The Molecular Tactics of a Crystal #250797

§1. MY subject this evening is not the physical properties of crystals, not even their dynamics; it is merely the geometry of the structure — the arrange ment of the molecules in the constitution of a crystal. Every crystal is a homogeneous assemblage of small bodies or molecules. The converse proposition is scarcely true, unless in a very extended sense Of the term crystal 20 below). I can best explain a homo geneous assemblage of molecules by asking you to think of a homogeneous assemblage of people. To be homogeneous every person of the assemblage must be equal and Similar to every other: they must be seated in rows or standing in rows in a perfectly similar manner. Each person, except those on the borders of the assemblage, must have a neighbour on one Side and an equi-distant neighbour on the other: a neigh bour on the left front and an equi-distant neighbour behind on the right, a neighbour on the right front and an equi-distant neighbour behind on the left. His two neighbours in front and his two neighbours behind are members of two rows equal and Similar to the rows.