History

During the last two or three centuries, scientists have sought by careful research and costly experiments, to learn how Nature succeeds in isolating one of her elements in such a beautiful and enduring form. But while men have learned to measure the stars, and have conceived an idea of infinity; to harness electricity to wheels and engines and transmit thought on its ethereal waves; while they have filled their archives with a myriad discoveries of light, heat, force, and the whole kaleidoscope of Nature; established the natural rights of man and placed the compass of his mental horizon in the heavens among the gods ; while this and more has been accomplished, all they have learned of the crystallization of carbon is, that it can be done by heat and pressure, and in a very small way to do it. The Hindus believe to this day that rock crystal is transformed by lightning to diamond. This is a poetical fancy, but it may have some foundation in fact, for the power of electricity over the elements is great, and it is possible that under certain conditions, it could crystallize carbon as it can separate the component gases of water. Some have thought that diamonds grow. The Hindus noticed that they were often found, after heavy rains, in ground that had been carefully searched many times before. The rains undoubtedly washed away the clay which hid them from former searchers, but the finders said " No, they have grown since we looked last." There are men to-day, not ignorant or imaginative, who think it possible that diamonds grow by the slow precipitation of infinitesimal crystals to a nucleus.