2. The body formed by crystallizing; as, silver on
precipitation forms arborescent crystallizations.
Note: The systems of crystallization are the several classes
to which the forms are mathematically referable. They
are most simply described according to the relative
lengths and inclinations of certain assumed lines
called axes; but the real distinction is the degree of
symmetry characterizing them. 1. {The Isometric, or
Monometric, system} has the axes all equal, as in the
cube, octahedron, etc. 2. {The Tetragonal, or Dimetric,
system} has a varying vertical axis, while the lateral
are equal, as in the right square prism. 3. {The
Orthorhombic, or Trimetric, system} has the three axes
unequal, as in the rectangular and rhombic prism. In
this system, the lateral axes are called, respectively,
macrodiagonal and brachydiagonal. -- The preceding are
erect forms, the axes intersecting at right angles. The
following are oblique. 4. {The Monoclinic system},
having one of the intersections oblique, as in the
oblique rhombic prism. In this system, the lateral axes
are called respectively, clinodiagonal and
orthodiagonal. 5. {The Triclinic system}, having all
the three intersections oblique, as in the oblique
rhomboidal prism. There is also: 6. {The Hexagonal
system} (one division of which is called Rhombohedral),
in which there are three equal lateral axes, and a
vertical axis of variable length, as in the hexagonal
prism and the rhombohedron.
Note: The Diclinic system, sometimes recognized, with two
oblique intersections, is only a variety of the
Triclinic.