Moreover, it was frequently observed that the right-hand faces (110) and (̄110) of the primary prismform p were much more brilliant and truly plane than those on the left hand, (1̄10) and (̄1̄10), which were usually dull and often curved, as were also frequently the faces of the left-hand forms s and n. The right-hand distinguishing forms m and o, on the contrary, were generally most brilliant and gave admirable reflections of the goniometer signal-slit.

Fig. 65.—Crystal of Calcium Dextro-Glycerate.

Fig. 66.—Stereographic Projection of Calcium Dextro-Glycerate.

The following table represents the results of the angular measurements, twelve different well-formed individual crystals having been employed. The angles marked with an asterisk were the important angles the mean observed values of which were accepted as correct, being the best measured angles, and which were therefore used as the basis of the calculations.

Table of Interfacial Angles of Calcium Glycerate.
Angle measured.No. of measurements.Limits.Mean observed.Calculated.
{ap = 100 : 1104252° 32′54° 16′53° 29′*
{pp = 110 : ̄1102072 773 3373 473° 2′
{ac = 100 : 0011368 2269 4269 369 6
{cr′ = 001 : ̄2011352 452 3152 13*
{r′a = ̄201 : ̄1001358 3558 4658 41*
cm = 001 : 0111031 4732 1932 332 2
r′n = ̄201 : ̄2̄11229 4329 4829 4529 47
{ao = 100 : 111753 5954 1054 353 54
{om = 111 : 011718 2018 3518 2618 29
{ma = 011 : ̄10013107 22108 24107 41107 37
{an = ̄100 : ̄2̄111162 3263 4463 663 10
{ns = ̄2̄11 : ̄1̄111 21 3521 27
{sa = ̄1̄11 : 100394 4995 3495 1895 23
{po = 110 : 111943 5144 4444 3544 38
{oc = 111 : 001932 5633 1533 733 7
{cs = 001 : ̄1̄11741 3243 242 1042 17
{sp = ̄1̄11 : ̄1̄10759 1560 5459 5959 58
{pc = ̄1̄10 : 00̄11477 278 2177 4277 45
{cp = 00̄1 : 11016101 39103 36102 16102 15
{pm = 110 : 011952 1553 2552 4252 41
{mn = 011 : ̄2̄11579 579 2679 1579 12
{np = ̄2̄11 : ̄1̄10547 4148 2348 448 7
{pr′ = 110 : ̄20114106 35108 42108 5108 1
{r′p = ̄201 : ̄1̄102670 5473 3271 5571 59
{ps = ̄1̄10 : 1̄1̄1566 4267 1767 467 5
{sr′ = 1̄1̄1 : 20̄1640 3641 2941 540 56
pm = ̄110 : 011375 576 2175 3775 45

There is a moderately good cleavage parallel to the basal plane c = {001}.

The optical properties afford conclusive proof of the monoclinic nature of the symmetry. The plane of the optic axes is perpendicular to the possible symmetry plane, b = {010}, and the first median line makes an angle of 23° with the vertical axis c, emerging consequently nearly normal to the basal plane c = {001}, so that a section-plate parallel to the c-faces, or a tabular crystal or cleavage plate parallel to c, shows the optic axial rings and brushes well. The values of the apparent optic axial angle in air, 2E, and of the true optic axial angle within the crystal, 2Va, the latter measured with the aid of a pair of accurately ground section-plates perpendicular to the first and second median lines and immersed in oil, are given in the next table.

2E2Va
Forlithiumlight51° 35′34° 56′
sodium52° 30′35° 28′
thallium53° 50′36° 16′