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Webster 1913 Edition

Chiastolite

Chi-as′to-lite

(kī̍-ăs′tō̍-līt)
,
Noun.
[Gr.
χιαστόσ
marked with a χ +
-lite
. See
Chiasm
. So called from the resemblance of the cross cuts of its crystals to the Greek letter χ.]
(Min.)
A variety of andalusite; – called also
macle
. The tessellated appearance of a cross section is due to the symmetrical arrangement of impurities in the crystal.

Webster 1828 Edition

Chiastolite

CHIASTOLITE

,
Noun.
A mineral, called also macle, whose crystals are arranged in a peculiar manner. The form of the crystals is a four-sided prism, whose bases are rhombs, differing little from squares. But each crystal, when viewed at its extremities, or on a transverse section, is obviously composed of two very different substances; and its general aspect is that of a black prism, passing longitudinally through the axis of another prism which is whitish. The term macle, as the name of a distinct species, applies to the whitish prisms only.

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