We find a report in French journals that M. Gannal has succeeded in
obtaining _crystals_, having all the property of the diamond, through
the mutual reaction of phosphorus water and bisulphide of carbon upon
each other for the space of fifteen weeks.
The crystals were found to be so hard that no file would act upon them.
They cut glass like ordinary diamonds, and scratched the hardest steel.
In brilliancy and transparency they were in no way inferior to the best
jewels, and some possessed a lustre surpassing that of most real
stones.
For reference we record the cost of materials for flint-glass, say in
1840 to 1845, as follows:--
Litherage, or red lead, cost 6-1/2 cts. per lb.
Pearlash, 6 " "
Nitre, 6 " "
Silex, 0-1/2 " "