Etch pits and dehydration nuclei on crystals of gypsum

Abstract

A study has been made of the development of etch pits and dehydration nuclei on the (010) face of crystals of gypsum. The etch pits marked the sites of features that extended into the crystals. Dehydration nuclei in general did not occur at the same sites as etch pits. The nature of the sites favourable for the formation of etch pits and of dehydration nuclei is discussed.