The silica gel pseudomorph, and other stories

In Short

Edward Hart’s The Silica Gel Pseudomorph, and other stories is a lighthearted 1924 anthology of twenty short stories and sketches. Blending quirky scientific observation with American folk humor, medieval adventure, and autobiographical domestic comedy, the book wanders through varied landscapes—from the sandy coastal geology of South Jersey to the deserts of Utah, the ancient ruins of Rome, and the turbulent battles of the Wars of the Roses. Written primarily for the author’s own amusement and to entertain his son, the volume has endured as a charming artifact of early twentieth-century American storytelling.

The Story

The collection opens with the title piece, where geological descriptions of South Jersey's quartz and green sand beds give way to a absurd tall tale about a petrified Spanish nobleman dug out of the sea who turns out to be a bird-like creature that escapes an asylum. From this eccentric start, the book shifts fluidly across genres and settings.

Foolish criminals and mountain misadventures appear in tales like "Peep-Chick Mountain," where a red-headed robber attempts "Direct Action" by ambushing a baker's delivery cart for pie and cake instead of stealing chickens. In "Death Valley," a young woman named Jacqueline disguises herself as a boy named Jack to accompany her rough-around-the-edges uncle on an arduous prospecting expedition through the American West. Riding stubborn burros named Jenny, the duo learn to bake bread, manage firearms, and survive the desert trail, allowing Jack to overcome her fears while building a deep bond with her uncle.

Travel sketches and academic satire emerge in "The Professor's Story," detailing a trip to a international chemistry congress in Rome. Finding the academic presentations dominated by arrogant foreign professors dry and uninspiring, the protagonist abandons the lectures entirely to explore the Colosseum and the Roman Forum alongside an enthusiastic local guide. In "Just Samuel Jones," domestic life takes center stage as an analytical chemist who formulates toothpastes and perfumes in his attic laboratory navigates family disruptions, regional romances, and social expectations alongside his sister Tilly and their adopted charge Arma.

Scientific absurdity returns in "Jumping Steel," where an eccentric inventor formulates a springy molybdenum alloy. When attached to the soles of a shoe, the springs cause a tester to leap exponential distances—from two feet up to sixty-four feet per jump—until a catastrophic spring failure sends him hurtling into the Bushkill River at thirty miles an hour.

A dramatic shift in tone occurs in historical fiction pieces like "In the Days of the Roses," which recreates fifteenth-century England during the Yorkist and Lancastrian conflict. Archers John Fenchurch and Jabez clash in bloody skirmishes near St. Albans, unmasking old betrayals and dying rivalries before John finally secures a royal wedding at Warwick Castle.

The book closes on a personal note in "The Red Devil," an autobiographical romance set in the early days of motoring. The narrator purchases a noisy, bright red 1903 double-cylinder Ford car. Between managing constant mechanical repairs and negotiating a raise with his university president, he finds himself the target of local gossip started by a malicious rival, Jim Barkley. By confronting the slanderer directly at a local bank with witnesses in tow, the hero clears his name, wins over his beloved Sally, and concludes the collection with a joyful family engagement.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins A detailed breakdown of New Jersey's coastal sand formations pivots unexpectedly into a bizarre yarn about a petrified ocean traveler who comes back to life. Meanwhile, a red-headed mountain bandit holds up a delivery vehicle at gunpoint because he prefers baked goods to stealing farm livestock.

Into the desert and abroad Dressed in corduroy knickers, young Jacqueline traverses the Western trails on grunting burros with her uncle, learning self-reliance and marksmanship under the desert sun. Across the Atlantic, American academics ditch boring chemical lectures in Rome to sketch ancient ruins alongside a proud local guide.

Laboratory mischief and bouncing inventors An attic chemist builds a thriving cosmetic business while navigating small-town romantic complications and movie-going habits. In a neighboring town, an experimental metal spring attached to a shoe launches its tester across the landscape in terrifying, doubling bounds toward the river.

Archers and red automobiles Bowmen exchange fire and uncover dying secrets amidst the chaos of the Wars of the Roses near St. Albans. Back in early 1900s America, a young professor drives a noisy red Ford through town, clears his name of scandalous local rumors, and successfully proposes to his sweetheart.

The People

• Jack (Jacqueline): A slim, timid young woman who disguises herself as a boy to join her uncle on a desert prospecting expedition. She wants to prove her courage, struggles against her fear of firearms, and ultimately gains physical strength and self-confidence.
• Sam Jones: An analytical chemist who learned his craft from high school textbooks and kitchen experiments. He wants to build a successful business selling specialty soaps and talcum powders, remaining deeply practical despite his brusque, stilted mannerisms.
• The Professor / Narrator: A genial, observant academic and car enthusiast. He seeks intellectual stimulation and simple domestic happiness, navigating university politics, early automotive breakdowns, and small-town gossip with humor and steady resolve.
• Sally: The sweet, warm-hearted woman courted by the narrator. She wants to protect her lover's reputation against spiteful local rumors, remaining steadfastly loyal until their engagement is secured.
• John Fenchurch: A fifteenth-century archer fighting in the Wars of the Roses. He seeks justice and personal honor, confronting a dying enemy who mistakes him for a murdered nobleman before winning his bride at Warwick Castle.

In Its Own Voice

"True stories usually need modification and adornment if they are to remain interesting, and so many stories told him were embellished."

The author explains the origins of his tales in the opening dedication, noting they were written at night for his son and his own amusement.

"Hands up for pie!"

A red-headed robber leaps out from the bushes to hold up a baker's delivery wagon on a Jersey mountain road.

"I also discovered that it was necessary to spend three hours looking for the source of any trouble and but three minutes in fixing it."

The narrator reflects wryly on the mechanical realities of owning a bright red 1903 Ford automobile.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the collection explores the playful intersection between practical science and human imagination. Written by a professional chemist, the stories consistently demonstrate how rigorous technical knowledge—whether concerning soil composition, metallurgy, or chemical formulas—can easily slide into absurd tall tales, comedy, and wonder. The book champions curiosity, everyday resourcefulness, and the gentle humor found in small-town American life. Underneath its varied settings runs a clear appreciation for friendship, honest work, and the simple joy of telling a story for the sheer fun of it.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage American humor, cozy period vignettes, and the dry, observational wit of writers like Mark Twain or Frank Stockton will find much to love here. The narrative feels like sitting on a front porch listening to a well-read, slightly eccentric uncle tell stories that blend genuine history with outrageous exaggeration.

The collection moves at a brisk pace, alternating seamlessly between short slapstick sketches, Western travelogues, and romantic comedies. Modern readers should be prepared for its early twentieth-century conversational pacing, occasional period attitudes toward social classes, and brief digressions into obsolete scientific terminology or regional geography. However, these elements only add to its authentic historical character. What remains with you is the author's warmth, his sharp eye for human quirks, and an infectious delight in the art of the improbable yarn.