It will in the first place be assumed for the sake of simplicity that the crystal to be investigated is immersed in a liquid having a refractive index as nearly as possible equal to the intermediate refractive index (β), so that light travelling along the optic axis t is not appreciably refracted on entering or leaving the crystal.

The observation is made in parallel ight between crossed nicols, which are rotated together till a position of extinction is reached, when the directions of vibration of the nicols wilI be parallel to those in the crystal. If the latter be now rotated on an axis parallel to one of these directions, it will in general show light throughout the revolution, except in the original position and that opposite to it. Occasionally, however, it will remain dark throughout; in that case the axis of rotation is the bisectrix of an optic axial angle.