Might be a heat item.   E.g.  pass a gas through it and if the unit is hot,
the gas breaks down - e.g. think catalytic converter on a car.
Maybe just a heat shield.  Something ejected from plane, missile or car?

Is the outside molded or ground - is it out of nature with the inside ?
Also - a little acid on it might see if it is limestone or is it a glass.
Can a quantitative analysis of the material be done in the school ?
Is there complex hydrocarbons present or metals ? What is the
base material ?

The square does maximize surface area and minimize joint material.
Without more investigation it is impossible to figure.

With Phil's note, I vote catalytic filter or such.  Max surface
for more contact.   But who knows what nature did when Florida was
under water!   Might be a sponge :-)

Martin

>
> On 11/4/2010 1:48 PM, Phil Poland wrote:
>> Nature abhors a square. I'm sure it's man-made.
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>
>>

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