Summary: Olivine crystals showing {100} deformation lamellae between crossed polars show spots streaked out transversely to 00l layer lines in X-ray oscillation photographs. Compositional inhomogeneity is ruled out by optics and electron microprobe analysis. Structurally controlled gliding on {100} (plane of greatest atom density) in the direction [001] (close-packing direction) is deduced on analogy with deformed metals. Mechanism of lamella formation is discussed in terms of superincumbent load; but it is concluded that pressures due to crystal growth are mainly responsible.