86 



THREE KINGDOMS. 



SNOW CRYSTALS. DRAWN BY CORWIN LINSON. 



To have these crystal pictures valuable, we must 

 notice the conditions which prevail as the snow falls. 

 Look at the thermometer and barometer, and note the 

 strength of the wind, as well as the date. Attention 

 to these details will enable us to decide whether or 

 not snow-crystals vary in shape with heat and cold 

 and density of air, etc. 



The frost-pictures on the window, too, are well 

 worthy your attention. Each form is fashioned ac- 

 cording to some fixed law ; yet so varied are the beau- 

 tiful shapes, so intricate the crystalline curves and 

 angles, that it requires much patient study to trace 

 the operation of cause and effect. Many of our mem- 

 bers have photographic outfits, and they could render 

 valuable service by securing pictures of these fairy 

 frost-pencillings. 



Indoors, again, the microscope reveals a world rival- 

 ling in beauty and infinity of extent the outer world 

 that is open to our unaided vision ; and this instru- 

 ment can be used in the city as well as in the country, 

 and in winter as well as in summer. 



