Sd Miscellaneom Intelligence, 



cular and uniform arrangement of the ice at the bottom of the 

 water did not permit the supposition that it had been precipitated 

 from the surface. 



M. Merian then endeavours to explain the effect by consider- 

 ing the water, though cooled at the surface by atmospheric 

 cold, so mixed by its running motion and by the wind, as to have 

 an equable temperature throughout, notwithstanding the dif- 

 ference of specific gravity between water at 40° and 32°. Thus 

 the temperature of the bottom and the surface are rendered the 

 same, and in this state, he considers the prominent bodies fixed 

 at the bottom as offering points of attachment for the ice to be 

 formed upon much more advantageous than the agitated surface, 

 and this, in addition to their influence as nuclei of crystallization, 

 as sufficient to determine the formation of ice there. The water, 

 therefore, becomes ice in these situations, and especially in those 

 places where projection offers shelter from the impetuosity of 

 the current. The continued motion of the water prevents the 

 formation of large masses, just as saline solutions, when stirred, 

 deposit small crystals, and in consequence, only agglomerations 

 of small plates are formed. When of a certain size, the force of 

 the current and their lightness, causes their separation, and rise 

 to the surface, bearing up, frequently, portions of earth and 

 small stones. 



M. Merian then collects together and compares the evidence of 

 preceding writers, at length, but finds nothing which is inexplica- 

 ble, or in discordance with the circumstances under which this 

 theory explains the formation of ground ice. — Bib. {7m2;.,xxviii. 

 1S5. 



7. Luminous StioW' storm on Lochaioe. — Towards the latter end 

 of March, in 1813, a shower of snow fell on Lochawe, in Argyle- 

 shire, which alarmed or astonished those by whom it was wit* 

 nessed, according as they were influenced by superstition or 

 curiosity. Some gentlemen who had crossed the lake in the 

 morning had a good opportunity of marking the phenomenon. All 

 had been calmly beautiful during the day, and they were re- 

 turning homewards from Ben Cruachan, when the sky becoming 

 suddenly gloomy, they rowed more smartly towards the shore, in 

 order to avoid the threatened storm. In a few minutes, however, 

 they were overtaken by a shower of snow, and immediately after, 

 the lake, whicli was of glassy smoothness, with their boat, clothes, 

 and all around, presented a luminous surface, forming one huge 

 sheet of fire. Nor were the exposed parts of their bodies sin- 

 gular in this respect, for, to the eye, they all seemed to burn, 

 although without any feeling of warmth. When they applied 

 their hands to any of the melting snow, the luminous substance 

 adhered to them, as well as the moisture ; and this property was 



