82 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



coming larger and more complex bj tlie addition of brandies at tlie 

 angles. The triangular forms, sncli as Figs. 7 and 9, are less com- 

 mon tban the others figured, and occur usually in the greater storms. 

 Fig. 17 shows a very unique composite crystal, which, beginning in 

 the higher clouds as a simple hexagon, seen in the center, received 

 the peculiar additions which are well shown in the figure. Fig. 11 

 is exceedingly unusual. It appears to be a composite crystal formed 

 from two, each of which has been in some way broken apart, and the 

 portions shown were so brought in contact as to unite and form 

 a single crystal of very nearly the original form of each of its parts. 



The above are some of the more important of the many inter- 

 esting results which have come from our study of snow crystals. 

 They are given not merely as of value in themselves, but also in the 

 hope that others may be stimulated to undertake similar investiga- 

 tions, and that thus our knowledge of these charming objects may 

 be greatly increased. After what has already been said, it should 

 not be necessary to add that any one who engages in the study of 

 snow crystals will speedily find his task both absorbing and delight- 

 ful. There is no surer road to fairyland than that which leads to 

 the observation of snow forms. To such a student the winter storm 

 is no longer a gloomy phenomenon to be dreaded. Even a blizzard 

 becomes a source of keenest enjoyment and satisfaction, as it brings 

 to him, from the dark, surging ocean of clouds, forms that thrill his 

 eager soul with pleasure. 



Prof. William Trelease relates, in his address on Botanical Opportu- 

 nity, that when engaged with Prof. Gray in collecting and republishing 

 the botanical wintings of Dr. Engelmann, they were both surprised to see 

 how voluminous these works were. A few years later, when Prof. Trelease 

 had to arrange in form for preservation Dr. Engelmann's manuscript notes, 

 he was far more surprised at the extent of them than he had been on col- 

 lecting his printed works, for when mounted and bound they formed sixty 

 large volumes. " In addition to their intrinsic value, these are of more than 

 usual interest as showing the methodical manner in which Dr. Engelmann 

 worked. On his table seems to have been always a bundle of plants await- 

 ing study. As each specimen was examined its salient features were noted 

 and sketched on the back of an ever-ready prescription blank. When in- 

 terrupted, he laid his unfinished sketch away with the specimen, to resume 

 his observation and complete his study on the first opportunity, without 

 any doubt as to what had been seen in the first instance. And so from 

 individual to variety, from variety to species, from species to genus, and 

 from genus to family, his observations were preserved in memoranda that 

 facilitated the resumption of interrupted work at any time and after any 

 lapse of time." Thus the off moments in the work of a busy physician 

 were made to contribute to botanical knowledge, and a seemingly small 

 opportunity for investigation was converted into a great one. 



