50 PROF. OSBOKNE REYNOLDS ON THE MANNER IN 



of minute particles of ice fitting closely together, but with- 

 out any crystallization such as that seen in the snow-flake — 

 although the surface of the cone is striated, the strise radi- 

 ating from the vertex. 



Such a form and texture as this is exactly what would 

 result if the stones were formed in the manner described 

 above. When a particle which ultimately formed the ver- 

 tex of the cone, started on its downward descent and en- 

 countered other particles on its lower face, they would adhere 

 to it, however slightly. The mass, therefore, would grow 

 in thickness downwards ; and as some of the particles would 

 strike the face so close to the edge that they would 

 overhang, the lower face would continually grow broader, 

 and a conical form be given to the mass above. 



When found on the ground the hailstones are generally 

 imperfect ; and besides such bruises as may be ascribed 

 to the fall, many of them appear to have been imperfect 

 before reaching the ground. Such deformities, however, 

 may be easily accounted for. 



The larger stones fall faster than those which are smaller, 

 and consequently may overtake them in their descent ; and 

 then the smaller stones will stick to the larger and at once 

 deform them. But besides the deformation caused by the 

 presence of the smaller stone, the effect of the impact may 

 be to impart a rotary motion to the stone, so that now it 

 will no longer continue to grow in the same manner as 

 before. Hence we have causes for almost any irregularities 

 of form in the ordinary hailstone. 



It appears from the numerous accounts which have been 

 published, that occasionally hailstones are found whose 

 form is altogether different from that described above. 

 These, however, are exceptional ; and to whatever causes 

 they may owe their peculiarities, these causes cannot affect 

 the stones to wliich I am referring, 



