THE 
EDINBURGH NEW 
PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. 
On Columnar Crystallization of Ground-Ice. By the Rev. 
Wituram Scorgssy, D.D., F.R.SS. Lond. and Edin., 
Member of the Institute of France, &c., &e. (With a Plate.) 
Communicated by the Author. 
The configurations assumed by the crystallization of water, 
and condensed aqueous vapour, present, within the limits of 
the specific angle of crystallization, an endless variety both 
in structure and beauty. Opportunity for examining the 
singularly elegant forms exhibited in snow-crystals, was 
abundantly afforded me whilst engaged in Arctic enter- 
prise and adventures,—so that I was enabled to sketch a 
large number of these configurations, out of which nearly a 
hundred varieties were selected for publication in the “ Ac- 
count of the Arctic Regions.’ Other crystalline forms, de- 
rived from the consolidation of dew, in the form of hoar-frost, 
have subsequently engaged my attention, and many deli- 
eately beautiful specimens have from time to time been figured. 
From the feathery ice, too, formed, by the deposition of mois- 
ture in rooms, on the inside of the windows, when micro- 
scopically examined, many examples of singular beauty of 
the dendritical class of figures have been obtained. Buta 
curious species of aqueous crystallization, which I had not 
previously thought of examining, engaged my attention dur- 
ing a recent visit to Gateshaw, Roxburghshire, the residence 
of my friend and near connection, William Ker, Esq., which, 
from the variety and beauty of configuration, it may not bo 
uninteresting to describe. 
The species of crystals referred to occurs, generally, just 
VOL. XLVIII. NO. XCV.—JAN. 1850. A 
