Columnar Crystallization of Ground- Ice. o 
or spiculz, and these standing perpendicularly on a base of 
frozen soil or gravel, and very commonly capped with por- 
tions of earthy matter or particles of gravel, necessarily pre- 
sented the miniature forms of architectural remains. In many 
portions the resemblance was equal to that of miniature 
models of diversified series of columns, sometimes bearing a 
rough sort of architrave, sometimes standing separate or 
naked. Frequently the eye could penetrate betwixt a double 
row of numerous columns, resembling (except as to deviations 
from a perfect line in position) the vista of a cathedral nave 
or aisle. 
Many portions of these crystalline formations afforded strik- 
ing representations of the columnar remains of some Grecian 
temple, or relics of eastern architectural structures. In 
other species of formation were found many resemblances 
of ruins of edifices, ornamented with pinnacles or minarets. 
Sometimes, by reason of the higher position of the base 
of a central portion of an aggregation of columns, a resem- 
blance to a doorway was produced, exposing a deep recess 
within, as in figure 8; and sometimes, as will be seen in 
figures 9 and 12, a happy resemblance of a fine, round-arched 
doorway. Nor was tracery or other ornament altogether 
wanting ; for some of the thin needles were crossed by narrow 
lines or marks singularly approaching the effect of architec- 
tural ornament. 
Some cavernous arrangements of columns were met with, 
which reminded each of our party, who examined them, of 
basaltic formations, suggesting a likeness, in one instance, 
to Fingal’s Cave. 
An humbler resemblance of the general body of these 
erystallizations,—as, without particular examination, they 
appeared sustaining, in large extents of surface, rough 
masses of earth and gravel on their summits,—was that of 
the cauliflower. But, whenever examined in detail, this ap- 
parent characteristic was immediately resolved into the more 
beautiful forms of architectural models. 
The continuance of the frost during the day gave, as I have 
intimated, every opportunity for examining these varied and 
beautiful formations ; for, though the sun shone brightly, con- 
