16 ROUND THE YEAR 



ray, and we could easily build up certain forms of 

 snow-stars entirely out of rhombs. (Fig. 5.) I do 

 not, however, know that snow-crystals are actually 

 so formed throughout, though some show lines of 

 union which point to such an arrangement. I have 

 seen crystals with the centre, others with the rays 

 thus divided. It is uncommon to find the centre 

 built up apparently of rhombs. Far more frequently 

 it consists of a tabular hexagon, often with long rays 



FIG. 5. Snow-star, subdivided into rhombs. 



proceeding from its angles, and with ribs or raised 

 lines taking the same direction. 



Snow-crystals are very seldom quite regular. 

 Perfect regularity would mean that the air was still, 

 of uniform temperature, and uniformly supplied with 

 moisture. There may, however, be a near approach 

 to such conditions, as the great regularity of some 

 few crystals shows. The fall of crystals through 



