VIII. 



HOAR-FROST. 



UIESCENCE absolutely 

 of the atmosphere is the 

 condition precedent of 

 the maintenance of the 

 marvellously beautiful 

 manifestation of nature 

 called hoar-frost. The 

 sudden succession of 

 sharp frost to thick per- 

 meating fog or mist, hap- 

 pening in such a perfectly motionless state of the air, 

 occasions what, but for the easy explanation of its 

 origin, would be regarded as a curious phenome- 

 non. We remember one such manifestation that 

 impressed us by its singular beauty, and we took 

 careful note of all the circumstances connected 

 with it. The occasion was the 27th of December, 



