104 SYLVAN WINTER. 



than at its apex, the length from base to apex 

 being from a half to three-quarters of an inch, 

 and giving to each twig the'' general appearance 

 of a small comb. The crystals were ranged, 

 (taking the horizontal direction from base to 

 apex already mentioned) in parallel lines. The 

 horizontal direction of these icicles was what 

 gave them their peculiarity, and the general effect 

 produced by the covering of every twig of this 

 large Elm in the manner described was singularly 

 beautiful. It was curious to note that the hoar 

 on each leaf or stem of the evergreens affected 

 by this frost took the form of the leaf or stem. 

 The leaf-margins of Holly and Box, for instance, 

 and of other evergreens were incrusted with ice 

 in such a way as to extend the peculiar formation 

 of each; and here also in some of the large 

 leaves of Holly the incrustation of ice was from 

 a half to three-quarters of an inch in breadth, 

 and the curious effect was witnessed of an indented 

 margin of ice, which, contrasting with the dark- 

 green colour of the Holly, looked singularly pretty. 

 The leaves of Box, being much smaller and more 

 numerous, though not serrated on their edges 



