124 From Matter to Man. 



fully we require to enlarge our basis of energy. This 

 we do as follows : — 



The earth as a magnet exudes energy from its 

 entire surface; in most intensity, however, near the 

 poles. This upward force is ever at work converting 

 every projecting point of matter above the local sur- 

 face of the globe into a pole of either north or south 

 polarity : a fact well exemplified by all stationary 

 iron work — gates, railings, lamp-posts, rain-conductors, 

 railway bridges, even the Crystal Palace and the 

 Forth Bridge — manifesting, in our latitudes, a north 

 polarity at their tops and a south polarity at their 

 bases.* 



The pebble or excrescence raised above the surface 

 of the ice is thus a minute pole to the earth, not truly 

 exuding much force, but sufficient to attract and 

 repel minute objects. This force is increased when 

 ice or snow particles accidentally drift in behind it : 

 for the strength of a natural, as of an artificial 

 magnet, is according to its size. 



The mid-rib of a snow-leaf, accompanied by side- 

 ribs as in the frost-fern, thus shoots up by polaric law, 

 and is added to by like-material-attraction from the 

 clouds of flying drift until, as described, a complete 

 leaf or feather is formed by the concerted influence of 

 the primary laws. Other mid-ribs and leaves from 

 the same root also shoot up and become completed, 

 each leaf necessarily repelling the other (like poles 



* Every mountain, consequently, should be a pole, and ought to 

 deflect slightly the needle of a passing balloon. 



