SPITZBKRGEN AM) (i K KKN I,AM). 43 



It is likewise an observation there, that when \vc sec great 

 vapours or fogs in the air, and that such a vapour riscth 

 ahnost every moment, in a clear sunshiny clay, without wind 

 or other causes, the cold weather is about to remit ; but when 

 the air is overburdened by these vapours the clouds are dis- 

 sipated, and they last a great while, with constant wind. 

 Such vapours as we see in the air stick to our deaths and 

 hair like sweat. 



Out of these small vapourous drops the snow is first gene- 

 rated. First of all you see a small drop, as big as a single 

 sand. This is augmented or increased by the fog, until it 

 cometh to be like unto a shield or plate, with six corners, as 

 clear and transparent as glass ; to these six corners sticks 

 the fog like drops ; then it freezes and splits asunder, so 

 that you see the figure of a star, which yet is still frozen 

 together, until in time it is quite parted or divided asunder 

 one from the other ; and then you see a star with six points, 

 which points are not yet quite frozen, because there are still 

 hanging some wet drops between the points ; until it at 

 length assumes the perfect form of a star, with points serrated 

 at the sides, like feme, on the points whereof still hang 

 some drops, as you see at e, which are lost at last ; and so it 

 is turned into an exact and perfect star, and this is the 

 formation of the snowy star, which is seen in the severest 

 frosts so long until at last it looseth all its points. As to the 

 many sorts of snow that fall in S/ntzbcrgcn, and in what 

 weather, I have made these following observations and dis- 

 tinctions. Fig. 1, in the plate, showeth the snow that fiilleth 

 when it is tolerably cold and rainy withal ; then it falls like 

 vuito small roses, needles, and small corns : when the cold 

 weatlicr doth remit, the snow falleth like stars, with many 

 points, like the leaves of feme (fig. 2.) If it be only a fog, 

 and it snoweth much, it looketh as you see fig. o ; if it is 

 very cold and windy, like fig. 4 ; when it is very cold, and 

 not windy withal, the snow falleth like stars, in a cluster, 



