io8 Language Through Nature 



being spotlessly white we say that it is ' ' white as 

 snow." Some of these crystals are flat slabs with 

 six sides. Others are stars with six rods or spikes 

 springing from the center. Others have each of 

 the six spikes formed like a delicate fern. Thou- 

 sands of different forms of snowflakes have been 

 found, yet they are all on the same plan. They all 

 have six sides or six points. They are all made 

 dazzlingly white by the reflection of the light from 

 the faces of the crystals and the tiny air bubbles 

 within them. 



If you hold some snow in your hand it soon 

 melts, and you have only a little water left. The 

 crystals are all gone and the air bubbles are set 

 free. Nothing is left to act as looking-glasses to 

 reflect the light. 



Adapted from Arabella Buckley. 



Look for" crystals in the snow. Do you find many differ- 

 ent forms ? Count the faces or points. 



Place a crystal on your sleeve or mitten and see it sparkle 

 as the faces reflect the light. 



Six forms of snow crystals 



