THE ARCTIC SEAS. 129 



decoivited with a fringe of delicate ciystals. Tlie 

 general form of these was that of a feather having 

 half of the vane removed. Near the surface of the 

 ropes was first a small direct line of very white 

 particles, constituting the stem or shaft of the 

 feather ; and from each of these fibres, in another 

 plane, proceeded a short delicate range of spiculae or 

 rays, discoverable only by the help of a microscope, 

 with which the elegant texture and systematic con- 

 struction of the feather were completed. Many of 

 these crj'stals, possessing a perfect arrangement of 

 the different parts corresponding with the shaft, 

 vane, and rachis of a feather, were upwards of an 

 inch in length, and three-fourths of an inch in 

 breadth. Some consisted of a single flake or feather; 

 but many of them gave rise to other feathers, which 

 sprang from the surface of the vane at the usual 

 angle. There seemed to be no limit to the magni- 

 tude of these feathers, so long as the producing cause 

 continued to operate, until their weight became so 

 great, or the action of the wind so forcible, that they 

 were broken off, and fell in flakes to the deck of 

 the ship."* 



In our own winters we are familiar enough with 

 snow ; but, probably, few are aware of the exceeding 

 beauty, regularity, and delicacy which mark each in- 

 dividual cr}'stal of this production. In our climate, 

 indeed, the temperature during a fall of snow is 

 rarely low enough for the form of the ciystals to be 

 perceived ; as they become slightly melted in passing 

 through the air, and many crystals adhere together, 



* Arct. Reg. i. 437. 

 K 



