280 



Snow Crystals. 



smoky appearance, that is not uncommon on the advent of snow. 

 At 9h. 15m. a.m. few snow crystals commenced falling; at 

 lOh. 30m. a.m. the temperature at four feet was 25*8°, wet bulb 

 thermometer 25'3°; on the grass, 24*7°; whilst, if we turn to 

 the internal temperature, we shall observe that below the 

 surface — 



At two inches on drained land it was 25*8 D 

 At four „ „ „ 22-3° 



At six „ „ „ 20-8° 



At two inches on un drained land it was 22 - 8* 

 At four „ „ „ 20*5° 



At six „ • „ „ 20-8° 



The ground and air were, therefore, in such a condition that 

 the snow would not melt. At first the snow crystals were solid, 

 opaque, rounded, and confused in the interior, yet exhibiting 

 the usual six-sided or hexagonal form. Amongst these crystals 

 Fig. 1 a was detected, resembling six small feathers fastened 

 together, and presently another, Fig. 1 S, not unlike an arrange- 

 ment of fern fronds, having a central opaque star. From this 

 time (lOh. 15m. a.m.) the crystals were most beautiful. A 

 third, somewhat similar to the last-mentioned, yet having the 

 branches transparent and six-sided; then came a solid flat 

 lozenge. 



The next crystal is more 

 especially worth notice, as 

 it was changed artificially. 

 It is represented in Fig. 2 a, 

 fern-like at the- tips, but 

 feathered within in the man- 

 ner of a fir branch, quite 

 opaque and snowy white; 

 on breathing gently on this 

 crystal it partially melted, 

 and froze again as a colour- 

 less InnisjKirrvl six-rayed 

 star, Fig. 2 /3, quite simple 

 in its construction. 



Fig. 1 /3 represents ano- 

 ther star with spinoso edgei ; 

 tin 'iv was also a crystal 

 somewhat similar, in the 

 i< irm of a cuneate wheel, solid 

 and opaque. 

 Fig. 2 7 was a leafy star, then came quite a different crystal 

 from all the others, naked in its branches, but instead of being 

 flat, it took the form of a ball. 



