98 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
in mind the fact that crystals evolved within the upper 
clouds tend toward solidity and the crystals formed in lower 
clouds tend toward open branches and feathery forms, it is 
possible to trace the history and travels of a great many of 
the crystals. 
The beautiful details, the lines, rods, flowery geometrical 
tracings and delicate symmetrically arranged shadings to 
be found within the interior portions of most of the more 
compact tubular crystals, and in less degree within the more 
open ones, are due to minute inclusions of air. This in- 
cluded air prevents a complete joining of the water mole- 
cules; the walls of the resultant air tubes cause the absorp- 
tion and refraction of a part of the rays of light entering the 
crystal ;_ hence those portions appear darker by transmitted 
light than do the other portions. The softer and broader 
interior shadings may perhaps also be due, in whole or in 
part, to the same cause, but if so, the corresponding in- 
clusions of air must necessarily be much more attenuated 
and more widely diffused than in the former cases. We 
can only conjecture as to the manner in which these minute 
air tubes and blisters are formed. As no one can ever 
actually see the extremely minute water particles rush 
together and form themselves into snow crystals, the material 
and the manner in which the molecules of water are joined 
to form snow crystals is largely a matter of speculation. 
While it is true that the snow crystals form within the clouds, 
it does not therefore follow that they are formed from the 
coarse particles of which the clouds are composed in cold 
weather. We have good grounds for assuming that the 
true snow crystals are formed directly from the minute 
invisible atoms or molecules of water in the air, and not 
from the coarse particles in the clouds, as it is unlikely 
that these coarse particles could unite into snow crystals 
in so perfect a manner as to leave no trace of their union 
even when examined under powerful miscroscopes. — 
National Geographic Magazine. 
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CERAMIC 
INDUSTRY IN JAPAN 
IN the course of a recent interview a prominent ceramist 
of Japan gave the following notes regarding the Jap- 
anese porcelain industry: 
" In the manufacture of porcelain in Japan the greatest 
progress was made in the year 15 17. Our ancestors learned 
the way of making from China. At present the ceramic 
industry in China, once the leader of Japan, is declining of 
old age. For this reason one cannot now find a skilful 
Chinese potter. But from 151 7 to the present time the 
Japanese ceramist has upheld his reputation until his 
country is the most famous in the world. 
"Ceramic materials are scattered everywhere in Japan 
and are abundant. The people of Japan do not speak of 
porcelain, earthen ware or stone ware, but name the pottery 
from the place where it is made. Every place has a par- 
ticular and individual style, which is known all over the 
country. 
"The potter's wheel and the kiln are the important 
parts of the ceramic industry. One form of wheel has four 
small pits in the face of the disc, and in these the potter 
inserts a small stick to turn the wheel. Another form of 
wheel will be kicked and turned with the foot. The kiln is 
of simple construction, but it is easy to get the high tem- 
perature of Segar cone number 13. There is a curious 
custom when the potter begins his work of firing the kiln, 
for, as he closes it, a religious ceremony is performed to 
supplicate the god for his success. 
A skilful potter made two bowls on the wheel, and after 
burning they were weighed on the balance. Both were 
found to be the same weight. Dishes of three feet in diame- 
ter are also made on the wheel wdthout the use of moulds. 
From this you will see that they are very dexterous in hand 
work. In design also the Japanese potter is very skilful 
and to this much of his success is due. Therefore ceramics 
in Japan is very highly developed as an art but as an in- 
dustry there are very many points to be reformed." — 
Jeweler Circular. 
