SNOW CRYSTALS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 91, 24 November 1911, Page 5

SNOW CRYSTALS.

Familiar as are snow crystals to some of us, few people are aware that Nature never duplicates her designs in the formation of these marvellous ice-jewels.

By some strange law which governs Nature, the rule of six is always carried out in the formation of a snow crystal ; they always retain the hexagonal in outline, or the six sides. No matter what intricate design they follow, be they star-shaped, flowers, pin-wheels, duplicates of cufl buttons, or leaf-like, there are always six branches. At first glance the open, feathery type of crystal appears to be the most beautiful design ; but a closer study of the more solid, compact types of crystal shows them to be even more wonderful.

The large feathery crystals come from low-lying storm-clouds, in the big, warm clouds which assemble quickly in low altitudes. Frequently these showy crystals drop from clouds above which the sun is shining.

The solid crystal usually comes from a distance of some seven or eight miles further Ih n the most daring aeroplane has yet presumed to venture. Far on high, in this altitude, whence the great blizzards come the atom of a snow crystal starts forth from a mere dot of ice, which, in a lower, warmer altitude would be a drop of rain.

The atom starts to descend, but is again and again caught back into space by uprushing clouds, and perhaps buffeted about for many days, meeting many ever-changing currents of air, electricity, and moisture, putting forth its compact, six-sided, prism-like branches as it slowly develops, a mere plaything for the capricious howling blizzard, until finally the crystal solidfies, becoming thicker and heavier, and then,, owing to its increae'ng weight, it finally desc nds to ear Ji.

SUv.ngely mysterious and wonderful are the. snow crjstals ; each design a perfect art production in itself.

They have, however, been successfully photographed, and their beauty of form and design has appealed to decorators, jewellers, designers of porcelain and glass ; while their value as unique patterns for silk and fabric workers may readily be understood.