Part 1

Transcriber’s Notes:

Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ in the original text. Equal signs “=” before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold= in the original text. Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. Illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs. Deprecated spellings have been preserved. Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.

SNOW-FLAKES:

A CHAPTER FROM THE

BOOK OF NATURE.

HAST THOU ENTERED INTO THE TREASURES OF THE SNOW? JOB xxxviii. 22.

“Acquaint thyself with God, if thou wouldst taste His works. Admitted once to his embrace, Thou shalt perceive that thou wast blind before; Thine eye shall be instructed; and thine heart, Made pure, shall relish with divine delight, Till then unfelt, what hands divine have wrought.” COWPER.

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, No. 28 CORNHILL, BOSTON.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

GEO. C. RAND & AVERY, STEREOTYPERS AND PRINTERS.

PREFACE

A brief article on Snow-flakes, in one of the periodicals published by the American Tract Society in the winter of 1862-3, accompanied by a cut exhibiting some of their forms, elicited from its readers many expressions of interest, and suggested the preparation of a book on this curious but generally little-known subject.

The beautiful forms of many of the snow-crystals were observed and sketched more than a century ago. The _Transactions of the Royal Society of London_, for 1755, contain representations of ninety-one varieties, with descriptions by Dr. Nettis. Captain William Scoresby, the eminent English navigator, has given, in his _Arctic Regions_, drawings of ninety-six varieties. More recently, numerous specimens, with accompanying descriptions, have been given to the public by James Glaisher, Esq., of Lewisham, England. It is from these sources, chiefly, that the figures here exhibited have been derived.

It has been no part of our design, in this work, to enter into any scientific statements concerning the snow-flakes, or the laws of their formation. A brief general description of them is all that has been attempted. Yet the reader should not, from this, infer that there is any question respecting the truthfulness of the sketches. The drawings were originally made with scientific precision, and have been carefully copied. A few simple figures at the top of page 11 are designed to show the primary geometrical _forms_ under which the snow-vapor crystallizes. With that exception, they are all representations of individual crystals, actually observed and sketched with the aid of the microscope.

It is proper to add, however, that these representations are highly magnified, especially those on the last two or three plates. The real size of the crystals observed by Scoresby varied from one thirty-fifth to one-third of an inch in diameter. Dr. Nettis remarks: “The natural size of most of the shining, quadrangular particles, and of the little stars of snow, as well the simple as the more compound ones, does not exceed the twentieth part of an inch.” The dimensions as well as form of the crystals seem to depend upon the amount of vapor in the atmosphere, the temperature, and other circumstances not easy to specify.

We may be permitted to express the hope that many of our readers will examine for themselves these beautiful productions of nature. In our own climate, the “treasures of the snow” are open to all who choose to explore them; and there can scarcely be an amusement more entertaining, and at the same time instructive, than that of observing and sketching these delicate crystals. No expensive or complicated apparatus is needed for this purpose. A good microscope is the chief requisite; besides which, a pair of dividers and a rule will be sufficient. We subjoin a statement from Mr. Glaisher of his own mode of making his examinations.

“For the information of those who would carefully observe snow-crystals, I may remark that my own plan of procedure is to expose a thick surface of plate-glass on the outer side of the window, resting on the ledge. Seated within the room, I am enabled, with comparative comfort, and at my leisure, to make my drawings and record my observations, the accuracy of which I am able to verify to my satisfaction, as the crystal received upon the cold surface of the glass, itself several degrees below freezing, remains a sufficient length of time for the requirements of the observer. In many cases, it becomes frozen to the glass, and is thus secured from the influence of the wind, which not unfrequently snatches away some most intricate form from the desiring eye of the observer.”

If this work shall be the means of introducing any of our readers to the knowledge of this interesting department of the Creator’s works, and eliciting those sentiments of admiration and reverence which his wonder-working power should inspire in every beholder, it will not have been issued in vain.

I. P. W.

BOSTON, 1863.

1. SNOW STRUCTURE, 13 2. UNITY IN DIVERSITY, 23 3. PERFECTION, 31 4. PURITY, 41 5. GRACE, 51 6. BEAUTY, 63 7. WEAKNESS, 75 8. POWER, 89 9. GLADNESS, 101 10. GLOOM, 115 11. BENEFICENCE, 125 12. INSTRUCTION, 139

Snow Structure

_He saith to the Snow, Be thou on the face of the Earth.—Job 37:6._

When the watery vapors in the atmosphere are in sufficient quantities to be precipitated to the earth, and at the same time their temperature is at or below the freezing point, their particles unite, but not as fluid drops. In approaching each other they arrange themselves in regular figures, called _crystals_. The various forms of these may be grouped into three general classes.

1. _Prismatic_, having three or six sides, usually the latter (page 11, figs. 2, 4). Scoresby compares the finest specimens of these to “white hairs cut into lengths not exceeding a quarter of an inch.”

2. _Pyramidal_, either triangular or hexagonal (figs. 5, 6). They are exceedingly small, being only one-thirtieth of an inch in hight.

3. _Lamellar_, consisting of thin and flat plates, some of them stelliform, having six points radiating from a center (fig. 11), and some hexagonal (page 21, fig. 1). Both these species are in infinite abundance, and of all sizes, from the smallest speck to one-third of an inch in diameter.

These three leading forms are endlessly combined, and give rise to innumerable varieties, from the simplest to the most complex. Pyramids are mounted on prisms, at one or both ends (page 11, figs. 7, 8); prisms are united in one star-like figure, like spokes of a wheel (fig. 10), and both are joined with plates in all conceivable forms of beauty and diversity. The specimens shown throughout our series of engravings illustrate these. The plates themselves are complex, showing within their outer boundaries white lines, which divide them into triangles, stars, hexagons, and other regular figures. Some plates are transparent, others opaque (page 21, fig. 13).

When the prisms are combined with plates, it is generally in the same plane, but sometimes the former are set perpendicularly to the surfaces of the latter (page 29, figs. 18, 19, 20, 21). These singular figures resemble a wheel with its axle. Scoresby says that on one occasion, snow of this kind fell upon the deck of his ship to the depth of three or four inches!

In some instances the central plate has little prisms or spines projecting from it like hairs, on one or both sides, at an angle of sixty degrees. Sometimes, instead of a plate, the central part is a little rough mass like a hailstone, bristling with spines, somewhat resembling a chestnut-bur.

Much attention has been given to the meteorological conditions of the atmosphere during the fall of snow, to ascertain in what circumstances the different varieties of crystals are produced. Nothing very definite, however, is discoverable in this respect. The general facts are thus summed up by Mr. Scoresby: “When the temperature of the air is within a degree or two of the freezing point, and much snow falls, it frequently consists of large, irregular flakes, such as are common in Britain. Sometimes it exhibits small granular, or large rough, white concretions; at others it consists of white spiculæ, or flakes composed of coarse spiculæ, or rude, stellated crystals formed of visible grains. But in severe frosts, though the sky appears perfectly clear, lamellar flakes of snow of the most regular and beautiful forms are always seen floating in the air and sparkling in the sunbeams; and the snow which falls in general is of the most elegant texture and appearance.”

Of the hidden causes which originate these beautiful productions, nothing whatever is known. Some have imagined that they are to be found in the forms of the primal atoms of water, which are assumed to be triangles or hexagons, and which, therefore, uniting by their similar sides or edges, must give rise to crystals of regular forms. Others find the solution in magnetic or electrical affinities, which are supposed to require the particles to unite by some law of polar attraction. But even if these theories were demonstrated, they would explain nothing. _Why_ the particles must unite in these particular methods, or what is the nature of attraction itself, no man knows. It is sufficient to say, with the learned and devout navigator who has done most to make us acquainted with these beautiful objects, “Some of the general varieties in the figures of the crystals may be referred to the temperature of the air; but the particular and endless modifications of similar classes of crystals can only be referred to the will and pleasure of the great First Cause, whose works, even the most minute and evanescent, and in regions the most remote from human observation, are altogether admirable.”

* * * * *

Snow is formed in the higher regions of our atmosphere. It is the wild, raging water of the ocean, the gentle rill of the mountains, the beautiful lake, and the vilest pond on earth, all taxed and made to contribute at the bidding of their Lord to this department of his treasure-house. They send up their tribute in the finest particles of moisture; the steady contribution coming up from all parts of the globe indiscriminately. No matter what king claims the fields and rivers and mountains to minister to his wants, our God makes them all fill his treasury. The vapor comes up like gold, in grains and nuggets. It must be cast into the King’s furnace and formed into his coin, before he can use it. Now tell me how he makes snow out of vapor. You can answer it in one sentence,—by diminishing the heat. Easily said; but who can do it? A profound philosopher, in remarking on the magnificent glacial phenomenon of January, 1845, when for eight days there was one of the most wonderful displays of the effects of cold perhaps ever witnessed in our latitude, when the earth and every twig seemed covered with diamonds, says of it, “Job speaks of the balancing of the clouds as among the mysteries of ancient philosophy. But how much nicer the balancing and counter-balancing of the complicated agencies of the atmosphere, in order to bring out this glacial miracle in full perfection! What wisdom and power short of infinite could have brought it about?” It is equally appropriate to ask, What but infinite power could produce all the agencies and instruments needed in creating one flake of snow? The tiny creature says, as you examine it,—

“The hand that made me is divine!” Kirk.

_The First Snow._

I love to watch the first soft snow, As it slowly saileth down, Purer and whiter than the pearls That grace a monarch’s crown; Though winter wears a freezing look And many a surly frown.

It lighteth like the feathery down Upon the naked trees, And on the pale and withered flowers That swing in every breeze; And they are clothed in such bright robes As summer never sees.

It bringeth pleasant memories— The falling, falling snow— Of neighing steeds, and jingling bells, In the happy long ago, When hopes were bright, and health was good, And the spirits were not low.

And it giveth many promises Of quiet joys in store, Of bliss around the blazing hearth When daylight is no more,— Such bliss as nowhere else hath lived Since the Eden days were o’er.

God bless the eye that views, with mine, The falling snow to-day; May Truth her pure white mission spread Before its searching ray, And lead, with dazzling garments, toward The “strait and narrow way.”

Julia H. Scott.

Peboan.

Now, o’er all the dreary North-land, Mighty Peboan, the Winter, Breathing on the lakes and rivers, Into stone had changed their waters; From his hair he shook the snow-flakes Till the plains were strewn with whiteness, One uninterrupted level, As if, stooping, the Creator With his hand had smoothed them over.

Longfellow.

Unity in Diversity.

_The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm.—Nahum 1:3._

Obedience to law is apparent in all the works of the Creator. However varied or complicated their structure, however intricate their motions, however multiform their aspects, there is an all-wise design pervading them, a clue running through all diversities, and reducing all to unity and harmony in the grand scheme of the universe. The Lord hath _his_ way in them all; and that is the single line of righteousness and beneficence.

Amid the endless varieties of the snow-crystals a singular law of unity is apparent. It is the _angle of sixty degrees_, or some multiple of it. This is one-sixth of the complete circle; hence the hexiform or six-sided configuration of its prisms and plates. It is curious to glance over the patterns which we exhibit, and trace the operations of this law. Let the congealing vapor assume what fantastic shapes it will, let it riot in the profusion of its beautiful efflorations, yet it can never escape the control of that central attraction which binds them all in one. Hence their name, _flakes, i. e._, flocks; the fleecy crystals, though spreading abroad each in its utmost individual liberty, being still retained within one ownership and belonging to one fold.

Like this law of unity in nature is God’s great law of love in his moral realm. It is the principle of order and harmony throughout his intelligent universe. God’s own nature is love, and it reigns among all the shining ranks of heaven. And in the numberless worlds which fill immensity, and through the utmost variety of capacities and grades of beings, it needs but the fulfillment of this law to secure universal joy. Love is the one principle which binds all individuals and provinces of his rational kingdom to each other, and each to his throne.

* * * * *

One great law of crystallization controls the whole snow world. Every flake has a skeleton as distinct as the human skeleton, and yet the individual flake is as different from its neighbor as man is from his. The fundamental law of the snow is to crystallize in three, or some multiple of three. All its angles must be sixty, or one hundred and twenty. All its prisms and pyramids must be triangular or hexagonal; whether spicular, or pyramidal, or lamellar, it ever conforms to its own great law of order, and thus conveys delight to the eye, and most delight to him who, having pleasure in the works of God, searches them out.

Some men reproach the Protestant Church for its various sects. But let such men examine God’s works. Unity in variety is the law of the snow. There is a Trinity in it. Every snow-flake imitates its Creator by being three in one. It has a stern basis of fundamental doctrine; and it would excommunicate any snow-flake that tried to stand on any other. But around that fundamental unity is the free play of individual peculiarities. All snow-flakes are alike essentially, while probably no two are identical in details.

Kirk.

The Snow-Shower.

Still falling, falling, falling fast, These messengers have come at last, All floating through the chilly air, On softest pinions, white and fair, Each like a dove with downy breast, High fluttering o’er its icy nest.

So coming, coming, coming still From heaven, what daily blessings fill Life’s chalice with full many a joy, Which Time’s cold hand can not destroy; So pure, so holy at their birth, They sweetly charm the ills of earth.

Upon my heart, when lone and still, As freely may pure gifts distill, Awakening strains of sweetest peace, Whose melody shall never cease, Till, far beyond the reach of time, They swell heaven’s harmony sublime.

Drown.

To a Snow-Flake.

Thou rain-drop, snow-crystalled, most fragile and fair! Borne from the far cloud-land and fashioned in air,

What measures befit thee? Some song of the spheres Should chant out thy praise, with the swift-rolling years.

Like a gem cast in setting from heaven’s bright floor, Thou art pure, and all perfect, like the One we adore.

Three stars make thy glory,—the mystical sign Of the Three named in heaven,—One Spirit Divine!

I behold thee afar, lest a warm human touch, And the breath of my singing, with praise over-much,

Should make thee to perish, thy grace disappear, And thy soft beauty vanish, dissolved in a tear.

Like thee I have come from a realm far away, And like thee I shall live but a brief mortal day.

Like thee I shall find neither haven nor rest, And descend like thee, once, to the Earth’s frozen breast;

But thou shalt move onward, completing God’s will Through the courses of Nature, thy round to fulfill;

A drop in the river—a flake mid the snows— A gleam in the rainbow—the dew on the rose.

Then go, little snow-flake! I prize thee not less, That our paths must divide, and I onward must press;

For I must mount upward yet higher and higher, Nevermore to descend with heart-baffled desire;

For the light of God’s Being is kindled in mine, And my soul in his presence for ever must shine,

Where the purest snow-crystal looks tarnished and dim, By the white jasper walls; where the saints’ choral hymn

Floats up day and night through the fair golden street, God’s praise on their lips, and their crowns at his feet,

Exchanging Earth’s crosses, the frost and the blight, The snows of the valley, and mists of the night,

The brightest earth-blossoms, all the world can afford, For Sharon’s red rose, and the smile of the Lord.

S. D. C.

PERFECTION.

_Praise the Lord, Snow and Vapors, fulfilling his word.—Psalm 148:8._

A striking characteristic of the snow-crystal is its perfection of form. Whatever be the type of its structure, that type is completed with the utmost regularity and nicety. Every angle is of the prescribed size,—not a degree more or less. The number of parts is uniform. You will never see a star with five rays, nor seven. With a precision which art would strive in vain to excel, the pattern is carried out in detail with the most exact symmetry, and in the most nicely-adjusted proportions.

It is so in _every_ snow-crystal, unless broken or otherwise injured. God has no show specimens in his cabinets, elaborately finished, while the mass of them are left imperfect. There are no obscure corners, no back apartments, where the half-formed, ill-shapen, abortive portions of his work are gathered, out of sight. The tiniest speck that is lost in the countless multitudes that robe the earth is as perfect as if the skill of the Creator had been expended upon this alone. The flake that falls in the vast polar solitudes, where no eye of man will ever see it, or that plunges to instant death in the ocean, is wrought with as much care and fidelity as if it were to sparkle in a regal crown.

If there be apparent exceptions to this general statement, they are only apparent, and even these confirm the fact. In ordinary storms, large portions of the flakes are broken, sometimes reduced almost to shapeless dust. Often the flakes, coming in contact with each other, adhere, and constitute masses which are very irregular. Sometimes, however, this union gives rise to regular forms, as twelve-pointed stars, which are believed to be two hexagons, the one of them overlapping the other. (Page 11, fig. 22, 23.) A few cases have been observed where a ray or point of a star has become the germinating center of a twin or parasitic star, forming together a structure anomalous as a whole, though regular in each of its individual parts. (Page 99, fig. 2.)

This universal perfection of figure results from the constancy and uniformity of the laws which govern the process of crystallization. But it is not too much to go beyond these, and behold a Divine mind which loves beauty for its own sake, and delights to sow it broadcast throughout creation. Though there be no human eye to behold and to admire, they will not therefore be unbeheld. It is not true that

“Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And _waste_ its sweetness on the desert air.”

The universe is full of conscious intelligence, from him who is the “Father of lights,” downward through endless ranks of being, and the hymn of admiring praise perpetually ascends to him for the perfection and glory of his works.

* * * * *

Obey God. His laws to the snow-flake are designed to make it beautiful and useful. So are his laws to you. He tells the flake to put on such a form and go to such a place, and it goes without murmuring or reluctance. Obey God, and you will put on the beauty of holiness and bless the world.

Kirk.

_The Snow-Flake._

“Now, if I fall, will it be my lot To be cast in some low and lonely spot, To melt, and to sink unseen and forgot? And there will my course be ended?” ’Twas thus a feathery snow-flake said, As down through measureless space it strayed, Or as, half by dalliance, half afraid, It seemed in mid-air suspended.

“Oh, no!” said the earth; “thou shalt not lie Neglected and lone on my lap to die, Thou pure and delicate child of the sky; For thou wilt be safe in my keeping. But then, I must give thee a lovelier form;— Thou wilt not be a part of the wintry storm, But revive, when the sunbeams are yellow and warm, And the flowers from my bosom are peeping!