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Frost Flower. U. Nakaya M. Hanajima Kyoto, Japan: Kobunsha, 1950. 6 × 8 ½ in., 75 pages, 78 illustrations. 230 yen, post free.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2017

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Abstract

Type
Reviews
Copyright
Copyright © International Glaciological Society 1951

This interesting little volume, illustrated with excellent photographs, describes “flowers” formed by ice and hoar on window-panes. Crystals formed on window-panes are classified as Isolated Hoar Crystals, Sheet Frost or Ice Flowers, the latter being formed by the freezing of condensation, whereas the former are due to direct sublimation of water vapour. Effects of films of paraffin and alcohol on the glass before the ice “flowers” are formed are illustrated and briefly discussed. The fern-like ice patterns are well reproduced in the photographs, and the curviform “fern leaves” when alcohol is present are indeed beautiful to the eye. Each illustration is described in both English and Japanese. The book should be perused by all interested in snow crystals, and is probably the best of its kind published since the well-known Snow Crystals by W. A. Bentley, 1931.