Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 08.djvu/535

SNOW 471 SNOWBIRD land in 1220. In 1237 he was obliged to flee to Norway in consequence of a league formed against him by his brother Sigh- vat and his nephew Sturla. Here, by his poetical powers, he aided his patron Skuli in his war against King Hacon, but was in consequence, on his return to Iceland, pursued by the hatred of the king, and murdered through his influence by his son-in-law at Reykaholt, Sept. 22, 1241. SNOW, in meteorology, water solidified in stellate crystals, variously modified, and floating in the atmosphere. These crystals arise from the congelation of the minute vesicles which constitute the clouds, when the temperature of the latter is below zero. They are more reg- ular when formed in a calm atmosphere. Their form may be investigated by col- lecting them on a black surface, and view- ing them through a strong lens. The reg- ularity, and at the same time variety, of their forms are truly beautiful. These crystals are united together in such a manner as to reflect light to the eye in great abundance from all, thus producing a sensation of whiteness. The presence of air in snow renders it opaque, other- wise it would be transparent, like ice and other crystallized bodies. Regular crys- tals of snow are only found where the air is still and the temperature very cold ; they do not, therefore, often occur in tem- perate regions. In the polar regions snow has been seen of red, orange, and salmon color. This phenomenon occurs both in the fixed and floating ice, and seems to result in some cases from vegetable, and in others from animal matter suspended in the water and deposited on the sur- rounding ice. In general, the electricity of snow is positive, and by chemical analysis it has been found that snow water contains a greater proportion of oxygen than rain or river water — a fact which accounts for its superior activity in causing iron to rust, etc. In the economy of nature snow answers many valuable purposes. By its gradual melting in high regions it serves to supply streams of running water, which a sudden increase in the form of rain would convert into destructive torrents or standing pools. In many countries snow tempers the burn- ing heat of summer by cooling the winds which pass over it. On the other hand, in colder climates snow serves as a de- fense against the severity of winter, where it protects plants against the frost and serves as a shelter to animals, which bury themselves in it. The elevation at which mountains are covered with perpetual , snow is called the "snow line," or plane of perpetual snow. The snow line on the N. side of the Himalayan Mountains is 18,600 feet; on Chimborazo, 15,802 feet. The altitude of perpetual snow under the equator was fixed by Humboldt at 15,748 feet; toward the poles it is considerably lower. The snow line of the Alps, N. lat- itude 46°, is only 8,860 feet; and that of the Pyrenees about 8,850 feet. At the North Cape, in latitude 71°, it is only 2,300 feet. The position of the snow line in all mountains, however, depends so much on variable causes that no general rule can be laid down for determining the altitude of perpetual snow. SNOW, ALBERT SIDNEY, an Ameri- can naval officer, born at Rockland, Me., in 1845. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1865 and reached the rank of rear-admiral in 1905. He saw service during the Civil War on the "Marblehead." During the Span- ish-American War he was in command of the "Badger." His assignments in- cluded service at the Torpedo Station, Newport, R. I., the Boston Navy Yard, the coast survey service, the Naval Acad- emy, the lighthouse service, the naval station at San Juan, and the Navy Yard, New York. He was retired upon reach- ing the legal age limit in 1907. From 1918 to 1919 he was president of the General Court Martial at the Boston Navy Yard. SNOW, LORENZO, a Mormon apostle; born in Mantua, Ohio, April 3, 1814; was converted to Mormonism in 1836; became a missionary in 1837, and traveled in England and other countries; and on his return to the United States organized and captained the Nauvoo Legion, the body of Mormon troops in Illinois. He was a member of the Utah Legislature in 1852-1882; founded Brigham City, Utah; was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church in 1849, and suc- ceeded Wilford Woodruff as president of .the Mormon Church in 1898. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 10, 1901. SNOWBIRD, the common name of the genus of birds Junco, family Fringillidx, distinguished by their bill small and coni- cal, the wings reaching the basal fourth of the exposed portion of the tail, and the tail slightly emarginate. The com- mon snowbird or black snowbird, Junco hyemalis, of the United States E. of the Missouri, is 6% inches long; grayish or dark ashy black deepest before ; the middle of the breast and belly, the under tail coverts, and the first and second external tail feathers white, and the third tail feather white, margined with black. These birds appear in flocks in winter and are very tame. They are fond of grass-seeds and berries; the flesh is delicate and juicy, and is often sold in the New Or- leans market.