The _Philosophical Magazine_ contains an account of a singular snow phenomenon that occurred in Orkney. The paper was contributed by Mr. Clouston, of Stromness. “One night a heavy fall of snow took place, which covered the plain to a depth of several inches. ‘Upon this pure carpet,’ says the writer, ‘there rested next morning thousands of large masses of snow, which contrasted strangely with its smooth surface.’ These occurred generally in patches, from one acre to a hundred in extent, while clusters were often half-a-mile asunder. The fields so covered looked as if they had been scattered over with cart-loads of manure, and the latter covered with snow; but, on examination, the masses were all found to be cylindrical, like hollow fluted rollers, or ladies’ swan-down muffs, bearing a strong resemblance to the latter. The largest measured 3½ feet long, and 7 feet in circumference. The centres were nearly but not quite hollow; and by placing the head within when the sun was bright, the concentric structure of the cylinder was apparent. They did not occur in any of the adjoining parishes, and were limited to a space of about five miles. The first idea, as to the origin of these bodies, was, that they had fallen from the clouds, and portended some direful calamity. But, had they fallen from the atmosphere, their symmetry and loose texture must have been destroyed. The writer having examined them, was soon convinced that they had been formed by the wind rolling up the snow as boys form snow-balls. Their round form, concentric structure, fluted surface, and position with respect to the weather side of eminences, proved this; and it was also evident, from the fact of their lying lengthways, with their sides to the wind; and sometimes their tracks were visible in the snow for twenty or thirty yards in the windward direction, whence they had evidently gathered up their concentric layers.”