ICE-MARKS OX ROCKS.

11

are close to the edge, let us choose a place where we can geton to the moraine, and after a short scramble over the loosestones gain the rough path which runs along to the cliff’s of theGorner Grat, and gradually leads us to the Alpine pastures,over which lies the way to the Riffel hotel, where we shall finda good supper and a comfortable bed.

But as the red glow has not yet begun to light up thesnows of Monte Rosa , we may linger awhile about the base ofthe Riffel horn, a dark peak of serpentine, now too well knownas the closing sceno of one most promising life 1 . We cannotfail to remark that the rocks here are in many places verysmooth, and have a peculiar rounded contour; and if we havemade good use of our eyes during the morning, we shallhave already noticed similar forms down below by the sideof the glacier. It is therefore evident that the ice once passedover this place, and a little observation will shew us that theglaciers in the Alps once extended far beyond their presentlimits. There are several marks by which we can follow uptheir trail, the principal of which, to use their customary titles,are moraines, perched blocks, and rounded, polished, andscratched rocks. You have already seen the great piles ofstone at the end, by the sides, and sometimes in the middleof the glacier. Now it is evident that if the ice were to meltaway, these huge ridges would be left stranded upon thebottom of the valley. This is exactly what has happened.Often in walking among the Alps , you find in some valley,miles below the glaciers, perhaps just at its mouth, one or moreof these great stone banks. A little examination shews thatthey cannot have fallen from the cliffs above, supposing suchto exist; their form and position render that impossible; verylikely also they are composed of rocks which you know to be

1 Mr K. Wilson, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge , was found lying deadbeneath the crags of the Riflfelhom. It is supposed that he had climbed'to thesu mmi t, and missed his footing in descending. The accident happened in thoevening of July 18, 1865.