252 Professor Agassiz on the Glacier Theory, 



bly remained about zero (32^^ F.) On one occasion only. I saw 

 it ascend to + 1° ( + 33\8 F.) M. Agassiz made the same ob- 

 servations, and obtained the same results. I ought to add, that 

 these observations w^ere made at a height of only one foot above 

 the surface. It was impossible for us, from want of shade, to 

 place the thermometers in a higher position, so that we could 

 not determine, in an exact manner, the influence of the radia- 

 tion of the snow. In the sun, the heat was excessive ; and 

 therefore we not only made no use of our cloaks, but, in order 

 to be more at our ease, took off our coats and waistcoats. 

 The necessity of keeping on our double veils was, in these 

 circumstances, a real punishment. I attempted several times 

 to remove them for a few moments, in spite of the advice of 

 the guides, and afterwards I could not too much repent hav- 

 ing done so, if it was to that cause that I had to attribute the 

 miseries of the succeeding night. 



"Agassiz rejoined us at the Hospice of the Grimsel about 

 four o'clock. I had, in the mean time, prepared abowl of punch, 

 by means of the essence which we always took care to have 

 in our possession ; and I need hardly say, that this drink, in- 

 vented expressly for icy regions, appeared to us a real luxury. 

 When we were all seated round the table, in the small low 

 apartment, which serves as a shoemaker's workshop, we ex- 

 perienced a lively satisfaction in recalling the most trifling 

 events of the day ; and, proud of our success, we formed a 

 thousand projects for the future. It was then, among other 

 plans, that we conceived, for the first time, the idea of at- 

 tempting the ascent of the Jungfrau. Jacob had prepared the 

 supper, which, like that of the preceding evening, consisted 

 of rice soup, salt mutton, and chamois steaks. This last dish 

 was not, I must allow, very juicy ; but as it was of chamois, 

 we were obliged to regard it as delicious. 



" We soon went to bed, in order that we might be able to start 

 at a very early hour in the morning ; but we had scarcely re- 

 posed an hour or two, when I experienced the most violent 

 pain in the face. My head seemed on fire, and I felt my cheeks 

 swelling and my face cracking. In vain I sprinkled myself 

 with cold water — I suffered the agony of a martyr. Agassiz 

 awoke a few minutes afterwards with a deep sigh. I am in 



