RECESSION OF THE ALPINE GLACIERS. 329 



seracs more imposing than any seen during many previous years, the 

 enlargement of the crevices, everything indicates that tlie great ice currents 

 are about to enter on a period of increasing activity." 



This, however, was certainly not the case during the succeeding year 

 (1881) in the eastern portion of the Alps, visited by the present writer at 

 that time. All about the Gross Glockner and the Gross Venedio-er, the 

 appearance of the glaciers indicated continued shrinking, and the testimony 

 of the guides was to the same effect. The changed appearance of the mass of 

 the Orteler Spitz at that time, as contrasted with the much greater body 

 of snow and ice exhibited on that mountain when studied by the writer in 

 1844, was most striking. All the photographs of glaciers taken in this 

 region within the past few years show the same characteristic features of 

 recent shrinkage, so easily recognized by those who have had their attention 

 turned to these things. 



So, too, in the Bernina Group, as examined by the writer in 1879, the 

 proofs of rec-ession were everywhere apparent. Of the date of its com- 

 mencement in this region no positive information could be obtained; but the 

 rate of recession of both the Morteratsch and Rosegg gl.aciers was stated by 

 those best qualilied to know as being very large.* 



The glacier of Gebrulaz, in the Tarentaise, appears from the account given 

 by M. Borrel, President of the Tarentaise section of the French Alpine Club.f 

 to have been diminishing for the past 149 years. During that period of time 

 tliis glacier has retreated no less than 1,422 meters. During the j^ears from 

 1730 to 1830, the average rate of recession was 8.20 meters a year; from 

 1830 to 1879 it was much more rapid, being as much as 22.48 meters. 

 These results appear to have been reached b}' comparison of various majos 

 iiud documents brou<i:ht to lioht on the occasion of a leual iuvestia;ation of 

 claims to surface left luicovered by the retreat of the glacier.} 



In the number of the Alpine Club for August, 1881, Mr. C. E. Mathews, 

 late President of the Club, remarks as follows: "The Swiss glaciers continue 

 their unfortunate retreat. No one who has visited the Alps with any regu- 

 larity during the last twenty years can have flxiled to be struck with the 



* Tlie writer was most vividly impressed liere, as elsewhere in the Alps, in the examination of the abandoned 

 beds of the glaeiers, to see how striking were the proofs everywhere displayed of the inability of the glacier to 

 remove even the smallest rock obstacle in its way. 



+ Annnaire du Club .-^Ipin Fran^ais, 6";' Annee, pp. 678-680. 



J Interesting nuestious are being raised in various jilaces as to legal rights to ground left uncovered by the 

 recession of the glaciers. 



