BY RICHARD HELMS. 361 



cold. At an elevation of 5500 feet near Pretty Point my min. 

 therm, registered: Feb. 20, 31° F.; Feb. 21, 26°; Feb. 22, 33-5°; 

 and the max. therm. 45-5°, 54°, and 53° respectively on those 

 dates. Although this cold wave was replaced again by warmer 

 weather for a few days, the temperature soon went down again, 

 and winter, it may be said, had begun to set in. This is rather 

 an exceptionally early time for it ; as a rule the weather remains 

 mild till the middle of March. 



In connection with the snow-fields I am able to record the 

 interesting occurrence of "red snow," which, as far as I am aware, 

 has previously not been observed in the southern hemisphere, 

 certainly not in Australia. 



On nearly all the patches of snow I visited a large portion of 

 their surface was noticed to be of a dirty red colour. The dirty 

 appearance was caused by dust, as generally is found upon 

 melting snow^, but the red on examination proved to be a minute 

 alga that singly has an intense colour like dark blood. Whether 

 it is identical with the Protococcus nivalis of the Arctic regions 

 I am unfortunately unable to prove, because I could not preserve 

 the organisms for microscopic examination, but if not identical it 

 is likely that the Australian plant is closely allied to it. That, 

 however, the colouring matter is an alga and not caused by any 

 other substance the simple lens sufficiently attests. These algae 

 live most luxuriantly and very abundantly a few inches below the 

 surface, and when the dirty granulated crust of the snow is 

 removed to the depth of an inch or two the sight is surprising and 

 pleasing. The disclosed part reveals a beautifully fresh crimson 

 colouring speckled with pure white snow granules, that resembles 

 the hue of a freshly cut ripe watermelon. 



These observations, that were made by me whilst staying but a 

 short period in the Australian Alps, during which time the fogs 

 and the rainy weather frequently prevented my leaving the camp, 

 I wish only to be considered as a record of such, and regret that 

 my limited experience and insufficient knowledge of geology 

 prevent me to attach a speculative opinion to them regarding 

 the age during which the glaciation of these mountains occurred. 



