chap, vi LOW SOUND 85 



We hastened to see what vegetation it might carry, but 

 it was absolutely bare, and the rocks of it were weathered 

 to mud. On its surface were many water-rolled pebbles, 

 washed out from the substance in which they had been em- 

 bedded. The single living inhabitant of the mound was a 

 tiny flea-like insect, captured by Garwood. He enclosed it 

 under his watch-glass, and it promptly took a ride round on 

 the second hand, but before we reached camp again it was 

 in minute fragments. The snow ridge stretched up ahead, 

 faultlessly white in a newly-fallen mantle, and with its sloping 

 line dividing the view per bend, argent and azure, but the 

 blue of the sky was faint and delicate, wholly different from 

 the strong dark tone observed from high elevations. Behind 

 spread the wondrous snow-field, so gracefully undulating, and 

 with the midnight sun shining brightly over it. Upon the 

 surface of the snow lay a brilliant rainbow, caused by the 

 ice-spiculae which we had noticed to be peculiarly numerous 

 and bright as we came along. This phenomenon was new to 

 both of us, nor have I ever seen it recorded. It can only 

 be seen when the sun is low and shines on neve covered 

 with a powdering of tiny snow crystals. The ascent of the 

 ridge was fortunately easy, for we had come without axes or 

 rope, not intending a climb. There was a big cornice to 

 avoid. We followed in the fresh track of a fox, who gave 

 his name to the peak (3180 feet). 



The view that burst upon us at the top was a revelation. 

 All such views are revelations ; it is the quality of their 

 charm. We were on the watershed between Advent Bay 

 and Bell Sound. Plough Glacier was at our feet, 1 joining 

 into Dreary Valley, which led south to the larger valley of 

 the Shallow River and Low Sound. A sea of cloud filled 

 these depressions, spreading away for thirty miles or more 



1 I give to places the names they afterwards received. 



