792 NATURAL SCIENCE. i5p.c.. 



The first chapter is on the Early History of Mountaineering, 

 by Sir Frederick Pollock ; and it is interesting to learn that some of 

 the philosophers and naturalists of the sixteenth and seventeenth 

 centuries were foremost among the mountaineers of their days. 

 Conrad Gesner, of Zurich, in 1541, "resolved for the future, so long 

 as God grants me life, to ascend divers mountains every year, or at 

 least one, in the season when vegetation is at its height, partly for 

 botanical observation, partly for the worthy exercise of the body and 

 recreation of the mind." Sir Frederick says that modern mountaineers 

 ought to revere Gesner as a true ancestor, for he possessed the genuine 

 mountaineering spirit. 



Interesting accounts are given of the explorations of other pioneers, 

 of Albert von Haller, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and De Saussure ; and 

 there is a reproduction of the old print representing De Saussure, 

 his son, and guides, on the march in 1788. References are also made 

 to the partial ascent of Chimborazo, in 1802, by von Humboldt. 



The first recorded ascent of any permanent snow-peak was in 

 1739 ; the first successful attempt to reach the summit of Mont Blanc 

 was made in 1 786 ; and the final conquest of the highest peak of Monte 

 Rosa took place in 1855. The author points out that, among Enghsh 

 leaders of Alpine exploration in its most active period, a notable 

 proportion were scholars and men of science. 



The subjects of Equipment and Outfit (for women and men), of 

 Mountaineering and Health, the Principles of Mountaineering, Reconnoitring, 

 Snotii Craft and Rock Climbing form the subjects of six chapters by Mr. 

 C. T. Dent. It is shown that in rock climbing, as in snowcraft, 

 scientific knowledge can always be turned to practical account ; that 

 an acquaintance with the chief formations of mountains, and their 

 individual peculiarities, is as useful as a knowledge of the physical 

 phenomena of glaciers and snowfields. Illustrations are given of the 

 features produced by ordinary limestone, dolomite (magnesian lime- 

 stone), and granite rocks ; and of the relations between the dip of the 

 rocks and the configuration of the slopes. The aid of Professor 

 Bonney is acknowledged in reference to these matters. 



Attention is drawn to the dangers of climbing steep grass- 

 covered slopes. Thus " the inexperienced person who goes out for a 

 ramble by himself will often attempt rock passages actually more 

 difficult than any he would have to overcome if he ascended half-a- 

 dozen of the reputedly most formidable rock peaks in the Alps " ; and 

 botanists, entomologists, and others, " professedly of sound mind," 

 may start forth from their hotel, "shod in boots destitute of nails, 

 and equipped with an umbrella or a walking-stick." The consequence 

 is, they "find themselves in tolerably awkward predicaments," for 

 grass, after dry and hot weather, is extremely slippery, and at a height 

 of six or seven thousand feet the soil clings but loosely to the rocks. 



A short chapter on Maps and Guide-books is contributed by Mr. 

 W. M. Conway ; a chapter on Mountaineering beyond the Alps is by Mr 

 Douglas W. Freshfield ; and Climbing ■without Guides is dealt with by 

 Mr. C. Pilkington. 



We pass on to Hill Climbing in the British Isles, also by Mr. Pil- 

 kington ; a chapter of especial interest to home mountaineers. Our 

 hills are always accessible, and most of them can be climbed at any 

 period of the year, but there are many ascents that may be dangerous, 

 and some that are impassable in the winter months. The author 

 remarks that it is never well to ascend an out-of-the-wa}' hill alone. 



Shgachan, in Skye, is spoken of as " the rock-climbing centre /fly 

 excellence of the British Isles," and the author remarks, " always take 



