186 ASTRONOMY ON MONT BLANC. 



Giiillemarcl and Moog* on hjq^erglobnlation at high akitudes, and 

 finally, the bacteriologic stud}^ of the snow of Mont Blanc began in 

 1900 by Doctor Binot, of the Pasteur Institute. Doctor Binot 

 found in different ])arts of the glacier a varied microscopic flora 

 Avhose existence had hitherto been quite unsuspected, and promising 

 to reward further stud}^ with many and curious results. Actino- 

 metric and physiological studies (among others, upon respiration at 

 high altitudes) have been carried on by M. Vallot and the numerous 

 scientists, both Fi-ench and foreign, to whom he has ofl'ered the hos- 

 pitality of his observatory des Bosses. Messrs. Joseph and Henri 

 Vallot are now preparing to publish a map of the region of Mont 

 Blanc. 



I have restricted myself to giving, as it were, a bircVs-eye view of 

 the varied studies to which the creation of an observatory on Mont 

 Blanc have given rise. It will surely be most desirable that its devel- 

 oj^ment and further equipment shall go on, in order that it may 

 render all the services which are made possible by its unique situa- 

 tion. May it not be made more accessible, perhaps, by establishing 

 connnunicatiou b}^ dirigible balloon between Chamonix and Mont 

 Blanc? 



