92 Ascent of the Jungfrau in 1841, 
rily great attractions for us.. We could not fail to observe in- 
teresting phenomena ; moreover, it was of importance that we 
should become acquainted with the character of certain gneiss 
rocks, of rather a peculiar structure, the debris of which are 
transported by the upper glacier of the Aar. At the same 
time, the Jungfrau presented itself to our minds. We recol- 
lected that, when upon the glacier of the Aar the preceding 
winter, we had formed the design of attempting the ascent, 
and that our guide Jacob, to whom we mentioned the subject, 
promised to conduct us. No more was necessary to bring 
Agassiz to a decision. “I have made my mind; to-morrow we 
cross the Mer de Glace of Viesch, and the day after ascend 
the Jungfrau!” With regard to myself I was not altogether of 
the same opinion ; for a journey of from twelve to fifteen hours, 
which it must necessarily take to cross the Col de l’Oberaar, 
did not appear to me to be the most fit preparation for the 
ascent of the Jungfrau. At last, however, we came to the 
agreement, that this ascent should, in the mean time, remain 
a matter of secondary importance to the crossing of the Gla- 
cier of Viesch, and that we should attempt it only in case of 
finding ourselves free from fatigue at the end of our journey. 
Messrs Forbes and Heath refused to come to any decision with 
respect to the Jungfrau; but M. Agassiz did not fail, notwith- 
standing, to enjoin Jacob to take provisions for them likewise. 
Passage of the Col de l’ Oberaar. 
This route had been determined upon during supper, and 
the same evening we made the necessary preparations for our 
departure. Jacob Leuthold, the same individual who had con- 
ducted us the preceding year to Grindelwald by the Strahleck, 
was again appointed captain of the expedition ; and M. Agas- 
siz likewise intrusted to him the selection of the other guides 
and ‘porters who were to accompany us. M. Zippach fur- 
nished provisions, consisting of wine, cheese, meat, anda quan- 
tity of bread, which we found to be excessive. Each of us pre- 
pared his package, taking care to exclude every thing not 
absolutely necessary. A frock-coat, trowsers, and vest, for a 
change in case of need, were all we intended to carry. The 
wald; and M. Agassiz had descended, some days ‘before, into the valley of 
Hasli by the Col de Gauli, 
