Former Existence of Glaciers in Cumberland. 11 



the rocks in situ. And, reflecting on the frequent low tem- 

 perature of the climate almost every month in the year, as 

 already noticed, occasionally near or below the freezing 

 point, owing to radiation, how easy is it to conceive that this 

 district might once have been a glacier region ; all that 

 seems necessary, being the more frequent occurrence of that 

 state of atmosphere favouring radiation, viz., finer seasons, 

 clearer and calmer skies, greater heat by day from moi'e 

 powerful and frequent sunshine, and gi'eater and more con- 

 stant cold at night from increased radiation of heat. Such 

 a state of atmosphere might have existed with a greater ele- 

 vation of mountains ; and that they once were greatly higher, 

 is clearly denoted by the enormous quantity of detritus ac- 

 cumulated on their lower slopes and in the valleys. Moun- 

 tains, and a clear state of atmosphere favouring radiation, 

 seem to each other generally in the relation of cause and 

 effect ; the former acting as refrigeratories, condensing the 

 aqueous vapour, and, whilst occasioning heavy rains, prevent- 

 ing a loaded, damp, saturated state of air. The effect re- 

 ferred to, is shewn in a striking manner in this district, by 

 comparing the quantities of rain that fall amongst the moun- 

 tains in approaching them, and at a distance from them, 

 as lately determined by means of the many rain-gauges under 

 observation, in different parts of Westmoreland, and of the 

 adjoining counties. Thus, in 1843, whilst 58 inches fell at 

 Kendal, the fall at Bowness was 60 inches, at Troutbeck 64, 

 at Esthwaite 73, and at Grasmere 90 ; and descending, on 

 the other side, at Keswick 60, and at Whitehaven 46. 



Farther, as shewing, even now, a tendency to glacier for- 

 mation, I may notice the state of the several lakes and tarns 

 connected with Windermere, as observed in the middle of 

 March last, when in Westmoreland, as in England and Scot- 

 land generally, and, indeed, over a great part of Em'ope, the 

 weather was unusually severe. Windermere on the 16th, 

 17th, and 18th of the month, when the particular observations 

 I am about to describe were made, was free from ice ; its 

 temperature, even in shallow parts, was then about 37°. 

 Windermere receives the river Rotha, which flows out of 

 Rydal lake, at the distance of about two miles. The Rotha, 



