Dr Barry's Ascent to the Summit of Mont Blanc. 117 



sun''s disk appearing, as noticed by others, very much smaller 

 than when seen from lower regions. At half-past six o'clock, 

 the barometer was = 21.295 inches English, its attached ther- 

 mometer being = 44<°.37 Fahrenheit. 



A fire was again made, the cabin re-constructcd on the same 

 ledge as the preceding evening, we supped, and retired to rest. 

 Two of the guides again passed the night without a shelter (but 

 without sustaining any harm). Had a storm arisen, it is pro- 

 bable that we should all have done the same, for a gust of wind 

 would have blown away the batons and sheet, which formed 

 our cabin. 



As many of the attempted ascents of Mont Blanc have been 

 unsuccessful from bad weather, extreme cold, or fatigue, it 

 seems exceedingly desirable that a more substantial shelter 

 should be provided, into which a party could retire for even a 

 few days, if requisite ; and as additional interest would be given 

 to Chamonix by any thing facilitating the ascent of Mont Blanc, 

 it might be worth the consideration of the Sardinian Govern- 

 ment to employ some men a month or two in hewing out a ca- 

 vity in the Grand Mulct rock for this purpose. 



The next morning, 18th, on this rock, the barometer, at a 

 quarter past six, stood at 21.198 inches Enghsh, the attached 

 thermometer being = 39°-8T F. Specimens were collected of 

 the plants within reach. Among them were Aretia alpina, 

 Saxifraga bryoides, Poa laxa and nemoralis, with several lichens 

 and mosses not yet determined. Specimens also were taken of 

 a micaceous rock occurring here, containing iron-pyrites ; also 

 of gneiss with asbestus. A small bird was observed on the rock, 

 which, however, I did not see. We were gratified, just before 

 starting, with the sight of a splended avalanche, which occurred 

 at a distance, as estimated by one of the guides, of " une demi- 

 heure,''' (= H mile English,) and in a few moments a shower, 

 resembling sleet, that resulted from it, reached us. 



We left the Grand Mulct at half-past seven a. m., and retrac- 

 ed our steps as nearly as possible across the glacier ; here and 

 there, by a shorter passage, saving part of the distance. At the 

 foot of the Aiguille du Midi, numerous fragments of ice, very 

 newly fallen, covered the ground for a considerable distance, 

 and we hastened over it in dread of more. 



