1820.] the Red Snow of the Environs of Mojoit St. Bernard. 417 



respectable prior of the Convent of Grand St. Bernard, has 

 availed himself of this circumstance, and of the acquaintance of 

 the lesirned monk with natural history, to address to him a series 

 of questions on the subject. He has very obligingly answered 

 them, and these answers seem to us to throw much light on the 

 phenomenon as connected with the localities. 



On the other hand, this same correspondent having been so 

 kind as to send us, at two different times, samples of the 

 colouring matter collected by himself with great care, we have 

 requested M. Peschier, Member of the Physical and Natural 

 History Society, and of the committee of chemistry of the 

 Society for the Promotion of the Arts, to undertake the ana- 

 lysis of these samples: This he has been so kind as to do^ 

 and we think that our readers will be obliged to us for com- 

 municating to them these two papers, which those who feel 

 interested in th^; question of the red snow will not find out of 

 their place in our journal. 



Questions and Answers respecting the Red Snow of the Environs of 



Mount St. Bernard. 



Is the red snow permanent 1 



It is permanent. 



Is it always seen in the same place ? 



It is always seen in the same place. It generally occupies 

 the plateaux, commanded by declivities covered with snow. 



Is it concealed by the snow which falls upon it, or does the 

 latter become red by the contact ? 



It is concealed by the snow which falls on it, and the latter 

 does not become red by the contact. 



I have seen the red snow on the Buet, the St. Bernard, the 

 Col de la Seigue, the Bonhomme: is it generally found at the 

 same elevation as these summits in the other parts of the 

 glaciers ? 



It is found at this level, and also higher and lower, provided 

 there are masses of snow sufficiently large not to melt during tha 

 «ummer. It is sometimes found on the glaciers. 



Is it more abundant at certain times? 



After high south, or south-west winds. 



Has it been noticed whether it was red at certain depths ? 



To the depth of two or three inches. 



Would it not be possible to obtain by filtering it, a residue 

 which might be analyzed ? 



Without having made the experiment, I believe that it would 

 furnish an earthy and ferruginous residue which might be 

 analyzed. 



Is there any opinion on the cause of this colour? 



I do not know that there are any opinions on this cause : it 

 might Ik; asciibed to the colour of the earth, especially the ferru— 



Vol. XV. N° VI. 2D 



