56 SPARKS FROM A GEOLOGIST'S HAMMER. 



de Taconnay. Note, from this point, the terminal mo- 

 raines which have accumulated about their lower extremi- 

 ties. No argument is needed to convince us that this 

 work was accomplished by a more developed condition of 

 the glaciers than we witness to-day. Payot* tells us that 

 the maximum advance of the Glacier des Bossons, in 

 modern times, was in 1817. From that date to 1869 it 

 had retreated 1,800 feet, and had suffered a lowering of 

 at least 300 feet. In 1817 the terrified inhabitants of 

 the little village at its foot held devotional processions, 

 and planted a cross in the path of the glacier to impede 

 its march. Happily the advance was checked, and the 

 devout bourgeoisie have room for the belief that proces- 

 sions and crosses have turned the course of Nature. 



As we stand contemplating the grandiose features of 

 the scene before us. we feel arising a strong ambition to 

 be among the number of those whose feet have rested 

 upon that white mountain dome. We must undertake 

 this thrilling experience on some other occasion; but, lest 

 we be wholly defrauded of this pleasure, we will make a 

 preliminary ascent over the first section of the route. 

 This will take us to the upper reaches of the Glacier des 

 Bossons. 



Ascending from Chamonix, our first halt is at the Cas- 

 cade du Dard. A small stream of ice-cold water breaks 

 itself in pieces in coming down a cliff some 60 feet in 

 height. The path leads past another fine cascade (des 

 Pelerins) and along the brink of a precipice overhanging 

 the valley of the glacier, from which, five hundred feet 

 below us, we look down on the stream of ice. Passing 

 the upper limit of trees, we pursue our zigzag path to 



* Payot, Guide, p. 149. 



