CLOUDS RESTING OVER MOUNTAIN PEAKS. 43Q 



feet, it was quite free from mist and the cloud-drift left 

 behind about i oo feet overhead. At Gynbaree, about 3000 

 feet, the sun was shining brightly. Hence it appears 

 that this cloud-belt was about 2000 feet in thickness. 

 Reaching the plains, about 4 p.m., there was bright 

 hot sun, but the cloud-belt was still distinctly visible 

 on the hill sides and the summits of the hills arose 

 above it, as before. We have seen the same phenomena 

 on the Swiss Rigi-Bahn and elsewhere. 



Another remarkable form of cloud-cap, is where the 

 cloud stands motionless above, but quite clear of the 

 hill tops, apparently (seen from below) 100 or 200 

 feet above their crest. On Table Mountain, at Cape 

 Town, we have seen this occur on many occasions, 

 while a very strong wind was blowing at the time. 

 The explanation of this apparent incongruity, we venture 

 to suggest, is that the variation of temperature on 

 the mountain creates a fierce upcast of air, and that 

 the cloud drift backs up under lee of the peak, in 

 perfectly still atmosphere, just like water in the backwater 

 of a rapid in a river. This seems the more probable, 

 as it is always seen to windward. We have seen a 

 very perfect example of this form of cloud-cap resting 

 for over two hours above the Pic de Teneriife, when a 

 strong N.E. breeze was blowing. The cloud-cap was 

 to the S.W., and hung quite motionless, while the 

 peak remained in sight. * 



Another constant source of interest and attraction 

 among mountains is created by the alternations of sun 

 and shade, which produce such continual changes of 

 tints and colours in the landscape that there is always 



* Seen from the seaward April 30, 1894, from the R.M.SS. Norham 

 Castle. 



