Peaks of the Central Group. 



westward, sliolitly concave, and terminating in a characteristic 

 shoulder. Tlie peak and tlie ridges are overhung by a gigantic 

 cornice, supported by a colonnade of icicles and aiguilles of ice 

 which at a distance seem like a fine white lace work. 



Hound about them the snow had the pale, lack-lustre hue 

 of bad weather. For one moment a ray of sunlight lit it up, 

 but was inmiediately quenched l)y the dense clouds whicli 

 were piling up rapidi v from the east. Gusts of wind were 



ALEXANDRA AND MAROHEIUTA I'EAKS FROM THE STANLEY PLATEAU, 



blowing from tlie east, and layers of mist were ascending tlie 

 valley in compact masses and soon shut in the party com- 

 pletely. They continued tlieir way in silence. Without the 

 least uncertainty, with a sure intuition of the right direction, 

 Joseph Petigax made his wav through the dense mists 



179 



N 'I 



