Appendix C. 



neglected; nor do the uii(k'il\iiig ones appear to have any great developments, 

 judging at least from the frontal moraines, which are never very extensive. 



The position of the glaciers likewise includes the existence of depressions 

 in which snow might l)e collected ; falling on the whole surface of the glacier, 

 the snow passes directly and rapidly to the state of ice, a phenomenon which 

 is easily explained by the atmospheric conditions of these highlands, which, 

 during certain hours of the day often tend to develop high temperatures. 



One of the characteristics of the Ruwenzori glaciers is the presence of 

 enormous cornices hom which liang multitudes of large stalactites, which 

 become a firm support to the cornices themselves. The origin of these curious 

 stalactites is again to 1)e sought in the special meteorological conditions, which 

 tend to rapid changes of temperature not only between day and night, Itut also 

 at dirterent times of the day itself, according to the state of the weather. 



Another noteworthy feature is the water welling up in front of the 

 glaciers, which never presents that turl)id look which, iinder like conditions, 

 is seen in the melting waters of the Alpine glaciers. The water is perfectly 

 limpid, which shows that the movement of the glaciers is but slight, at least 

 at present. Hence the erosion must also be insignificant, and this again 

 explains the absence of considerable underlying morauies. 



In fact, all the Kuwenzori glaciers are nowadays in a state of rapid 

 retreat. Of this proof is afforded in the recently abandoned morainic 

 formations which are noticed in many places ; in the wide areas of polished 

 rocks at the sides and in fi'ont of the glaciers; in a zone not yet invaded 

 by the mosses and lichens, which are typically aljundant even on the most 

 elevated tracts of the range ; lastly, in the whitish colour so often noticed 

 on the surface of those rocks wliicli liave only recently got rid of the mantle 

 of snow and ice by which they were formerly covered. 



Eroxirc Pii'moinfiui. — On the lowei' ])art of the Kuwenzori liange identical 

 climatic conditions lea<l to the iilcntiCal phenomena of meteoric denudation 

 that are also observed in Uganda. We have accordingly an abundant laterite 

 formation on which a rank herl)aceous vegetation is developed ; here also is 

 that rounded foiin of the exposed rocks with their sham aspect of mclir^ 

 vwutonnées above indicated; further, the outwaid protrusion of some of the more 

 dura})le components; the cleavage of the rock in superficial shd»s, and so on. 



The zone of the old moiviinic formations is clothed with a dense arboreal or 

 bushy vegetation of troj)ical type, and this piotetts the underlying soil from 

 enjsive action. Here and thei'e, however, are noticed rents and rifts caused by 

 the torrential and swelling waters, with formations in some jilaces of typical 

 fungi-form rocks, as near Nakitawa. 



302 



