Appendix C. 



neglected ; nor do the iiiideilying ones appear to have any great dev(;l(jpnieiit.s, 

 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 lie 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 Kuwenzori glaciers is the presence of 

 enormous cornices from which hang multitudes of large stalactites, which 

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

 stalactites is again to be sought in the special meteorological conditions, which 

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

 at different 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 turbid look which, luider 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 mora)nes. 



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 front of the glaciers; in a zone not yet invaded 

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

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

 on the surface of those rocks which have only recently got rid of the mantle 

 of snow and ice by which they were formerly covered. 



Erosive PlienoiKtna. — On the lower part of the Kuwenzori liange identical 

 climatic conditions lead to the identical phenomena of meteoric denudation 

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

 formation on which a rank herlwceous vegetation is developer] ; here also is 

 that rounded form of the exposed rocks with their sham aspect of roclies 

 mvulonn^e^ above indicated ; further, the outward protrusion of some of the more 

 durable components; the cleavage of the rock in superficial slabs, and so on. 



The zone of tbe old morainic formations is clothed with a dense arboreal or 

 bushy vegeUition of tropical tj'pe, and this protects the luiderlying soil from 

 erosive action. Here and there, however, are noticed rents and rifts caused by 

 the torrential and swelling waters, with formations in .some places of tj-pical 

 fungi-form rocks, as near Xakitawa. 



392 



