278 SALMONIA. [NINTH DAY! 



that glacier, and, diffusing it as it dissolved with a 

 stick, I saw the water change first to sea green in 

 colour, then to grass green, and lastly to yellowish 

 green : I do not, however, give this as a proof, but 

 only as a fact favourable to my conjecture. 



POIET. It appears to me to confirm your view of 

 the subject, that snow and ice, which are merely pure 

 crystallised water, are always blue, when seen by 

 transmitted light. I have often admired the deep 

 azure in crevices in masses of snow in severe winters, 

 and the same colour in the glaciers of Switzerland, 

 particularly at the arch where the Arve issues, in 

 the Valley of Chamouni. We thank you for your 

 illustration. 



HAL. In return, I ask you for some further 

 remarks on this grand waterfall. You said just now, 

 you preferred the fall of the Velino for picturesque 

 effect to any other waterfall you have seen ; yet it is 

 a small river compared even with the Traun, and 

 nothing compared with the Gotha, the Ehine, or, 

 above all, the Glommen. 



POIET. Size is merely comparative : I prefer the 

 fall of the Velino, because its parts are in harmony. 

 It displays all the force and power of the element, in 

 its rapid and precipitous descent ; and you feel that 

 even man would be nothing in its waves, and would 

 be dashed to pieces by its force. The whole scene is 



