THE VARIATIONS OF GLACIERS 315 



of the present position of glaciers with their positions indicated on 

 the maps made about forty years ago shows that the average annual 

 retreat during that period has been about three times as great as the 

 annual retreat during the last decade. 1 



Scandinavian Alps: Norway. — The glaciers of the Jotunheim 

 show, in general, a slight advance between 1901 and 1903. In this 

 region the snowfall has been unusually heavy, some of the glaciers 

 being entirely covered with snow throughout the whole summer of 

 1903. The same can be said for the glaciers of the Folgefon. There 

 has also been an excessive snowfall in the Jostedal, but the glaciers 

 there have continued to recede slightly. 2 



The Caucasus. — A number of new glaciers have been visited 

 and described, but no information is given regarding their variations, 

 with the exception of one on Mount Bazar-Duzi, which seems to 

 be in retreat. 



The Tyan Shan. — In this mountain chain the snowfall has 

 increased very materially. In June, 1903, the glaciers seem to have 

 been entirely snow-covered. A record of the rainfall in the neigh- 

 borhood shows that it was more than twice as great in 1902-3 as in 

 1 900-1. A glacier resembling the Mer de Glace, and as large as any 

 in the Alps, has been discovered and mapped in the Alatau Mountains 

 of Hi. 



Canada.— After an almost normal winter, the observed glaciers 

 in British Columbia and Alberta exhibit most interesting changes 

 since last year. Of the four carefully observed, two are advancing 

 and two continue to recede. 



The Victoria glacier, Alberta, continues to recede and also to 

 contract in width. The average shrinkage on the northwest side 

 for the past three years is nineteen feet per year. There is a very 

 evident decrease in the thickness of the ice, and an increase in the 

 number of crevasses at the upper part of the left-hand side. The 

 tongue, deeply buried in moraine, is evidently receding. 



The Wenchumna glacier, Alberta, has apparently been advancing 

 for a number of years; it has not been visited until recently, so that 

 the rate of advance cannot yet be determined. Its condition is evi- 

 denced by inroads into a living forest composed of large trees which 



1 Report of Professor Killian. 2 Reports of Messrs. Oven and Reckstadt. 



