PROFESSOR JOHN HUTTON BALFOUR. 269 
very turbid—unlike its blue colour when issuing from the 
Lake of Geneva. We mounted on the glacier for a short way, 
saw some small crevasses, examined the beautiful vault of deep 
blue ice where the Rhone issues—some large pieces of ice had just 
fallen. Soon after our visit the rain began to cease and ere long 
the sun broke forth. We walked by the Valais to Obergestelen, 
where we rested for lunch, and thence to Miinster, where we took 
up our quarters. 
Many good plants were gathered on the way :— 
Erysimum helveticum Gaya simplex 
Ononis Natrix | Artemisia campestris 
Bupleurum falcatum | Hieracium blattarioides 
BS graminifolium _ Hypocheeris uniflora 
3 ranunculoides — Campanula thrysoides 
Athamanta cretensis | Bromus gracilis 
Laserpitium Siler | Melica ciliata 
We had some difficulty in getting accommodation at Miinster. 
Our host at the Croix d’Or, Jean Baptiste Guntren, however, 
was very attentive and polite. Our plants were put into paper 
and prepared so as to be sent to the care of M. Guthnick at 
Berne, who had kindly offered to take care of them and transmit 
to Edinburgh. 
Friday, 20th August 1858. 
Miinster was left, after breakfast, this morning at 8.30. We 
reached Viesch, famous for its glacier, and remained there till 
1.30. Left Viesch in five char-a-bancs holding five each besides 
the driver. 
Passed Lax, the Massa, Aletsch (celebrated for its glacier). 
We reached Brigue in the evening. Our quarters were taken 
up in the Hétel d’Angleterre. Despatched a parcel of plants 
to Guthnick at Berne. 
Saturday, 21st August 1858. 
Left Brigue at 6 a.m. in two large char-a-bancs, and travelled 
by the valley of the Rhone through a beautiful country to Visp 
or Vispach. The ing was fine and the viewcharming. Near 
R 
