216 I. OC. Russell—Note on Height of Mount Saint Elias. 
mid are not caused by melting, for the reason that under present 
climatic conditions the snow near the summit-of the mountain 
does not melt during summer, but at an elevation exceeding 
about 18,500 feet is always dry and light and resembles the finest 
meal. 
The conditions on which the snow pyramid on mount Saint 
Elias depend are so variable that it is not reasonable to suppose 
that its height remains the same at all seasons or from year to 
year. What the variations may be will perhaps be determined 
by future measurements of the elevation of the mountain 
