434 Proceedings. 
distances below the present termination of the glaciers. In remarking on the 
features connected with the New Zealand glaciers, Mr. Fox alluded to the 
remarkable fact that on the eastern slopes the New Zealand Alps terminated 
at a much higher altitude than on the western slopes, and that the glaciers on 
the east carried downward large masses of rocks, while the slopes of those of 
the west were composed of clear blue ice, from which little refuse or débris 
was carried down. Mr. Fox next made an interesting comparison between 
the glaciers of New Zealand and Europe, pointing out that while in the case 
of the latter no vegetation other than the common fir-tree was to be seen in 
their vallies, those of the West Coast of New Zealand were invariably 
beautified by a most luxuriant semi-tropical vegetation of flowering plants and 
tree-ferns. 
An interesting discussion ensued upon a point to which Mr. Fox made 
allusion in his concluding remarks, that of the peculiarity of the glaciers 
always remaining at the same temperature of 32°, a fact which was rendered 
more peculiar by the circumstance that if a mass of ice were brought from 
any other place it would speedily melt in the heat of the sun, while the com- 
position of the glacier would remain in its frozen state. 
The President said that New Zealand presented a fine field for alpine 
exploration, and described four different groups of the Southern Alps from 
which glaciers radiate, showing that the glaciers are not now of the greatest 
magnitude in the furthest south, although they evidently had been so formerly. 
He considered that the reduction of the area of mountain top above the snow 
line by the cutting back of the glaciers was one of the chief causes of their 
disappearance. He pointed out that it was hardly correct to say a glacier 
retired from its moraine, as is frequently done. The fact is that in some years 
it melts more rapidly than in others, and on the West Coast these years of 
greatest waste would always, owing to the same causes, be the years when 
there would be least supply, but there could be no retraction of the mass of ice. 
This led to some discussion, in which Capt. Hutton, Rev. Mr. Andrew, 
Bishop Hadfield, the Hon. Mr. Hart, and the Hon. Capt. Fraser took part, 
at the conclusion of which a vote of thanks was unanimously voted to Mr. 
Fox. : 
2. “On New Zealand Lake Pas,” by the Rev. Richard Taylor, F.G.S. 
(See Transactions, p. 101.) 
3. “On the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha,” Chapter V., by W. T. L. 
Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 62.) 
