228 MEAN HEIGHT OF THE GREAT ATLAS. ch, ix. 



Atlas a range, fully 80 miles in length, which in its mean 

 elevation surpasses any other of equal length in Europe, 

 or in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean. The 

 chain of the Pennine Alps, from the Col de Bonhomme to 

 the Simplon, alone approaches the same limit, as, exclud- 

 ing those limiting passes, the mean elevation of the 

 dividing ridge for a distance of over 90 miles is about 

 11,800 English feet. That of the Mont Blanc range, 

 from the Cime des Fours to the Pointe d'Omy, probably 

 equals the mean height of the Great Atlas, being about 

 12,300 feet, but this is only about 25 miles in length. 

 Excluding the mountains of Central Asia, and the Andes 

 of Bolivia and Peru, neither of which can be spoken of as 

 mountain chains in the ordinary sense, the only consider- 

 able range surpassing the Atlas in height is the higher 

 part of the Caucasus, between the peaks of Elbruz and 

 Kasbek, vrhose mean height, for a distance exceeding 110 

 miles, must reach, if it does not surpass, the limit of 

 13,000 feet. 



Our usual evening occupation was pursued under 

 greater difficulties than usual. There was not much 

 wind ; but the cold was severely felt in the open verandah, 

 and the portion of our day's harvest that was gathered in 

 a wet state had to be left till the morning's light should 

 enable us to give our specimens the requisite treatment. 



Our design, not disclosed to any of our native fol- 

 lowers, had been to remain another day at Arround, and, 

 if circumstances were favourable, to ascend some project- 

 ing point in the range that should command a panoramic 

 view. We had, however, scarcely opened our eyes on the 

 morning of May 17 when we clearly perceived that the 

 fates had decided against our scheme. Snow had fallen 

 steadily during the night, and both branches of the valley 

 above the village were thickly covered. The sky over- 

 head was of the same leaden complexion as that of the 

 previous day, and flakes of snow falling slowly showed 

 that the disposition of the weather continued unchanged. 



