100 W. P. Blake on the Glaciers of Russian America. 
It is evident that this glacier breaks down in a series of 
great steps or ledges along the greater part of its front. These 
steps rise for 20 to 30 feet one above the other and thus produce 
a stair-like ascent, while at the same time the numerous parallel 
fissures at right angles break the surface into rectangular blocks, 
which on the side exposed to the sun soon become worn into the 
pyramids and cones. The difference of outline in opposite direc 
tions is thus explained. 
I was inclined to regard the melting action of the water of the 
river as the cause of this abrupt breaking off of the end of the 
glacier. There may, however, be a sudden break in the rock 
foundations at this point, so as to produce an ice-cascade. The 
following section will perhaps give a clearer idea of the manner 
in which the glacier breaks down, 
Galina akee gaat. : 
One or more streams descend under the glacier, and reach the 
river at different places. The rushing and roaring sound was 
rather startling at some of the crevasses. 
Judging from the number of loose blocks of rock at the foot of 
the glacier, the upper surface must be strewn with them, but t 
could not be veri i 
y beach” 
At Cape Suckling in the same latitude and west of Icy Bay the a 
* Voyage of the Sulphur, i, 78-80. 
— 
