1847.] Glaciers of the Pindur and Kwphinee Rivers. 80! 



the sides of the glacier so much that a very considerable hollow is 

 caused in its middle, which is a striking feature in the first appearance 

 of its lower extremity. 



The ice of which the glacier is composed agrees most exactly in 

 its nature with the Alpine Glacier ice as described by Professor 

 Forbes. It is perfectly pure and clear, but where seen in considerable 

 masses stripes of a darker and lighter bluish green are distinctly 

 visible. It is composed of bands of ice containing small air bubbles, 

 alternating with others quite free from them. In many places the 

 surface presents a striated appearance, arising from the different degrees 

 of compactness of these differently colored bands, and their conse- 

 quently different rates of melting. 



The direction of these colored veins as seen in crevasses, or in the 

 striated surfaces of the ice, follow laws exactly similar to those observed 

 in the Alps. The dip was most distinctly inwards, i. e. towards the 

 longitudinal axis, and upwards, i. e. towards the origin of the glacier, 

 in every part; the stratification being more perpendicular near the 

 head, and more nearly horizontal in the lower parts. The direction 

 of the strata in plan, was also very clearly marked in many parts of 

 the ice, and was plainly in carves, having their branches nearly parallel 

 to the sides of the glacier, and their apices directed downwards ; the 

 curvature in the centre not being at all sudden. I no where could 

 perceive " dirt bands." 



The crevasses (perhaps owing to my visit having been made some- 

 what early in the summer) were much less numerous and terrific than 

 I had expected. Although considerable detours were at times neces- 

 sary in crossing them, I remember no place that I thought dangerous 

 or difficult to pass. They are developed across the direction of the 

 glacier's length along both of its sides, commencing from the small 

 tributary on the west side, and from the union of the eastern glacier 

 on the other ; — and continuing almost to the end, those on the west 

 being, I think the largest. They are generally wider towards the edges 

 of the glacier, closing up as they approach the centre. They are nearly 

 vertical, and are directed from the sides upwards, or towards the head 

 of the glacier, those on the west bearing nearly E. and W., those on 

 the east bearing nearly N. and S., thus forming angles of about 45° 

 with the axis of the glacier. 



