114 



THE FOKMS OF WATEK IN 



out of the glacier, but by the melting of the glacier all 

 round the ice protected by the stone. Here is a sketch 

 of one of the Tables of the Mer de Glace. 



289. Notice moreover that a glacier table is hardly ever 

 set square upon its pillar. It generally leans to one 

 side, and repeated observation teaches you that it so 

 leans as to enable you alwaj^s to draw the north and 

 south line upon the glacier. For the sun being south 

 of the zenith at noon pours its rays against the south- 

 ern end of the table, while the northern end remains in 

 shadow. The southern end, therefore, being most 

 warmed does not protect the ice underneath it so effec- 

 tually as the northern end. The table becomes inclined, 

 and ends by sliding bodily off its pedestal. 



290. In the figure opposite we have what may be called 



