CLOUDS AST) RIVERS, ICE AND GLACIERS. 131 



command a view of the end of the glacier and observe the 

 completion of the series of bands. We notice that they 

 are confined throughout to the portion of the glacier 

 derived from the Col du Geant. (See sketch, page 129.) 



835. We must trace them to their source. Tou 

 know how noble and complete a view is obtained of the 

 glacier and Col du Geant from the Cleft Station above 

 Trelaporte. Thither we must once more climb; and 

 thence we can see the succession of bands stretching 

 downwards to the Mon tan vert, and upwards to the base 

 of the ice-cascade upon the Glacier du Geant. The 

 cascade is evidently concerned in their formation. (See 

 sketch opposite.) 



336. And how ? Simply enough. The glacier, as 

 we know, is broken transversely at the summit of the 

 Lce-fall, and descends the declivity in a series of great 

 transverse ridges. At the base of the fall, the chasms 

 are closed, but the ridges in part remain forming 

 protuberances, which run like vast wrinkles across 

 the glacier. These protuberances are more and more 

 bent because of the quicker motion of the centre, and 

 the depressions between them form receptacles for the 

 Bne raud and debris washed by the little rills from the 

 adjacent slopes. 



3f;7. The protuberances sink gradually through the 

 wasting action of the sun, so that long before Trelaporte 

 is reached they have wholly disappeared. Xot so the 

 dirt of which they were the collectors : it continues to 



