106 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. iv. 



cone. There a long halt was made ; the wind 

 had increased as we rose ; here it was cutting, 

 and driving fine particles of frozen snow against 

 faces and hands ; the veil became less manageable. 

 I resumed my coat, which I had stript on entering 

 the glacier. Every step of the steep ascent sunk 

 knee-deep in the powdery frozen snow. Our stout 

 party was long before obliged to progress, each 

 hand upon an alpenstock, carried horizontally be- 

 tween two guides ; here his friend Hinchliff lent 

 additional help, and we left them bearing him 

 up, like Sisyphus his stone. Only once I felt the 

 nausea described by many who toil up declivities 

 in much rarefied air. I stopped, held down my 

 head, and then proceeded by slow steps, directing 

 volition strongly into the leg-muscles, and it soon 

 went off. I kept the same position, and only 

 became aware of the near termination of the 

 climb by hearing a " Hurrah! Bravo Professor! 

 Here's a macintosh ready for you ! " Upon which I 

 gladly threw myself at full length and breathed 

 more freely. 



' I then looked round and saw nothing 

 higher, save the now distant summit of Monte 

 Rosa, which had seemed nearer until its true 

 magnitude with that of the base of the Cima 

 could be appreciated. A keen and strong current 

 of biting air from the north-west. All on that 

 side, to windward, in bright and cloudless sun- 

 shine ; all on the opposite Italian side in closer 



