1895 - 96 .] Mr James Milne on Manufactured Iron of 1807. 19 
carried from the cliffs above, the only vegetation being the 
numerous ranunculi, gentiana bavarica, and other Alpine flowers 
familiar to those who are accustomed to search for them at these 
high altitudes. 
I may here mention that we sprang a hen ptarmigan with a 
large brood of chicks ; and a few days previously, when alone in 
the next valley, a grand eagle sailed over my head almost within 
gunshot. I never before found either in the Alps, although I 
have a number of times come across chamois within shot. 
After visiting the Glacier and returning rather tired, as the 
day had been very sultry, I came upon this mass of iron. 
Naturally it attracted my attention, and I stopped to turn it over 
for examination; but being very tired I did not wait to take 
measurements, especially as a heavy thunderstorm had broken out 
and we were anxious to get home. 
We had a native cowherd with us, and on questioning him, he 
at once made mention of the “ chevalier ” in connection with this 
iron. I jumped to the conclusion that he referred to Napoleon, 
and that this piece of iron was well known; but on further 
interrogation I found neither this man, nor apparently any other 
about the district, had ever heard about it, and the man’s reference 
to the “ chevalier ” was simply that the block of iron might have 
been used by a shoeing smith. 
On thinking the matter over at home, I was satisfied that con- 
siderable interest might attach to this relic, so I determined to 
again visit the spot and take particulars, several others in the 
hotel also being desirous of seeing my find. 
The morning fixed on for the expedition turned out wet, with 
thick mist, which reduced the party to Colonel Armstrong, E.E., 
and myself. We got thoroughly soaked at the start, and for the 
first two and a half hours I quite despaired of finding my way, 
far less finding such a small article among such a chaos of rocks 
and stones. However, the mist lifted for a few minutes, and I 
found my bearings had been correct, and I had struck the right 
side valley and about the right level, and soon after the day 
cleared up into brilliant sunshine and a nice breeze, which quickly 
dried our clothes. 
I found the iron easily. It is lying quite close to the glacier 
