Appendix C. 
neglected; nor do the underlying ones appear to have any great developments, 
judging at least from the frontal moraines, which are never very extensive. 
The position of the glaciers likewise includes the existence of depressions 
in which snow might be collected; falling on the whole surface of the glacier, 
the snow passes directly and rapidly to the state of ice, a phenomenon which 
is easily explained by the atmospheric conditions of these highlands, which, 
during certain hours of the day often tend to develop high temperatures. 
One of the characteristics of the Ruwenzori glaciers is the presence of 
enormous cornices from which hang multitudes of large stalactites, which 
become a firm support to the cornices themselves. The origin of these curious 
stalactites is again to be sought in the special meteorological conditions, which 
tend to rapid changes of temperature not only between day and night, but also 
at different times of the day itself, according to the state of the weather. 
Another noteworthy feature is the water welling up in front of the 
glaciers, which never presents that turbid look which, under like conditions, 
is seen in the melting waters of the Alpine glaciers. The water is perfectly 
limpid, which shows that the movement of the glaciers is but slight, at least 
at present. Hence the erosion must also be insignificant, and this again 
explains the absence of considerable underlying moraines. 
In fact, all the Ruwenzori glaciers are nowadays in a state of rapid 
retreat. Of this proof is afforded in the recently abandoned morainic 
formations which are noticed in many places; in the wide areas of polished 
rocks at the sides and in front of the glaciers; in a zone not yet invaded 
by the mosses and lichens, which are typically abundant even on the most 
elevated tracts of the range; lastly, in the whitish colour so often noticed 
on the surface of those rocks which have only recently got rid of the mantle 
of snow and ice by which they were formerly covered. 
Erosive Phenomena .—On the lower part of the Ruwenzori Range identical 
climatic conditions lead to the identical phenomena of meteoric denudation 
that are also observed in Uganda. We have accordingly an abundant laterite 
formation on which a rank herbaceous vegetation is developed; here also is 
that rounded form of the exposed rocks with their sham aspect of roches 
moutonnees above indicated; further, the outward protrusion of some of the more 
durable components; the cleavage of the rock in superficial slabs, and so on. 
The zone of the old morainic formations is clothed with a dense arboreal or 
bushy vegetation of tropical type, and this protects the underlying soil from 
erosive action. Here and there, however, are noticed rents and rifts caused by 
the torrential and swelling waters, with formations in some places of typical 
fungi-form rocks, as near Nakitawa. 
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