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T h is hypothesis seems to be opposed by th e observations made by
Captain Ross, th a t the red snow penetrated at some places as much as 12
feet beneath the su rfa c e ; b u t another traveller, on board the Alexander,
expressly contradicts this statement b y saying, th a t it was never found
deeper than one or two inches. T h e observation made in Ita ly th a t white
snow fell both before and after th e red, is easily explained by what has
been said before ; and it is certainly more probable, when we consider th e
g re a t extent over which the phenomenon spread in one night, th a t the effect
should be as I have related upon a homogeneous surface, th an th a t red
snow should fall from the atmosphere, in a single night, th roughout the
whole of the Ita lian chain of mountains. T h a t this snow was perceived
a fter one night, I have in p a rt explained, as the red colouring ma tter
did not a ttra c t attention, till it had accumulated into a sufficient mass ;
and this will create little wonder in those naturalists who are accustomed
to examine infusory animals, and who are well aware how rapidly an
innumerable multitude sta rt into existence' u nder favourable circumstances.
I t now only remains for ns to determine what this substance really
is which has given rise to so much discussion.
D e S a ü s s u r e ’s opinion, th a t it might be th e pollen o f a plant, is
refuted at once by there being no plant with pollen o f a red colour. H e
does indeed endeavour to support his conjecture b y saying th a t th e pollen
may have been changed in its colour h y exposure to intense light
upon the Alps, B u t were this possible, it is inconsistent with chemical
analysis.
M r B a u e r ’s idea th a t it is a Fungus, is entitled to more consideration.
Nevertheless, I believe it to be entirely devoid o f foundation.
T h e F u n g i are the offspring o f darkness, and, so fa r from being aquatic,
they have mostly the p roperty of repelling water ; they grow best
in obscurity, and in a moist and foggy atmosphere* they are produced
by p u trid substances, and water destroys them ; properties in no way
applicable to a substance existing independent of putrefaction, in the
p urest water, th e most intense lig h t, and th e rare st atmosphere.
T h e Baron W r a n g e l regarded the object which he described, and
which I have shewn to be identical with th e red snow, as a lichen of
the genus L epraria, and was led to form this opinion by th e cru st which
it formed on limestone. T h is cru st I believe to be the sediment which
th e evaporation o f the water leaves on the ground. D e S a u s s u r e ’s observation,
th a t it is formed in melted snow, proves a t the same time th a t
it is not necessarily confined to stones. I t is also removed from Lepraria
not less by its form than by its chemical properties.
I t follows, therefore, th a t this ma tter must be either an Alga
or an infusory animal. B u t I am not aware o f any g re a t distinction
betwixt them, for there occur objects which might be equally claimed
by both. T h e re are Algce which produce Irfu so ria , and vice versa.
L a stly , there are Irfu so ria which at one period of their existence are endowed
with motion, and a t another seem to pass into a state of vegetation.
W e may observe, in conclusion, th a t th e colouring m a tte r of the
red snow is not without analogy among th e Algæ. E v e ry one is acquainted
with a green pulverulent substance on shady walls in autumn,
consisting of green globules, changing according to circumstances into
Oscillatoria muralis or Ulva crispa. T h is is most like L epraria herme-
sina. Tremella cruenta, Eng. Bot. (which must not be confounded
with Ulva montana, L ig h tf.) has also a g re a t resemblance to it ; both
are red, and consist o f minute globules ; b u t those of L epraria herme-
sina are free, instead of lying in a gelatine. I have therefore introduced
it into my Systema Algarum as a distinct genus, under the name
of Protococcus kermesinus *.
I f my views of this body, which may be denominated the Flower o f
the Snow, be correct, our admiration will only receive a new direction.
I f we cease to believe th a t Algæ or Irfuso ria descend in showers, we
must admit th a t the snow of a whole mountain may be covered, in the
course of a few days, by a red vegetation, strongly contrasted with its
own white hue. W e must admire th e activity of th a t Power which is
so universally diffused, fiUing th e bosom of even th e winter-snow with
Hfe and vegetation. I t is generally known th a t the colours of plants
become duller and paler in proportion as they are withdrawn from the
influence of light, and th a t the fields of the north boast of few b rig h t
hues, wliile the tropics abound w ith all th e splendour of colour. Y et the
north, in its Alps, approaches the source of light, and, by means of its
snows, condenses th e power of its beams, so as to produce th e same effects
as th e warmest summer. N a tu re in all her forms, ever different,
ever changing, is in one tiling only the same, ever new and equally
wonderful. ,
* In the Systema Algarum it is called ProtQcoccus nwalis,-m^Gr.