Identifier: encyclopdiabri01chis (find matches)
Title: The Encyclopædia britannica; a dictionary of arts, sciences, literature and general information
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Chisholm, Hugh, 1866-1924
Subjects: Encyclopedias and dictionaries Encyclopedias
Publisher: Cambridge, Eng., New York : At the University press
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
ons are similar. On the opposite sides of the samechain the exposure to the sun or to warm winds may cause awide difference in the level of permanent snow; but in somecases the increased fall of snow on the side exposed to moistwinds may more than compensate the increased influence of thesuns rays. Still, even with these reservations, the so-called lineof perpetual snow is not fixed. The occurrence of favourablemeteorological conditions during several successive seasons mayand does increase the extent of the snov.-fields, and lower thelimit of seemingly permanent snow; while an opposite slate ofthings may cause the limit to rise higher on the flanks of themountains. Hence all attempts to fix accurately the level ofperpetual snow in the Alps are fallacious, and can at the bestapproach only to local accuracy for a particular district. Insome parts of the Alps the limit may be set at about 8000 ft. abovethe sea, while in others it cannot be placed much below 9500 ft. MAIN CHAIN) ALPS 739
Text Appearing After Image:
As very little snow can rest on rocks that lie at an angle exceeding60°, and this is soon removed by the wind, some steep massesof rock remain bare even near the summits of the highest peaks,but as almost every spot offering the least hold for vegetationis covered with snow, few flowering plants are seen above 11,000ft. There is reason to think, however, that it is the want of soilrather than climatal conditions that checks the upward extensionof the alpine flora. Increased direct effect of solar radiationcompensates for the cold of the nights, and in the few spots whereplants have been found in flower up to a height of 12,000 ft.,nothing has indicated that the processes of vegetation werearrested by the severe cold which they must sometimes endure.The climate of the glacial region has often been compared tothat of the polar regions, but they are widely different. Here,intense solar radiation by day, which raises the surface when dryto a temperature approaching 80° F., alternates wi

Note About Images