The supercooling of water in nature occurs more frequently than is generallyknown. It always takes place when still water is in process of being covered with thefirst ice needles. It is of even greater importance when ice formation takes place in running and turbulent water, in which case it represents the necessary conditions for the formation of frazil and anchor ice. The supercooling may be observed by a sensitive thermometer when the bulb is heated before being immersed in the water. The degree of supercooling of still water may be more than 1° C. in a thin surface layer as the author has demonstrated by measuring the temperature by a recording thermopile exposed to radiation from the surface. It is emphasized that the state of supercooling in water is a stable one, the formation of ice being dependent upon the existence of nuclei or solid boundary surfaces from which crystallization will start and from which liberated heat of solidification will flow. This process of thermal conduction needs time.

Various attempts have been made in recent years to overcome the difficulties inherent in the study of clouds by reproducing them on a small scale in the laboratory. The present article briefly reviews some of these experiments, particularly those relating to the formation of ice crystals, and discusses the extent to which the laboratory results accord with what is known of natural clouds. Recent experiments on the artificial stimulation of rainfall are also examined for the light they throw on the part played by ice nuclei in the formation of rain.

The melting of glacier ice always begins at the surface of the glacier grains. A mass of glacier ice at a temperature near its melting point is therefore an aggregate of crystals separated by a film of liquid. The electrical conductivity of ice subjected to differential melting differs considerably according to whether the fractions come from the grain surfaces or from the crystal centres, being much the higher in the former case. It is concluded therefore that the glacier grain consists of a crystal of pure ice with a surrounding film of brine, thus verifying the hypotheses of Buchanan and of Quincke on the formation of natural and artificial ice.

The growth of the grain is facilitated by the elimination of the saline skin between neighbouring crystals, the resulting coalescence having the character of autogenous welding. On the other hand, the intergranular film of liquid may act as a lubricant in the as yet inadequately explained mechanism of glacier flow.

The author describes the work of Dr. V. Vareschi on the pollen content of glacier ice. A general account of the method of analysis is given. The results of statistical evidence of the analyses on several alpine glaciers are discussed, particularly in regard to the general nature of glacier flow in different parts of the glaciers. Vareschi’s suggestions as to the modes of origin of a certain type of ogive banding and of parallel banding (Pflugfurcheneis) are dealt with in the light of his findings. It is pointed out that what appears to be a valuable new approach to the solution of glacier flow problems needs elaboration before it can be accepted in all its bearings.