Glacières; or, Freezing Caverns

by Edwin Swift Balch

Rtanj, Servia. (A. Boué, La Turquie d’Europe, 1840, vol. I., page 132; Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, pages 72-74.)—This glacière is on the south side of Siljak, near the village Muzinac. A passage 60 meters long leads to a hall about 10 meters in height. Dr. Boué found snow here in August, the thermometer standing below freezing point. The people in the neighborhood told Dr. Boué that the snow is formed in June and disappears in September and that it is sometimes carried to Nisch. He also heard of similar cavities on the Bannat Mountain. Dr. Cvijic observed in the hall a temperature of +0.4° C.

Ledena Pec, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, pages 68, 69.)—On the Ledini Verh or Glacial Peak, at an altitude of 800 meters; distant one hour and a half from the village of Souvold. Length of passage 108 meters; at entrance about 6 meters, at end about 15 meters in height. On the 10th of May, 1893, there was plenty of ice and snow. Temperature of outside air +19° C.; inside air at rear +0.5° C. Probably permanent glacière.

Dobra Ledenica, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 70.)—West of Ledeno Brdo. Probably periodic glacière. On July 25th, 1890, the temperature of the outside air was +26° C.; of the inside air +3.5°C. Ledenica is the name for a glacière in Servia.

Ledenica in the Mala Brezovica, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 70.)—Length 43 meters. A large, permanent glacière. On July 28th, 1890, the outside air was +23°: inside air +2°.

Ledenica Treme in the Souva Planina, Servia. (Cvijic, Dr. A., Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 71.)—Altitude 1600 meters to 1700 meters. A rather large, probably permanent glacière. Plenty of ice in it on April 21st, 1894.

Zla Ledenica, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 72.)—On the Kucaj. A permanent glacière, 7 meters or 8 meters deep. On July 25th, 1890, outside air +25°; inside air at snow +6°.

Glacière on the Devica, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 74.)—Under the peak Lazurevica. Altitude 1000 meters. A narrow passage leads to a hall 17 meters long by 12 meters wide and 20 meters high. On June 30th, 1893, there was plenty of snow in the passage and ice in the hall.

Glacière Vlaska Pecura, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 74.)—On the Devica, under the Golemi Vech. A small periodic glacière.

Glacière in the Zdrebica, Servia. (Dr. A. Cvijic, Spélunca, vol. II., 1896, page 74.)—On the southeast side of the Souva Planina, near the village Veliki Krtchimir. A small periodic glacière. On April 20th, 1874, plenty of snow and ice.