A Theory of the Glacial Deposits

Abstract

THEY are wrong who think that little is left in England for a geologist to discover or do. Not only are there gaps to be filled up, and doubtful points to be made certain, but even whole fields remain where if labourers have been at work they have as yet reaped little fruit. Especially may an Alexander, sighing for a fresh world, be invited to turn his attention to what are called the glacial deposits. In area they extend over the greater part of the British Isles; in variety they far exceed the Archæans; in difference of opinion about them they would also exceed Archæans, if such an excess be possible. They have difficulties peculiarly their own. It is well said by the editor of this volume that in glacial geology not merely the interpretation of facts is debated, but there is dispute as to what the facts are themselves. Geologists of repute go to the same section, see the same phenomena, and describe them in contradictory terms. Mr. Clement Reid surveys the Cromer cliffs, and figures chalk masses ploughed up by glaciers. Mr. Mellard Reade examines the same cliffs, and sketches chalk masses dropped down by ice-floes. The questions connected with these deposits have been raised on the hills of Nicaragua and the banks of the Amazon. As their range of space, so their range of time: glacial phenomena have been described from the Permian epoch, and the Carboniferous. They seem to claim all time and all space as their province.

Papers and Notes on the Glacial Geology of Great Britain and Ireland.

By the late Henry Carvill Lewis (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1894.)