Hill. —Geology of Haiokes Bay. 453 



is a very small one, representing, as it does, only a difference 

 of about 3 degrees of temperature; and this certainly would 

 not be sufficient to bring about a glacial climate in the South 

 Island. Those wishing to read an interesting summary of the 

 views of writers on a supposed Glacial period in the South 

 Island are referred to vols, iv., v., vi., and vii. of the Trans- 

 actions. In the latter volume Mr. W. Travers reviews the 

 opinions of Sir Julius von Haast on the " Supposed Pleistocene 

 Glaciation of New Zealand," and, whilst believing that a 

 Glacial period has taken place in the country, does not con- 

 sider there was any more glaciation than ordinary during the 

 Pleistocene period, and believes that the Glacial epoch of New 

 Zealand took place during the Miocene period, soon after the 

 elevation of the present mountains, which at that time stood 

 some 4,000ft. higher than they do now. I cannot find from the 

 Transactions that any paper has been written suggesting that 

 a Glacial period took place in the North Island at the same 

 time as the supposed one did in the South Island, although it 

 might be assumed that any causes which produced, or tended 

 to produce, a colder climate in the South Island beyond what 

 is warranted by a difference in latitude and elevation must 

 have affected, though in a less degree, the climate of the 

 North Island. 



Before inquiring as to whether this Island,' and, in particular, 

 whether Hawke's Bay, has been subjected to glacial action it 

 may be well to inquire what remains there are in a country 

 which are considered as evidences of a Glacial period. We are 

 sure that this district has been affected time after time by the 

 volcanic outbursts that have taken place in the interior of the 

 Island, by the fact that volcanic products are to be met with 

 over the entire country, and distributed in such a manner as 

 to leave no doubt as to the way those products came to occupy 

 their present position. And the same thing must be done in 

 pursuing the inquiry as to whether a glacial epoch has ever 

 occurred in this district. In England and other countries 

 that are said to have passed through more than one glacial 

 epoch the evidence for such is said to be found, — 



1. In the distribution of moraines and drifts — the direct 

 products of glaciers ; 



2. In the presence of lakes or tarns in mountainous dis- 

 tricts ; 



3. In the finding of erratics or isolated rocks in places 

 where no similar rocks are to be found, such as granites or 

 conglomerates ; 



4. In the peculiar shapes of the hills or bosses where 

 glaciers have existed ; 



5. In the scratchings or markings upon the hard rocks in 

 places once covered by glaciers. 



