310 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE GLACIAL EPOCH. 



there Ijeen any glaciers in former times, and this is certain!}' the case on the 

 mainhand. The northernmost part of Asia has therefore never been covered 

 by such an ice-sheet as is assumed hy the supporters of a general ice age 

 embracing the whole globe."* 



The facts, as set forth in the preceding pages, show clearly that ice and 

 snow are very differently distributed in different portions of the Northern 

 Polar regions. And it will require but little examination to convince the 

 inquirer that where the amount of precipitation is small — no matter how 

 high the latitude, or how low the mean temperature — there glaciers will not 

 be formed, and snow will not lie during the whole year. It is only when 

 the Avinter snow-fall is so abundant that the summer sun cannot melt it all 

 away, that the ground remains permanently covered. It is also evident 

 that snow may remain permanently', and 3'et not be converted into ice, as 

 shown in the case of the farthest northern land on the west side of Kennedy 

 Channel. 



Examination of the climatic conditions prevailing in that part of the 

 globe where there exists the most thorough glaciation will show at once that 

 the lands thus covered by ice and snow are exceptionally situated with 

 reference to prevailing winds and ocean ciu'rents, so that they unite all the 

 requisites for the accumulation of snow in large quantity, its descent into 

 resj^ions where durintj; the Polar summer it becomes converted into ice, and 

 finally in the form of icebergs is carried to more southerly latitudes to be 

 converted back to water, and thus be ready to be taken up as moisture, and 

 again to fall as snow on the mountains of Greenland and the groups of 

 islands lying farther to the northeast. 



Before proceeding to a brief discussion of the facts laid before the reader 

 in the present section, it will be proper to examine the climatic and glacial 

 conditions prevailing in the Southern Polar regions, to see if any additional 

 light can be thrown on the jjroblems before us from that quarter of the 

 globe. 



Our knowledge of the North Polar lands and seas — unsatisfactory as it 

 may seem to be — is still very complete, as compared with the little which 

 has been definitely found out in regard to the regions at the opposite Pole. 

 Indeed, a few pages will suffice to tell all that we know of those lands on 

 which the foot of the scientific explorer has never trod for more than a few 



* 1. c, Vol, I. p. 41 S ; GermaM edition, Vol. I. p. 379. The above quotation has been coiTected from the 

 English translation, which is full of errors. 



