336 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF THE GLACIAL EPOCH. 



sea. It now forms one of the largest glaciers of Spitzbergen, and from it 

 great masses of ice are constantly falling, so that no boat can with safety 

 approach its edge, which is split up by numerous crevices."* 



Nordenskjiild also states that in many places on the island the glaciers 

 have been advancing rapidly during the past centuiy, and he especially 

 instances Ginevra Bay, which he thinks will soon become filled up with ice. 

 The cause of this, in his opinion, is to be found in the rapid elevation of 

 the land which seems to be going on.f These instances are here cited 

 because they seem to throw light on the manner in which the character 

 of the ice masses may change, in connection with, and probably in conse- 

 quence of, orographic changes in the region where they occur. 



The facts which have been stated in the preceding pages are fall of 

 interest as considered from the point of view of their application to current 

 theories of the Glacial epoch. It being certain that during the past fifty 

 years the glaciers of Southern Europe have been shrinking rapidly — the 

 extent over which this recession is manifesting itself proving that it is no 

 local matter with which we liave to do — we are naturally led to incpiire 

 what change of climatic conditions has taken place during this time to which 

 this diminution of . the ice masses can be reasonably referi'ed. For so 

 marked a phenomenon the records of meteorological observations now taken 

 with so much care and skill may surely be expected to furnish a satisfactory 

 explanation. 



Observations of the kind desired for this purpose have been kept up for 

 many years in various parts of the world and especially in Switzerland, the 

 very region Avhere tlie glaciers have been shrinking so rapidly. There could 

 be nothing better adapted lor throwing light upon the causes of this 

 recession than the series of meteorological observations at Geneva and at 

 the summit of the pass of the Grand St. Bernard, made with great accuracy 

 during the whole time that this diminution has been going on ; and, what 

 is equally important, these observations have been worked up with the great- 

 est .skill and critical acumen, as already mentioned in a previous chapter.! 

 These investigations embrace the years 182G to 1875, or almost exactly that 

 period during which, as we have seen, the recession became general, and had 

 continued, even in those regions where it began last, as much as fifteen or 



* Sveiisk.a Expeditioneii till Spetsbergen ocli .Ian Mayen, Stockholm, 1863-64, p. 77. 



t Sec NordL-nskjbld in Kbn. Sveuska Akadeujifus HiUidliiigar, Baudet IV. No. 7 (1863), and VI. No. 7, 1S66. 



X See anICf p. 2-7. 



