Review of the Glacial Theory. 259 



Anterior icings with confluent black spots, forming a longitudinal streak 

 from the base nearly or entirely to the apex; Anesychla Hlibner" — 

 " B. Anterior wings with distinct black spots and blotches of variable 

 size : Fseeadia Hiibner." Semihigens does not strictly belong in either 

 section but the ornamentation is nearer to that of section A. 



Revieiv of the Glacial TJieory, by S. A. Miller. 



[Read before the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, May 4th, 1875]. 



Mr. President — It is doubtless known, to the most of you, at least, 

 that Professor Newberry has been for several years an advocate of 

 certain views, which he and those who profess to believe with him call 

 the " Glacial Theory." He has discussed this theory over 200 or 300 

 pages of the Ohio Geological Survey, and finally laid down, in an 

 essay of about 80 pao-es. in the second volume of the Geology, his " best 

 impressions" upon the subject. It is not too much to say, that he 

 has presented the theory, in as favorable a light, as it has been presen- 

 ted by any other advocate, and if it is geology, no apology is necessary 

 for the space occupied in its consideration. 



I am not convinced, however, that there is any geology in his views, 

 or anything worthy to be called a geological theory. On the con- 

 trary, they seem to me to be a collection of wild absurdities, promis- 

 cuously thrown together. While having the highest regard for the 

 scholarly attainments and great geological information of Professor 

 Newberry upon matters in general, I am, nevertheless, disposed to 

 criticise his glacial theory, and to treat it lightly. It is proper to 

 criticise the theory of any man, even to ridicule it, because by testing 

 it we learn its strength. Facts in matters of science will take care of 

 themselves. 



He says that the Continent, since it had its present outlines and 

 ranges of mountains, and since the close of the Tertiary peri(jil, must 

 have stood several hundred feet higher than it does now. Where is 

 the evidence of such elevation, pray ? He says it is proved by the 

 great system of buried river channels. And where is that system ? 

 Echo will answer, Avhere? He says it is proved "by the deeply ex- 

 cavated troughs of the Hudson, Mississippi, Columbia, the Golden 

 Gate, &c., which could never have been cut by the streams that now 

 occupy them, unless when flowing with greater rapidity and at a lower 

 level than they now do." But every physicist knows, that the chan- 



