Meteorological Observations taken in Edinburgh. 137 



X. Solar Energy in Relation to Ice. By J. G. Goodchild, 

 F.G8., F.Z.S. 



(Read 20th April 1898 ; received for publication April 1899.) 



A large number of the natural processes with which the 

 geologist is concerned may be said to arise chiefly from the 

 interaction of the two opposing causes, Solar Energy and 

 Gravitation. This is especially true of ice ; and as there has 

 been much difference of opinion with regard to the relative 

 proportion in which, in this case, these two factors divide the 

 work, it may serve a useful purpose if some of the facts and 

 inferences connected with glacier ice are passed in review. 



Glacier ice was formerly snow ; snow came from aqueous 

 vapour ; aqueous vapour represents what was once water — 

 sea-water chiefly ; and that water was distilled from the broad 

 surface of the ocean by the action of the Sun. Therefore, 

 without the action of the Sun, as Tyndall and others have 

 remarked, there could be no glaciers. Glacial conditions on 

 one part of the earth are, consequently, the natural correla- 



