ALPINE SCULPTURE. 243 



tains altogether, and the grand effects which it pro- 

 duced in the earlier portions of its course entirely dis- 

 appear. 



I have hitherto confined myself to the consideration 

 of the broad question of the erosion theory as compared 

 with the fracture theory; and all that I have been able 

 to observe and think with reference to the subject 

 leads me to adopt the former. Under the term erosion 

 I include the action of water, of ice, and of the at- 

 mosphere, including frost and rain. Water and ice, 

 however, are the principal agents, and which of these 

 two has produced the greatest effect it is perhaps im- 

 possible to say. Two years ago I wrote a brief note 

 ( On the Conformation of the Alps,' * in which I as- 

 cribed the paramount influence to glaciers. The facts 

 on which that opinion was founded are, I think, un- 

 assailable; but whether the conclusion then announced 

 fairly follows from the facts is, I confess, an open 

 question. 



The arguments which have been thus far urged 

 against the conclusion are not convincing. Indeed, 

 the idea of glacier erosion appear so daring to some 

 minds that its boldness alone is deemed its sufficient 

 refutation. It is, however, to be remembered that a 

 precisely similar position was taken up by many ex- 

 cellent workers when the question of ancient glacier 

 extension was first mooted. The idea was considered 

 too hardy to be entertained; and the evidences of 

 glacial action were sought to be explained by reference 

 to almost any process rather than the true one. Let 

 those who so wisely took the side of * boldness ' in that 

 discussion beware lest they place themselves, with 

 reference to the question of glacier erosion, in the 

 position formerly occupied by their opponents. 

 * Phil. Mag. vol. xxir. p. 169. 



