PROCEEDINGS, JUNE. XE 
he said it might be due to the greater elevation of the land and geogra- 
phical changes, resulting in a redistribution of sea and land, diversion of 
ocean currents, and so or, or it might be due to astronomical causes as 
so lucidly explained by Sir Robert Ball in his recently published little 
book on ‘‘ The cause of an ice age.” It was probable that the refrigera- 
tion of the climate of Tasmania, which led to the gathering of glaciers on 
its high mountains, was due to the causes insisted on by Dr. Croll and 
Sir Robert Ball. While inclined to believe that the ice-covering was 
more extensive than Mr. R. M. Johnston was disposed to allow, he 
agreed with him in the main, and did not think that the whole country 
could have been ice-bound. Many of our indigenous animals existed in 
the colony before the probable date of the glaciation, and if the latter 
had been extreme would have been killed out altogether; in which case, 
if he was right in referring the cold period to a time subsequent to the 
severance of Tasmania from the Australian continent, there would have 
been no chance of a fresh stock having been obtained from the mainland 
after the climate again became milder. Outside this colony evidences of 
glacial action had been found in the Australian Alps and on the beach 
near Adelaide. A quotation from the Challenger reports showed that 
Kerguelen Land had been at no very ancient date completely covered by 
heavy ice. Mr, Jack, in referring to this, points out that if the Antarctic 
ice cap were extended to cover Kerguelen Land, there would be no 
improbability of its also reaching the shores of Australia, The whole 
subject, said Mr. Montgomery in conclusion, was most interesting, and 
had numerous aspects on which more light was required, and fresh 
proof cf the extent and date of the glacial action all over the Southern 
Hemisphere would be eagerly looked forward to. 
THE GLACIER EPOCH OF AUSTRALASIA. 
Mr. R. M. Jounston, F.L.S., read an elaborate ‘‘ Review of the 
evidences of former glaciation in Australasia, with critical observations 
upon the principal causal hypotheses which have been advanced to 
account for glacial epochs generally.” In introducing the subject, he 
said :—The study of the geology of the globe we live in presents many 
fascinating subjects. In its cosmical aspect we may confine ourselves to 
speculations as to its mode of origin from nebular matter to the final 
stages which culminated in its specific differentiation as a subordinate 
among many other members of the solar system. In its geognosy we may 
revel in the nature and complexity of the combinations of the elements 
which constitute its varied rocky materials. I1n its geotecionic or 
‘ structural aspect we may enter upon questions relating to the nature of 
and the manner in which the architecture of the earth’s crust has been 
developed, modified, or transformed. In its dynamical aspects we may 
inquire into the complex causal forces which are, or have been,engaged 
in producing disturbances, movements, and changes in its physical 
structure. In its stratigraphical aspect we may devote our atteption in 
tracing the chronological sequence and relationship of the various for- 
mations which comprise its visible crust or shell. In its physiographicaé 
aspect we may dwell upon its surface feature of mountain, valley, plain, 
plateau, lake, canon, river bed, or ocean abyss, and try to understand 
the causes which have operated in producing its sculptured form, and, 
finally, in its paleontological aspect, we may trace the history of the 
organic life forms whose remains are found preserved in the rocks, their 
succession or evolution, and their relationship to the corresponding 
succession of rocks. The geological field is thus wide and varied, and 
we may become so absorbed in the investigation of any one division of 
* the several aspects referred to as to forget the claims and importance 
of the others. It is well, therefore, from time to time, that we should 
have our attention aroused to the claims and interests of branches of 
geological study outside of that to which each of us respectively may 
