BY R. M. JOHNSTON, F.L.S. 8 
most southerly limits of the low-lying Australian Continent. 
In Western Europe, during the great ice age, there is no evi- 
dence of the great ice sheet extending further south than 51° 
north latitude. When we consider that the most southerly 
point of Australia corresponds with Lisbon in north latitude, 
or 12° to the south of Ireland, we may more readily compre- 
hend the improbability of an extension of the southern polar 
cap to any part of the Australian Continent under similar 
conditions to those of the European ice age. 
Evidences of comparatively recent Glactation on the Australian 
Mainland, as Recorded by Various Observers.—Subsequent to 
the earlier observations of Selwyn, Daintree, and others in 
respect of ancient glacial phenomena in rocks of Permo- 
Carboniferous age, it would appear that Professor Tate, in the 
year 1877, was the next observer who drew particular atten- 
tion to the existence of glacial phenomena on the mainland 
of Australia of a comparatively recent date. Jn a paper of a 
later date, read before the Australasian Association for the 
Advancement of Science (Proc. 1887, pp. 231, 232), entitled 
“ Glacial Phenomena in South Australia,’ he again describes 
the nature of the evidence upon which he bases his conclu- 
sion as to their glacial origin. He describes the glaciated 
surface as well developed on the coast cliffs at Hallet’s Cove, 
south of Holdfast Bay, in St. Vincent Gulf. That is, therefore, 
in 35° south lat.; and, as the surface plane of the track in- 
ferred to have been polished by the ice is now only 40 feet 
above the level of the adjacent sea, it is more than probable 
that the track was marked prior to the final stage of the known 
upheaval of the floor of the old tertiary sea, whose remains 
in the vicinity, and as cliffs along the Great Australian Bight, 
form the most characteristic feature of the South Australian 
coast line. Professor Tate states that “The path of the 
glacier (?) is traceable for a distance of two miles along the 
top of the scarped cliffs, at about forty feet above the sea 
level; on the north it is cut off from the cliff by encroach- 
ment of the sea, from this point the glaciated surface is con- 
tinuous in a southerly direction for a distance of one mile to 
Black Point, the north headland of Hallet’s Cove. On the 
line of the glacier there now intervenes the long but narrow 
bay of Hallet’s Cove, but on the south headland the track is 
picked up on about the same trend, though apparently at a 
little higher level. Here again the glacier (?) path is soon 
cut out by removal of the cliff. On the north side of the 
cove the glaciated surface is beautifully displayed ; the edges 
of nearly vertical strata are sheared off, and when of quartzite 
the surface shows a high polish, and when of mudstones, 
conspicuous grooved and_ strie. Some moraine debris, 
including stones that have been beneath the glacier (?) occur 
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