230 PROFESSOR JAMES GEIKIE, LL.D., D.C.L., F.R.S., ETC., ON 



the formation of the two series of glacial deposits must have 

 been prolonged, for the valleys during that interval Avere in 

 some places eroded to a depth of 900 feet. Not only was the 

 volcanic massif deeply incised, but even the old plateau of 

 crystalline rocks on which the volcanic cone reposes suffered 

 extensive denudation in interglacial times. M. Rames 

 further recognises that the second glacial epoch was marked 

 by two advances of the valley- glaciers, separated by a marked 

 episode of fusion, the evidence for which is conspicuous in 

 the valley of the Cere. 



The glacial and interglacial phenomena of Auvergne are 

 quite analogous to those of Cantal. Dr. Julien has described 

 the morainic accumulations of a large glacier that flowed 

 from Mont Dore. After that glacier had retreated a prolonged 

 period of erosion followed, when the morainic deposits were 

 deeply trenched, and the underlying rocks cut into. In the 

 valleys and hollows thus excavated freshwater beds occur, 

 containing the relics of an abundant flora, together with the 

 remains of elephant (E. meridionalis), rhinoceros (E. lepto- 

 rlrinns), hippopotamus, horse, cave-bear, hyeena, etc. — a fauna 

 comparable to that of the Italian interglacial deposits. 

 After the deposition of the freshwater beds, glaciers again 

 descended the valleys and covered the beds in question with 

 their moraines.* 



According to the researches of Martins, Collomb, Garrigou, 

 Piette, and Penck, there is clear evidence in the Pyrenees of 

 two periods of glaciation, separated by an interval of much 

 erosion and valley-excavation. Penck, indeed, has shown 

 that the valleys of the Pyrenees have been occupied at three 

 successive epochs by glaciers — each epoch being represented 

 by its series of moraines and by terraces of fluvio-glacial 

 detritus, which occur at successively lower levels. 



I have referred in some detail to these discoveries of inter- 

 glacial phenomena because they so strongly corroborate the 

 conclusions arrived at a number of years ago by glacialists 

 in our own country. Many additional examples might be 

 cited from other parts of Europe, but those already given 

 may serve to show that at least one epoch of interglacial 

 conditions supervened during the Pleistocene period. Before 

 leaving this part of my subject, however, I may point out 

 the significant fact that long before much was known of 



* Des Phenomenes glaciaires dans le Plateau Central de France, etc. 



