38 PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 
Mr. W J McGee: The phenomena of glacier ice and névé ice 
appear to belong to a graduating series; and in eonsequence the 
two phases can only be arbitrarily discriminated. Any classifica- 
tion depending upon coincidence of the loci of apparent transition 
from the first phase to the second with oct of sudden constriction 
or abrupt acclivity in the valley is artificial and incompetent, 
since such coincidence is fortuitous; the classification depending 
upon the ability of the second phase to sustain bowlders upon its 
surface is superficial and incompetent (provided such ability be due 
to density of the ice), since the sub-surface density of the névé, 
being determined by its age and the pressure of the superincumbent 
mass, must, in some portions, equal the surface density of the gla- 
cier; and the classification depending upon rate of motion is equally 
incompetent, since motion is common to the entire ice-mass, and. 
abruptly varies only where conditions of glacier-bed are suddenly 
variant. Arbitrary diagnostic characters may and should be, how- 
ever, agreed upon by consense among glacialists. Perhaps the 
most satisfactory line of demarkation detectable is the snow-line, 
above which superficial débris is buried by precipitation, and below 
which it is exposed by ablation. 
Mr. W. H. Datu: It is proper to discriminate masses of ice 
moving in a definite direction from the immense fields of ice which 
are practically stationary. The term “glacier” should be restricted 
to the former. A glacier is a mass of ice with definite lateral 
limits, with motion in a definite direction, and originating from 
the compacting of snow by pressure. Moraines are not diagnostic; 
and the definition should not include those masses of arctic ice 
which, by reason of their low temperature, are fixed in position. 
Mr. T. C. CoaAmBerytin: Nomenclature is a matter of conveni- 
ence. When subjects rise into familiar thought and frequent 
reference brevity of expression calls for specific names. But terms 
arising thus from a natural demand are not closely discriminative. 
Hard and fast lines of demarcation do not prevail in nature, but 
rather gradations of character. Were it otherwise names of sharply- 
defined application could be more freely used. The terms névé and 
glacier doubtless originated to satisfy the convenience of guides and 
travelers, and were without strict scientific application. In attempt- 
ing to give them scientific definition, I think we shall,fail of satis- 
faction by making them structural terms. The better distinction 
