120 H. W. Pearson—Changes in the Sea-Level. 
support to Farrel’s contention, and that when we assume the surface 
of the sea to be held at abnormal levels of elevation or depression, 
determined by the rate and direction of flow, there is logic and merit 
in our position. 
Now, then, if these waters are so held at elevations of 3, 5, or 
10 feet above or below the normal, depending on the direction and 
velocity, it is an incontestable deduction that if the slightest change 
_ in direction or velocity of these currents takes place, these. waters 
should immediately alter their surface-level in corresponding degree, 
a rising sea-level at one location being necessarily accompanied by 
a falling sea-level at some not distant “point. 
We will now examine as to the probability or possibility of the 
occurrence of such suggested diversion and variation in currents. 
This question is almost a new one, but no difficulty should be 
encountered: in entertaining the conception that such changes may 
have taken ‘place in the past, notwithstanding the dearth of observation 
in this regard. 
Pillsbury’s study of the Gulf Stream has shown daily, hones 
and annual variations in flow, but these changes, owing to their short 
period, probably have little effect on the sea-level at distant points. 
His observations were not extended over a sufficient number of 
years to determine cycles of long period, but certain observations in 
this direction have been made by others, which are of such importance 
and have such direct bearing on the problem as to entitle them to 
mention. 
In ‘‘ Prehistoric Europe”? Mr. James Geikie, from consideration of 
the variation in life-forms between Cape Cod and the Bay of Fundy, 
inferred that the Gulf Stream formerly carried into the north 
a ‘“‘much greater body of heated water than now reaches such high 
latitude’ (p. 5038). 
Dr. James Croll, from study of the fossils in the Carse clays of 
Scotland, held that when these clays were deposited the mean Winter 
temperature must have been 10° or 15° lower than at present, and 
that the Gulf Stream was then ‘‘ considerably reduced.” (‘* Climate 
and Cosmology,” p. 115.) The recency of this change is affirmed 
by the fact that these clays contain many buried canoes and other 
relics of early man. 
In Popular Sci. Monthly, vol. xx, p. 668, Mr. James Geikie is again 
quoted. He therein shows that the climate of North-Western Europe 
has been, and may yet again be, modified by changes in the flow of 
the Gulf Stream. 
In the Smithsonian Report for 1869 M. Babinet discusses the 
deterioration in climate of Greenland and the Arctic regions generally 
during the last few centuries. His conclusion is that the only 
explanation of many observed facts connected with the movements of 
ice masses and variation of climate in those regions is found in 
a ‘‘diminution”” of the Gulf Stream, and he ‘‘ boldly affirms” that 
the current passing around North Cape is now decreasing and carrying 
less heat than formerly (p. 291). 
In the article ‘‘ Oscillations in the Sea-Level” (GuoLoeicaL 
Magazine, April, May, and June, 1901) this writer also, lke 
