REVIEWS 189 
vior in ice granules, but it would not have touched the real question how 
they actually behave. Nothing truer can be said of this academic dis- 
cussion of a universal proposition substituted for a concrete and special 
one, than is said by the author in another part of his paper, where the 
aspect of his discussion is reversed: ‘‘But the laws of nature, considered 
apart from their special modes of action, have little interest or value in 
either theory or practice.” 
By way of showing how concrete and special the real propositions 
involved in the granular theory are, they may be put as follows: 
I. Glaciers are formed of individual crystalline granules. II. These 
are controlled by a strong crystalline force. III. They are, however, 
subject to growth and decadence, resulting in the extinction of some crys- 
tals and the enlargement of others, and in changes of relations to one 
another. IV. The crystals of any part seem to be the enlarged or reduced 
descendants of those in the part above. V. Collectively they persist 
throughout the whole glacial movement, and individually they seem to 
persist through some notable part of it, at least. VI. They participate in 
the changes of form and the changes of attitude involved in the glacial 
movement. Now: 
rt. If the granules are deformed by a viscous movement within them- 
selves, they should show the fact by the recognized characteristics of 
viscous deformation and flowage. 
2. If the granules are deformed by fracture and regelation, they should 
show the characteristics of this action. 
3. If they are deformed by the sliding of the gliding plates of the crys- 
tals over one another, they should show this. 
4. If they retain their crystalline integrity, save for additions and 
losses, they should show this. 
These are very definite, concrete alternatives, to be settled by studies 
on the actual phenomena of glaciers, and in no other way. The incom- 
patibility of the last with the first is the specific incompatibility urged, not 
the universal incompatibility of all kinds of crystallinity with all kinds of 
viscosity. 
No evidence of the first is known to the reviewer; the second is mani- 
fested locally; the third seems to have an important place under special 
conditions of stress; while the fourth seems to be abundantly evidenced 
by the characters and attitudes of the granules. Dr. Willcox is a young 
chemist, with a geological penchant, whose lack of personal familiarity 
with the intimate structure of glaciers does not permit him to discuss these 
propositions on the only basis that is entitled to weigh—that of observation. 
