A. Anderson — On Changes of Climate. 351 



Upper Coal-measures in these denuded hollows, first filling them 

 up, then covering such islands of older Coal-measures as might 

 remain. 



These statements may appear startling to those who have not 

 made a study of the subject ; but I can assure them that if they will 

 mentally peel off the Upper Coal-metisures, they will find beneath 

 the vacuities produced by this denudation, and such islands of older 

 Coal-measures as may have been left. They will find that they have 

 exposed to view an ancient valley, and the gradually sloping side of 

 the Coalbrookdale Coal-measures thickening as they retreat from 

 the influence of the waters. 



Still further, if they will peel off the Old Coal-measures, they will 

 find a surface where the hollows have been filled up with Millstone 

 G-rit, leaving higher ground of Silurian rock, and it is only by 

 dealing with the subject in this way that one can realize to one's 

 self the events which must have taken place. These truths, never- 

 theless, are far less astounding than those which are unfolded to us ■ 

 by other sciences, and furthermore they are not statements which 

 are invented to amuse, but they are truths upon which great com- 

 mercial undertakings in mining are based. 



V. — On Changes of Climate and Extinction of Mammalia.^ 

 By Alex. Anderson, Esq., J.P., Victoria, Vancouver. 



IT has been argued by some that the seas were anciently cooler 

 than at the present day, and that thence certain ulterior effects 

 might be assumed. Without treating of the supposed effects, I wish 

 to state that the premiss itself seems to me inconsistent with what, 

 geologically viewed, appears to be the order of transition through 

 which our planet has passed in its successive changes. My own un- 

 professional view, founded upon grounds generally admitted, has 

 been that, from a temperature originally much higher, the oceans had 

 gradually cooled down under adequate influences to the mean 

 temperatures which they now maintain under the permanent climatic 

 conditions of the globe ; and indeed that the peculiar condition dis- 

 tinguished by geologists as the " Glacial Period " was but the effect 

 of the rapid condensation of the vapours arising during the long- 

 continued process of cooling, under a great and sudden organic 

 change. I will not, however, dwell on this point, lest I should seem 

 but to iterate arguments that have already proceeded from other 

 sources." Nevertheless, I venture further into the consideration of 

 abstruse points connected therewith, in vindication of the position I 



1 Communicated to Prof. Eupert Jones, F.R.S.,in a letter dated December 10th, 1870. 



2 I make this remark because I met Avith a brief notice in the scientific columns 

 of the London Illustrated News of August 13th, 1864, from Avhich I learn that 

 Prof. Frankland, in a then recent lecture, had enunciated views on this subject 

 almost coincident with my own : and also that Prof. De la Rive, of Geneva, had pro- 

 mulgated a similar opinion as far back as 1852. That I feel flattered by the support 

 which my modestly conceived opinion receives incidentally from tlicse liigh authorities, 

 I need not add ; and also that I am thereby rendered the less diffident in its ex- 

 pression. 



