PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OE LONDON 



SESSION 1918-19. 



November 6th, 1918. 



Mr. Gr. W. Lamplugh, F.B.S., President, 

 in the Chair. 



The List of Donations to the Library was-read. 



The Peesident read a communication that he had received 

 from Prof. Chaeles Baeeois, D.Sc, F.M.GT.S., in reply to con- 

 gratulations sent on the occasion of the evacuation of Lille by the 

 enemy forces. 



A Discussion on the Antarctic Ice-Cap and its Borders 

 was introduced by Sir Douglas Mawsojs", D.Sc, B.E., F.G-.S. 



Sir Douglas Mawson said that, at the last Meeting of the 

 Society, the subject of the Antarctic Ice- Cap was reviewed in its 

 broader aspects, chiefly with the view of promoting a discussion 

 among those specially interested in Glaciology. The present 

 occasion had been reserved for the Discussion, and he proposed to 

 show certain lantern-slides in order to bring the salient features 

 freshly to mind. 



Though much of the foundation of the Antarctic Ice- Cap is cer- 

 tainly elevated land, it is quite possible that elsewhere the dome 

 rests upon a floor actually below sea-level. In any case it is most 

 probable that the smooth ice-surface masks a very irregular rock- 

 basement. The thickness of the ice may, therefore, be expected to 

 be extremely variable, doubtless reaching a maximum of several 

 thousands of feet. 



An ice-formation of such magnitude introduces questions relating 

 to the flow of its substance and the abrasion of its foundations which 

 do not enter into the physics of ice-masses of smaller dimensions. 



YOL. LXXY. a 



