WOODWARD, POLAR GLAGJATION, ETC. 



601 



temperature greatly raised, and become an additional area of eva- 

 poration ; whilst that nearest the Poles would be an additional 

 area of condensation. 



As the ice extended and consolidated, it would gradually shut 

 off the warm currents of the ocean, now extending nearly to the 

 Pole ; and the heat so diverted would tend to assist and increase 

 evaporation, and thus precipitation would also be proportionably 

 increased. 



It is a fundamental part of Mr. Croll's theory, that the 

 glaciation of the two hemispheres should take place separately and 

 alternately. 



It is an equally fundamental principle of Mr. Belt's theory that 

 they should be glaciated simultaneously. 



In support of his views, Mr. Belt reminds us — 



{a.) That glacial conditions due to the obliquity of the Ecliptic 

 exist at the present time around both Poles. 



That more ice is heaped on the Antarctic regions than upon 

 the Arctic is explicable by the fact that a larger area for evapo- 

 ration is afforded in the southern hemisphere by its more extended 

 ocean-basins ; whereas, in the north, not only are the Arctic 

 regions almost encircled by lands, and so offer a far less area for 



Fig. 9. 



Fig. 9.— Diagram of the South-Polar Continent, to illustrate the vast land- 

 area forming the gathering ground for the great Antarctic Icebergs, referred 

 to by Mr. James Croll. 



The darker parts along the margins of the South-Polar Land indicate those 

 portions which have been more or less accurately surveyed, such as South- 

 Victoria Land (with Mount Erebus), Enderby Land, Trinity Land^ &c. 



