176 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
X. 
GEOLOGY. 
CompiLbeD BY W. T. Bianrorp, LL.D. FBS. 
THERE can be no question as to the geological interest attaching to 
the regions around the South Pole. Apart from ordinary subjects of 
geological inquiry, such as the presence and nature of sedimentary 
and volcanic formations, the occurrence of granitic and schistose crys- 
talline rocks, the relations of the different formations to each other, 
and the evidence of ancient forms of life afforded by fossils, there are two 
geological problems connected with the past history of the Antarctic 
area that are of especial importance. One of these is the climate of 
Antarctic regions in past times, the other the distribution of sea and 
land in the Southern Hemisphere at former periods. 
There are already scme indications that within the Antarctic, as 
within the Arctic circle, considerably higher temperatures than those 
now prevailing have existed in the past. Further observations are 
required to show whether the climate has been comparatively 
warm during the whole or the greater part of the world’s history 
before the latter portion of the Tertiary era, or whether warm and 
cold periods have alternated. The most useful information on 
these questions may be afforded by remains of animals and plants 
found imbedded in the rocks. The discovery of coal in particular 
would be of great scientific interest apart from its practical impor- 
tance, and should any be found, a careful search ought to be made for 
impressions of plants in the strata associated with the coal, both 
above and below the coal-seam. Search should also be made in the 
older strata for the evidence of glacial action afforded by boulder 
beds; large fragments of rock, sometimes striated, imbedded in a fine 
matrix would afford such evidence. 
The second problem, that of the distribution of sea and land in 
past times, and of former land connection between the Antarctic area 
and the Southern continental masses is of great interest, and the 
solution, if obtained, may not improbably throw light upon the old 
