CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 



THE FAILURE OF ATTEMPTS TO ACCOUNT FOR SECULAR 

 CHANGES OF CLIMATE. 



PAGE 



Most important Problem in Terrestrial Physics. — Early Attempts 

 to explain Geological Climate. — Ly ell's Theory. — Theory of 

 Change in Obliquity of Ecliptic. — Theory of Change in Axis 

 of Rotation. — Tendency in Geology to Cataclysmic Theories. 

 — The True Theory not Cataclysmic. — An Important Differ- 

 ence, . . . . ... . . . . .1 



CHAPTER II. 



MISAPPREHENSIONS REGARDING THE PHYSICAL THEORY OF 

 SECULAR CHANGES OF CLIMATE. REPLY TO CRITICS. 



Reason for considering Professor Newcomb's Objections. — Logical 

 Analysis rather than Mathematics required in the meantime. 

 — Temperature of Space. — Law of Dulong and Petit. — Heat 

 Conveyed by Aerial Currents. — Why the Mean Temperature 

 of the Ocean ought to be greater than that of the Land. — 

 Heat Cut Off by the Atmosphere, 17 



CHAPTER III. 



MISAPPREHENSIONS REGARDING THE PHYSICAL THEORY OF 



SECULAR CHANGES OF CLIMATE. REPLY TO CRITICS. 



Continued. 



Tables of Eccentricity. — Influence of Winter in Aphelion. — Influ- 

 ence of a Snow-covered Surface. — Heat Evolved by Freezing. 

 — The Fundamental Misconception. — The Mutual Reaction 

 of the Physical Agents. — Explanation begins with Winter. 

 — Herr Woeikof on the Cause of Glaciation, . . .38 



