110 DISCUSSIONS IN CLIMATOLOGY. 



south-polar area and the equator, so as to increase the 

 north-flowing currents and thus melt the Arctic ice, 

 would be an increase of the Antarctic ice ; but this 

 he considers impossible without some geographical 

 change. Without such a change, the Antarctic ice, he 

 maintains, would neither be increased nor diminished. 

 Hence it follows that without this change there is, 

 according to Mr. Wallace's theory, no possibility of 

 getting quit of our northern ice during interglacial 

 periods. 



This sweeping conclusion seems to be based on two 

 assumptions, both of which appear to me to be errone- 

 ous. First, that the "only" factor available is the 

 Antarctic ice ; and, secondly, that the Antarctic ice can 

 neither be increased nor diminished without some 

 geographical change. 



A Geographical Change not Necessary in order to 

 Remove the Antarctic Ice. — In reference to the first — 

 that the Antarctic ice is the " only " available factor — 

 I shall presently show that there are other causes 

 affecting the northward-flowing currents as power- 

 fully as the Antarctic ice. As to the second — that the 

 Antarctic ice can neither be increased nor diminished 

 materially without some geographical change — this is 

 an assumption based, no doubt, on the opinion which 

 he holds that the Antarctic ice is due to the elevated 

 nature of that continent. Of course, if this opinion 

 be correct, then, without a lowering of the land, the 

 ice can never disappear or be greatly changed in 

 amount by astronomical or physical causes. But 

 from what has already been stated in Chapter V. 

 in reference to the condition of the Antarctic regions, 

 I think it likely that they probably consist of low 

 dismembered land or of groups of flat islands little 

 elevated above sea-level, but all fused together by 



