220 SIR HENRY H. HOWORTH^ D.O.L.^ F.R.S., ON ICE OR WATER. 



J. W. Spencer. To these may be added Dr. IS'ansen and the 

 author of this essay.* The gist of this theory is that it attributes 

 the cold climate of the glacial period to the elevation of the 

 land far above the present levels, as shown by the submerged (or 

 " drowned '') valleys continuous with those of the present day and 

 passing under the ocean down into the abyssal floor as shown 

 by the soundings. Sir Henry Howorth admits that this theory 

 has a good deal to be said for it. He says " The one theory 

 which still has a respectable following, not in this country, 

 but in America,! is the so-called Epeirogenic theory of an 

 ice age. It is based on a very plausible and true idea, namely, 

 that the low temperature of high latitudes is very largely 

 caused by, and dependent on, the high level of the land 

 there, and if we could secure a sufficiently elevated mass of 

 land in high latitudes in so-called glacial times we should 

 have done a good deal to explain the glacial theory." (Vol. ii, 



P-2-) . . . 



Now this, I maintain, has actually been done : and it is no 



fault in our author that he has not seen his way to accept 

 this theory, because much of the evidence on which the fact 

 of the high elevation not only of the Arctic regions, but of 

 those lying to the south of the Arctic circle, has been founded 



* In my paper on "Another Possible Cause of tlie Glacial Period," 

 Trans. VicL Inst., 1898. 



t The statement that the Epeirogenic theory has not many adherents 

 in tliis country is only partly true. Like every new idea, it takes time 

 to spread ; but thfit it is gaining adherents there can be no doubt. The 

 existence of the submerged valleys is scarcely denied by any who have 

 taken the trouble to examine the matter for themselves. There is only 

 one outspoken opponent, and Professor Spencei' has sufficiently answered 

 him ; but my charts with the isobathic contours, showing the sub'oceanic 

 terraces and valleys, have been laid before Lord Kelvin, Lord Avebury, 

 Mr. Teall, Lord Ducie, Professor Spencer and others, besides scientitie 

 assemblies in Dublin, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow, two of these 

 being British Association Meetings; and lastly, the Eoyal Geographical 

 Society and the Victoria Institute. I here insert a copy of a letter 

 recently received from Professor T. Eupert Jones, F.R.S., formerly 

 Secretary to the Geological Society, which will serve to show the views of 

 a very leading and experienced geologist on the subject of the suhmerged 

 valleys. The letter is dated 18th June, 1905, and is as follows: — 

 " Dear Dr. Hull,— I am delighted to tind that your conclusions with 

 regard to the ' Submarine Platform and Valleys ' have been so clearly 

 and exhaustively reviewed with pleasing concurrence and strong su))]j(»rt 

 by Dr. Sjjencer in his ])aj)er ])ul)lis]ied in the American Geohnjist of March 

 last, and of which he has kindly sent me a co])y." Till 1 received this 

 gratifying letter, I was unaware that Professor Eurert Jones was a sup- 

 yjorter of my views. That he is so is a source of much satisfaction. --E.H. 



