SIR HENRY H. HOWOKTH, D.C.L., F.R.S., OX ICE OR WATER. 227 



Professor LoGAX Lobley, F.G.S., said : — I have not had the 

 advantage of reading Sir Henry Howorth's work, and so I am 

 scarcely prepared to discuss. 



I am very glad to be present to hear the remarks of Professor Hull. 

 I generally agree with what he has to say on geological subjects, 

 and in his paper I am almost in full agreement — there may be one 

 or two little points on which I difter — but generally speaking I am 

 Cjuite in agreement. 



The great C[uestion of the cause of the glacial period, as it is 

 termed, has been worked out, I think, very well by those who have 

 supported the Epeirogenic theory. I may say I am very much in 

 accord with that theory. The fact of there having been a glacial 

 period can admit of no doubt from those who observe nature in 

 the regions which have been subjected to this inferential glacial 

 action. Two or three weeks ago I was in North Wales and I saw 

 there abundant evidence of glacial action. These evidences of 

 course are well known to geologists. Mr. Pilkington has said that 

 there could not have been a glacial period. I should recommend 

 him to take a little tour to Xorth Wales and see for himself the 

 evidence that there has been such a glacial period. He says the 

 earth is too hot now and oppressive ; when it was cooler there 

 could not have been any glacial period ; but may I venture to say 

 that there is a glacial period now which he cannot doul)t. There 

 is a glacial period in Greenland at the present time. Is the earth 

 too hot for glacial conditions there 1 There is a glacial period all 

 round the North Pole and all round the South Pole, where we 

 have glaciers going off fully thirty miles in length. My friend 

 William Bruce, of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, passed an 

 iceberg as large as the Isle of Man, floating past the land area 

 which surroimds the South Pole ; so we have a glacial period on the 

 earth at the present time in certain areas, and the only question is 

 whether these glacial conditions have been more extensive at that 

 time than they are at present ; not whether there is or has been a 

 glacial period. There is a glacial period. The only question is 

 whether the glacial conditions now existing have at a former 

 period extended over more extensive regions than at present. We 

 have, not only in North Wales, but in the North of England, the 

 Lake District, in AVales and many parts of England and Ireland, 

 sure evidences of previous glacial action. 



