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underlying strata whatever. A volcano is nothing more than matter ejected 
through a crack. That process of formation cannot be applied to mountain- 
ranges, which are not at all like volcanoes. They are due to the secular 
refrigeration of the earth’s surface. The superficial crust, by shri nking , 
must yield along the weakest lines, and so becomes crumpled. It is these 
crumplings (so to say) which produce mountain-ranges. With regard to the 
separation of the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods by a certain cataclysm, I 
do not think the evidence is at present sufficient to warrant it, though there 
may be some, to a slight extent, which might countenance it. Thus, when 
we consider the enormous range of the Mammoth ( Elephas primigenius ) 
througout Siberia, Northern America, and Europe as far south as Eome, and 
find that it had become extinct in the Neolithic period, it does look as if they 
had been swept oft" by some wide-spreading cause, and which probably was 
the siuking of the land throughout the whole of these northern areas. In 
Kent’s cavern, at Torquay, there is a fact of some importance bearing upon 
this ; namely, a broken-up mass of gravel with remains of animals inter- 
mediate between the earliest deposit containing bears, with excessively rude 
flint implements, and later deposits with less rude weapons, though still of 
the Palaeolithic age, not without bone implements, including an exquisite 
needle, and delicately constructed weapons,* while the associated flint imple- 
ments are made from “ flakes,” and are not merely the flintstone itself which 
was used, as in the earlier and lowest deposit of the cave. Now this breaking 
up of older materials between the different deposits seems to point to some 
violent physical action, which may have, as it were, separated the times ; but 
still we must not forget the whole of the period is palaeolithic as represented 
in Kent’s cavern. With regard to Mr. Belt’s theory, I do not think Professor 
Challis does justice to the glacial epoch, and what was then accomplished in 
nature ; whereas many modern geologists lay great stress upon the forces 
which were in activity at that important period. There is abundant evidence 
of ice having extended southwards to the 50th parallel of latitude in America, 
and to about the 40th in Europe ; but Mr. Belt says he discovered proof of 
glacial action in tropical America down to 2,000 feet above the level of the 
sea. It is imagined by some that that was the time when the earth’s orbit 
was at its greatest eccentricity, and that “glacial periods” alternated at 
each pole ; but Mr. Belt combats that view, and thinks that they existed 
contemporaneously ; so that there was, as now, though to a less degree, an 
enormous accumulation of ice at both poles simultaneously ; and the cause 
he suggests, and which appears to be the one most generally favoured by 
geologists, viz., a greater inclination of the earth’s axis to the ecliptic. 
If now, as is probable, the earth’s crust be somewhat elastic, the stupendous 
pressure at the poles would cause the equatorial region to rise, so that there 
* See Mr. Whitley’s letter at the commencement of discussion on Mr. 
Pattison’s paper, controverting some of these statements in regard to the 
implements. — Ed. 
