196 The American Geologist. September, \mi 
But perhaps the strongest argument in favor of these slow climatic 
changes extending orer periods of many centuries, is found in the 
history of the Aralo-Caspian basin. 
During the historic period, the surface of th^ Caspian has stood 
at times, 60 feet above its present level, as well a? 18 feet below. (See 
"The Earth and its Inhabitants-^Asia," Vol. I, p. 10.) 
The Oxus has certainly alternated its discharge between the Aral 
and the Caspian three times in the last two thousand years, and there 
is no possible explanation of these circumstances, except by invoking 
great changes in the climate of the Caspian basin, at the same time 
requiring the existence of these different conditions during periods 
of several centuries. 
These items sliould demonstrate that the climatic changes neces- 
sary to the variation in flow of our ocean currents, have real exist- 
ence, and the fact that these changes have been so slow as to almost 
escape recognition inapairs the evidence not in the slightest, when the 
problem has once been entered upon. 
I will admit that Von Buch's explanation of these upheavals and 
subsidences now forms one of the very foundation stones of modern 
geology, and that to attack a principle that has been a matter of be- 
lief fijr nearly a century, may seem absurd and ridiculous, but never- 
theless, these old beliefs are entitled to only such measure of respect 
<i.nd consideration as may be warranted by the facts on which these 
beliefs are based. No strength has been added to Von Buch's doctrine 
by reason of its long continued acceptance. Other theories — theories 
that have been accepted for a thousand years — we have been forced to 
discard before now, and I believe we must discard in its turn this 
theory of Von Buch, a theory founded on bare inference, vxnsupported 
by a single fact, and replace it with a theory founded on observation, 
and on known physical principles. 
Duluth, Mimi., January 20; iSgy. H. W. Pearson. 
PERSONAL AND SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
The Wyoming Exploring Party. The expedition to 
the fossil fields of Wyoming left Omaha on July i8th. It 
numbered three hundred scientific gentlemen, representing 
nearly every university and college in the United States. 
The Union Pacific Railroad company pays all the expenses 
of the trip, and it is hoped that the expedition will result in 
developing the possibilities of this great region which is so 
rich in fossils of the Dinosaur period. After reaching Lar- 
amie the part}' will go directly into the fossil fields. They 
will be organized into messes of ten men, each group being 
provided with two wagons for riding and another wagon for 
