Page:The Journal of geology (IA journalofgeology21894univers).pdf/248
water during a typical stage of the Pleistocene period. Greenland, the Laurentian tract, the Adirondack, the northern Appalachian, and the northern Cordilleran regions are represented as glacial land. A broad tract sweeping around the Laurentian belt covering the Great Lake region and a large portion of the great plains of Canada is represented as submerged beneath the ice-laden sea. So also is a large area embracing Hudson's Bay and the adjacent straits. The Central American region is represented as extensively submerged and the equatorial waters of the Atlantic are represented as passing through to the Pacific.
Under the head of causes of glaciation, the author rejects with emphasis the prevalent glacial hypothesis, insisting strongly upon the impossibility of so great an ice sheet reaching to so low a latitude. He quotes extensively from Woeickoff in support of his position. The terminal moraines of most American writers he refers to deposition "at the margin of a sea laden with vast fields of floating ice," and thinks that some of the anomalies in their levels are due to differential elevation. He explains the striation (in regions not occupied by glaciers, under his view) by referring them largely to the action of "pan ice" aided by tides, especially on sinking coasts, and subordinately to iceberg action proper. His views on this point are well known. The very peculiar climatic conditions of the age are attributed to geographical changes, but the discussion is not carried into detail, and we have been unable to form a definite conception of the supposed method of causation.
The most valuable chapter, in our judgment, is that which relates to Pleistocene fossils. There is an admirable collection of data in detail, especially from the Lower St. Lawrence region—the richest of American fields in glacial paleontology. In regard to the relations of man to the glacial formations, Sir William Dawson apparently inclines to the interpretations of Professor Holmes.
At the close of the work complimentary reference is made to Howrth's book, "The Glacial Nightmare," and the similarity of views there expressed to those of the present work approvingly noted. Tactically we think this is an error, since conclusions associated with field experience such as those of Dr. Dawson will be likely to be placed by geologists in quite a different category from the dialectic lucubrations of a mere academic treatment. Support must be scant when "The Glacial Nightmare" is counted in.