Papers and Proceedings (Volume 123) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893. Excerpt: ... most southerly limits of the low-lying Australian Continent. Tn Western Europe, during the great ice age, there is no evidence of the great ice sheet extending further south than 51 north latitude. When we consider that the most southerly point of Australia corresponds with Lisbon in north latitude, or 12 to the south of Ireland, we may more readily comprehend the improbability of an extension of the southern polar cap to any part of the Australian Continent under similar conditions to those of the European ice age. Evidences of comparatively recent Glaciation on the Australian Mainland, as Recorded by Various Observers.--Subsequent to the earlier observations of Selwyn, Daintree, and others in respect of ancient glacial phenomena in rocks of PennoCarbouiferous age, it would appear that Professor Tate, in the year 1877, was the next observer who drew particular attention to the existence of glacial phenomena on the mainland of Australia of a comparatively recent date. In a paper of a later date, read before the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science (Proc. 1887, pp. 231, 232), entitled "Glacial Phenomena in South Australia," he again describes the nature of the evidence upon which he bases his conclusion as to their glacial origin. He describes the glaciated surface as well developed on the coast cliffs at Hallet's Cove, soul Ii of Holdfast Bay, in St. Vincent Gulf. That is, therefore, ip 35 south lat.; and, as the surface plane of the track inferred to have been polished by the ice is now only 40 feet above the level of the adjacent sea, it is more than probable that the track was marked prior to the final stage of the known upheaval of the floor of the old tertiary sea, whose remains in the vicinity, and as cliffs along the Great Austra...