New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-07
HOW TRAVELLERS MAY AID sCIENCE

To the EDITOR Of The Tribune.
SIR: The cause of the glacial epoch Is the
problem OF geology. Dr. CroI. In his q" Climate and
Time" attributes it to certain astronomical causes.
which ceased operate 10000 years ago. According TO
him. this epoch began 900 years before the Christian
Era aud lasted 100000. From this may get test OF
| his theory.
Atpresent the rains rem from the general surface
of the country at least foot in 5000 years But In
favorable localities, such hsdes covered with frfa-
bic matter tho rate of demolition must be several times
greater. During the glacial period 100000 years. the
rate lsee Cros book must have been something enor
nous" One foot in 900 years would apparently be
moderate amount An estimate within very reasonable
limits wo, Ia give demolition Of alluyial or frable ma
terals somewhat sharp slope Of az least thirty or
forty feet the glacial period and FIVE OF six times
as much during Il; total OF 200 feet and upward
during the 100000 years II upon examination It be
found that any localities iavoraby situated no such
erosion nor any approximation TO It, has taken place,
! then DR.. CrolTs theory must be given up.
Travellers this aid in this matter by care
fu observations, they may have opportunity OF To-
caes too high for materials 10 be washed on from more
elevated ground and sufficiently steep TO allow rains
and frosts TO have full effect in removing the SOIL To
do this they will notice: o. The geological age OF the
bedrock. The observer who not geoogst will give
the location aud this win often suffice. (2) The slope
OF the surface whether steep gentle. CD The char
aoter and depth Of the soil and other material posi-
I
bedrock whether limestone she'll granite or hat and
whether Il seems easily weatheT-wOrn. (5) IL will be
very desirable 20 procure specimens OF the bedrock
and Of the surface materials for anaysthe latter at
different depths say the bedrock on the sur
face and halfway between. All these should be carefully
labelled very little ian ounce sol will suffice
give one illustration. The Alps are known 70 be
older than the glacial epoch, and although they sunk
somewhat afterwards, yet SUBMITS were submerged
| the movement not exceeding 900 feet Many OF the
uplonds are covered with magnificent meadows which
offer exceedingly favorable opportunities for the study
Of this subject To one could call special attention
Not far from the head of Lake Geneva foOtpah leads
| from Yeytaux-a little beyond Montreaux-northWard
n the ROCKERS de Noye rising 1000 feet above the sea-
ON fhe summit which OvertOps all within several miles,
aud which separated from It's neghbOrs by broad ana
deem valleys Is beautiful low of four or ye acres,
covered with luXuriant grOwth of grass ThS meadow
stones rapidly the northeast, one haf OF Delng so
steep as 10 require little enOrt TO ascend " ana
even tile help OF ones hands was there IN 1871, and
NV attention had not then been drawn 10 thls SUBJECT
hut az / recOect H. the soil was apparently as deep,
certainly as rich the sleeper slope as elsewhere, ana
so FAR as can remember, loose stones nor any sur
fece rocks were to De Nor did the clin on whose
| brow the meadow ended appear 70 DC one eashy
| weatber-wOrn The angles weroyet sharp.
N will be seen that circumstances could hardly De
more favorable rapid denudatiOnthe action OF frost,
the barpness OF the SLOPE the abundant rains and the
ready discharge OF the water leave morning 70 De ue-
sired IN timt Respect The soil now covering the SURFACE
must either be the remains OF What ~ nero DeioIe tut
mountain was uplfted or IL has been FORMED since Dy
the disiutegration OF the bedrock. Examination Wll
show which il Is The slope Is such that u "a dieut TO
ace how tine materials thus lOOsened could De retained
from one Winter another and much more, until II
| accumulated TO ITS present depth.
| ANY information which may DO communicated TO the
undersigued Will be thankfully received ~ and duly
| aeknowledged G. b. WARNING.
GToton Landing, June %, 1878.