New-York tribune., 1891-08-28
THE BIOLOGISTS SESSION.
PROFESSOR CHAMBERLIN on THE PLEISTO-
GENE GLACIERS.
PROFESSOR M'GEE's CLASSIFICATION - RECEP-
TIoNs AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
EXCURSION
ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE TEIBUNE.I

Washington Aug. 27.-The distinguished appearance
of the geologss attending the International Con-
grcss the theme OF general comment at the recep
ton last evening and the opinion freely expressed
that no handsOmer men had ever gathered at washing
ton Their generally robust and hearty look Indicates
tic high average OF good health gained by field work.
Most of the foreigners speak English, while the
Americans are not generally versed in foreign Ian
guagcs Hence at the meetings remarks In French
German are afterwari translated into English The
sessions do not crowd the day do those Of tho Amer
can Association for the Advancement OF science, but
leisure is given social intercourse and for the eX
animation of the many fine geological maps which are
displayed in the various and halls of the C0lum-
bian University well the elaborate collection Of
photographs contributed BY the United states Coast
Survey A fine collection Of fossils and minerals from
Mexico is another attractive exhibit.
The entire working time to-day given up TO
discussion OF pestoccne glacial formations. Professor
r. c. Chamberlain OF Madison, Wis, opened the dis
cussion by presenting elaborate scheme Of divisions
and subdivisions Of a genetic classification. lie re
marked that classification may be made on three
grounds first structural, which Is easy, being simply
division into assorted and notassorted drift second.
chronological which is most difficult and cannot be
made AT all TIL after an established classification on
the third ground, that Of genesis
The genetlc scheme which he proposed divided the
formations into six classes, Of which the second and
third the great 1OTIndllOH Ill lllS touIug iHcoO
classes are 1, formations produced by direct action
OF plestocene gaccrs; ., formations produced by
the combined action OF pelstocene glaciers and the nc
companying gacial drainage; O. formations produced
by acal waters after their Issuance from pest0cene
glaciers a. formations produced by floating ice de-
rived from pleistocene glaciers: ), formations pro-
duced by shore ice and Ice Oes due to low peisocene
temperature but Independent of glacier action 6'
formations produced by winds acting peistocene
Nuv under the Decullar
conditions Of glaciatlon. Some doubt was expressed
about the last class, which includes dunes and
aeolan foes.
Under tho first general class Mr.. Chamberiln would
include formations produced by the direct action OK
plestOceno glaciers. Under the second general class
Mr. Chamberlain would have three subclas'lfcations:
deposits of sub glacial streams. deposit of super
glacial streams and marginal deposits. In regard to
tho third general class, he proposed three sub
divisions: l. by glacial rivers >. by fringng lakes;
g. by bordering oceans. The fourth general class
is unimpoItant in the United states, and Is divided
into local QacustIine) and foreign marine). Under
the fifth general head three ubdvlsOns-shore ridges,
lateral deposits and oshOre deposts-were proposed
The discussion was engaged in by Gaudry OF
France; Cirebner, WahnschOfe and Dlener, OF Ger
many; Dc Gecr and another member from Sweden
Pavlow of Russia; Christie aud Cadell, Of Scotland
Shaler Gilbert and Cope Of tho United states
In tho afternoon Professor McGee proposed scheme
for alssfcation Of plelsocenc formations generally
which gave five formative agents. aqueous =
Volcanic. Professor Chamberlln, in closing the dis
cIsslon remarked that his idea OF the duration Of the
glacial epoch had increased many fold, perhaps nun
dredfOd. compared with what he once believed
Receptions given in the evening by Mr ana
Mrs. 5. F. EmmOns and Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas wilson;
There are sixty three foreign members registered and
exactly the same number OF foreign members have sig
Rocky Mountains september 20. There will be about
half that number of resident members in the party