certain contingencies,
is extremely severe, and lasts for a great length of time. is extremely severe, and lasts for a great length of time. 1869 |
of which the most important, as Sir C. Lyell has shown, is the relative position of the land and water. 1872 |
Mr. Croll believes that the last great Glacial period occurred about 240,000 years ago, and endured with slight alterations of climate for about 160,000 years. With respect to more ancient Glacial periods, several geologists are convinced from direct evidence that such occurred during the Miocene and Eocene formations, not to mention still more ancient formations. But
in relation to our present subject, in relation to our present subject, 1869 |
OMIT 1872 |
the most important result
arrived arrived 1869 |
for us, arrived 1872 |
at by Mr.
Croll
is,
that whenever the northern hemisphere passes through a cold period, the temperature of the southern hemisphere is actually raised, with the winters rendered much milder, chiefly through changes in the direction of the ocean-currents. So conversely it
is
with the northern hemisphere,
when
the southern passes through a glacial period.
These
conclusions conclusions 1869 | conclusion 1872 |
have, as we shall immediately see, a most important bearing have, as we shall immediately see, a most important bearing 1869 |
throws so much light 1872 |
on geographical
distribution; distribution; 1869 | distribution 1872 |
but
I
will will 1869 |
am strongly inclined to trust in it; but I will 1872 |
first give the facts, which demand an explanation. ↑8 blocks not present in 1869 1872; present in 1859 1860 1861 1866 | We do not know that the Glacial epoch was strictly simultaneous at these several far distant
points on opposite
sides of the world.
But we have good evidence in almost every case, that the epoch was included within
the latest geological period.
We have, also, excellent evidence, that it endured for an enormous time, as measured by years, at each point.
The cold may have come on, or have ceased, earlier at one point of the globe than at another, but
seeing that it endured for long
at each, and that it was contemporaneous in a geological sense, it seems to me
probable that it was, during a part at least of the period, actually simultaneous throughout the world.
Without some distinct evidence to the contrary, we may at least admit as probable that the glacial action was simultaneous on the eastern and western sides of North America, in the Cordillera under the equator and
under the
warmer temperate zones, and on both sides of the southern extremity
of the continent.
If this be admitted, it is difficult to avoid believing that the temperature of the whole world was at this period simultaneously cooler.
But it would suffice for my purpose, if the temperature was
at the same time lower along certain broad belts of longitude.
On this view of the whole world, or at least of broad longitudinal belts, having been simultaneously colder from pole to pole, much light can be thrown on the present distribution of identical and allied species.
|
|
In
South America, South America, 1869 1872 | America, 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
Dr. Hooker has shown that
besides many closely allied species, between besides many closely allied species, between 1869 1872 |
between 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
forty and fifty of the flowering plants of Tierra del Fuego, forming no inconsiderable part of its scanty flora, are common to
North America and Europe, North America and Europe, 1869 1872 |
Europe, 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
enormously remote as these
areas in opposite hemispheres are from each other. areas in opposite hemispheres are from each other. 1869 1872 |
two points are; and there are many closely allied species. 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
On the lofty mountains of equatorial America a host of peculiar species belonging to European genera occur. On the
Organ Organ 1866 1869 1872 | highest 1859 1860 1861 |
mountains of Brazil, some few
temperate European, some Antarctic, and some Andean temperate European, some Antarctic, and some Andean 1869 1872 |
European 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
genera genera 1859 1860 1861 1869 1872 |
temperate, some antarctic, and some Andean genera 1866 |
were found by Gardner, which do not exist in the
low low 1866 1869 1872 | wide 1859 1860 1861 |
intervening hot
countries. countries. 1859 1860 1861 1869 1872 |
countries; and I have been informed that Agassiz has lately discovered plain marks of glacial action on these same mountains. 1866 |
On On 1866 1869 1872 | So on 1859 1860 1861 |
the Silla of
Caraccas Caraccas 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869 | Caraccas, 1872 |
the illustrious Humboldt long ago found species
belonging belonging 1860 1861 1866 1869 1872 | belong- ing 1859 |
to genera characteristic of the
Cordillera.
Cordillera.
1869 1872 | Cordillera. 1859 1860 1861 |
Cordillera.
1866 |
In Africa, several forms characteristic of Europe and
|