11 MARCH 1893, Page 25

Man and the Glacial Period. By G. F. Wright. With

8 Maps and 111. Illustrations. "The International Scientific Series." (Kagan Paul and Co.)—Professor Wright has followed up a The Tee Age in North America," &c., by a condensed and rewritten account of the Glacial Period, incorporating many European data, though Professor Wright has, of course, studied his own continent more thoroughly, and for that has his own experience in a larger proportion to draw upon. "Existing Glaciers" forms a sound basis to start his discussion upon, and then, after a short chapter on "Glacial Motion," he proceeds to detail the signs of Past glaciation, and the disposition of ancient glaciers in America and Europe with the drainage systems— such as have been traced—and the relics of man, and finally, the cells% date, and duration of the Glacial Period. Though the volume is well-Proportioned as a whole, one might reasonably have expected a more thorough discussion about Man himself, The 'earlier chapters describing glacial action, and the traces of it in North America--especially the defining of its limits, such as the terminal moraine of the great movement itself—are of great interest and value. The maps and diagrams are of much assistance in enabling the reader to grasp the vast extent of the movement. ij°u'ecillentlY, to hear so little about Man himself is disappointing. Professor Wright, he "Causes of the Glacial Period," does not favour the theory of the "Precession of the Equinoxes" in toto, though partially allowing it in conjunction with other causes, but favours the idea of great elevation of land. The date of the Glacial Period is becoming more and more recent.