II.—On the very Recent and Rapid Elevation of the Highlands of Eastern Asia

Extract

These opinions of Mr. Campbell, however clearly and precisely stated, are so strong and emphatic, that I wish to confirm them by those of another experienced geologist, who worked much among the Himalayas, namely, General McMahon. In “Notes of a Tour through Hangrang and Spiti,” published in the twelfth volume of the Eecords of the Geological Survey of India, he describes the existing glaciers and their remains in the district, and then says: “I do not know whether any one has ever supposed that the Himalayas were covered during the last Glacial period with an ice-cap, but I may note that whilst I saw nothing to favour such, an idea, I saw much to negative it. The contour of the hills and valleys in those parts of the interior of the Himalayas that I have visited is sharp and angular, and where rounded outlines are seen, they are sufficiently explained by the action of subaeiial forces on comparatively soft and friable rocks.