I. Introduction.
It has long been evident that writers on glacial geology are not at one concerning some of the important questions which underlie the interpretation of the history of the glacial period. Certain recent publications have served to emphasize the differences between them. There are two questions, at least, concerning which there must be agreement, or at any rate a common understanding, before existing differences can be eliminated or justly evaluated. When the answers to these questions have been agreed upon, or when the positions of the contending parties are clearly understood, it may be found that some of the apparent antagonisms have no better basis than differences in definition. Stated interrogatively, the two questions referred to are these: 1. What constitutes a glacial epoch as distinct from other glacial epochs? and 2. What are the criteria for the recognition of distinct glacial epochs, if such there were?