Discussion on geological climates

Dr. G. C. Simpson, F. R. S.: It appears to me appropriate that a meteorologist should open this discussion, for the study of climates is a branch of meteorology. But while I speak as a meteorologist, I cannot speak for meteorologists, because on this subject there is no formulated meteorological opinion. What I say, therefore, must be taken as my personal opinion, with which other meteorologists may or may not agree. During the last few years I have given much thought to this problem of past climates and I have come to certain definite conclusions. I wish to lay these conclusions before you this afternoon, but in the short time available I can do little more than state them; I cannot hope to defend them by a reasoned exposition, but in most cases that has already been given elsewhere.