Horváth Géza (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 18. (Budapest 1921)
Éhik, Gy.: The glacial-theories in the light of biological investigation
106 Dr. J. í'. HIK my litterary predecessors were predominantly based on the appreciation of recent faunistical conditions. The exclusive consideration of geological features, due to the influence of the ice, can not offer a suitable general aspect of the glacial period, even the synchronical oscillations of the glaciers having been limited to a relatively restricted zone, so that the faunistical changes eventually caused by them will prove to be of a trifling importance. Briefly speaking: the so called „ interglacial periods" ivere unable to produce faunistical changes. Even if the quoted oscillations are synchronical according to some authors, who would be able to determine their succession without the aid of faunistical data? And if, despite of all this, one is inclined to speak of „interglacial periods", one would be just as much entitled to suppose twenty interglacials" as to presume four, not reckoning with the fact that in the case of such an interpretation „ interglacial periods" would exist even today. I merely ask. how the number of these „interglacial periods" could be determined? I am afraid the determination would result in relying on rather individual opinions, in accordance with the special supposition of the various authors. Tthe Pleistocene may be divided into three periods, composing the preglacial , the glacial and the postglacial strata. The preglacial period begins with the northern Forestbedfauna. terminating with the largest extension of the ice, i. e. by the stratification of the southernmost Lemmingbeds. The lower Lemming-beds are the product of the glacial period. The postglacial period contains the upper Lemming-beds, with exclusive steppe elements, terminating after the sylvicol faunae having assured their predominance in the northern zones as well. I. The fauna of the lower diluvial strata. (Containing the „PrimitivMousterien" and the „La Quina-Industry"). The faunae of Sirgenstein and Wildscheuer. Sirgcnstein. Elephas primigenius Bison priscus Rangifer tarandus Ibex sp. Equus caballus Felis lynx (?) Ursus spelaeus Canis lupus Canis sp. (V) Canis lagopus Lepus variabilis Myodes torquatus Lagopus albus Lagopus alpinus
