Professor Albrecht Penck, of the University of Vienna, delivered the first of his three lectures on the "Alps in the Great Ice Age" yesterday afternoon in the Geological Lecture Room of the University Museum. In this lecture, which dealt with "The Climatic Variations of the Ice Age," Professor Penck thoroughly discussed the means of discovering both the probable climate during the great glacial periods, and the length of time since these topographical phenomena were in existence.

We know, of course, the height at which snow exists in the present glacial systems. By studying "moraines"--physical relics left by glaciers below the snow line--it is possible to determine the height at which snow melted during the great ice ages. Thus we have a ready comparison between the climate today and that of these ancient times. In those days, we find that, except during the inter-glacial periods, the world was somewhat colder than at present. The earliest glacial movements, which we discover also by noticing the depths at which moraine is deposited, were less frequent than those of later times.

Professor Penck will give the second lecture on "The Glacial Sculpture of the Alps" this afternoon at 4.30 o'clock, in the Geological Lecture Room of the University Museum. The lecture will be open to members of the University.