144 Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



spits of gravel; and there are numerous other minor details of shore 



line features. 



The Ancient Beaches. 



Most of the features lust described are found also in the 2:ravel 

 ridges. They usually have all of the characteristics of beaches 

 (Figs. 56 and CS), and near the streams they are often transformed 

 to bars (Fig. ()5). The resemblance is so close that even the most 

 casual observers have noticed it and formed the theory that the ridges 



66. — Photograph showing pebbly nature of old beach terrace near Sheridan. 



were made by the lake waters. So far no fossils of lake shells have 

 been found in the gravels, though some have been reported by 

 residents of the region. It would be of great importance to iind 

 these* for they would determine beyond question wl, ether the 

 gravel ridges are lake or ocean beaches. There is little reason 

 for believing the latter, although this explanation lias been suggested 

 by some. 



* If any reader should know of the existence of fossil shells like those 

 now living in the lake, I should be very glad to be informed of the occur- 

 rence. 



