February, 191 1. The Irish Nahiralht. 17 



THE LATEST FLUCTUATIONS OF THE SEA-LEVEL 

 ON OUR OWN COASTS. 



BY THE LATE S. A. STEWART, A.L.S., F.B.S.E. 



[The following paper was read before the Belfast Naturalists' Field 

 Club forty years ago, on 8th March, 1871 ; and a brief abstract covering 

 two pages was published in the Eighth Annual Report of that Club 

 (pp. SS-57). This was the first of the several valuable papers on the 

 recent geology of the North of Ireland which emanated from Mr. Stewart's 

 pen. In the present paper, the important series of post-Glacial land- 

 movements which characterize the North-east of Ireland are for the first 

 time demonstrated. Other workers had previously examined the Belfast 

 clays, the late Canon Grainger having been particularly active in exploring 

 the rich fauna which they yield ; but it was reserved for Mr. Stewart 

 to point out the important lessons which that fauna teaches ; his 

 conclusions have been amply verified, and all subsequent work has been 

 built upon the foundation which he laid. This paper, written near the 

 beginning of Mr. Stewart's scientific career, is characteristic of the man — 

 full of careful observation, sound reasoning, and accurate deduction, and 

 expressed in the vigorous Enghsh that we associate with all his writings. 

 Five and twenty years ago, when I was working at the deposits which 

 Mr. Stewart had done so much to elucidate, he gave me the manuscript 

 which is now, for the first time, set in type. We are sure that it will be 

 read with appreciation by the many friends whom he has left behind 

 him, and the editors of the Irish Naturalist offer it to their readers as a 

 tribute to his memory. — R. LI. P.]. 



The level at which we observe the sea to stand on our 

 shores seems perfectly established, and, on a superficial 

 view, apparently destined to endure for ever, or as long as 

 any sublunary arrangements may last. The mind not 

 accustomed to contemplate the mutations which have 

 marked the geological history of our planet, sees in the 

 present sea-level a natural and necessary adjustment, that 

 has had an undisturbed existence from the dawn of creation 

 till now ; nevertheless it is, I think, unnecessary that I 

 should in this room attempt to prove that this has not been 

 the case. 



As far as can be ascertained, the sea-level has never 

 remained constant for any very great period of time — 

 reckoning geologically ; but exaltations and depressions of 

 the surface have gone on since the commencement of the 

 geological record, and have continued down to the conclusion 



A 



