OUTLETS OF THE ST. JOHN RIVEK. 59' 



and tlie nai-rowiiess of the pass would liavo prevented' 

 this passage from being as important an ontlet as the 

 other. From tliis acuse, however, if from no other, the 

 passage at the falls would gain the preponderance and 

 iinally become the sole discharge of tlie river. 



ISTot only was the sea-water thus excluded from the 

 river by this rising of the land, but the harbor itself was 

 probably drained so that an outer fall appears to have 

 been formed to the eastward of Partridge island.^ At 

 this time the Drury's cove passage was closed, and peat 

 and marsh mud began to till in the valley of the Marsh.. 

 The land then began to sink again, but very slowly, 

 until it reached its present level, and the tidal falls were 

 re-estaldished as we now see them. 



Marine alluvium is, as we know, one of the latest of 

 the geological deposits, and is in process of accumulation 

 at the present day. The growth of this deposit in the 

 Marsh valley has been stopped b}^ dyking the outlet of 

 the valley, but the deposit where it has been tested shows 

 a very considerable depth at several points, and occupies 

 the place of an old water channel that has been silted up 

 in comparatively modern times. It no doubt had its 

 origin in the period of continental elevation, or at least 

 was enlarged at that time and very likely was in connec- 

 tion with some old water-way, possibly subterranean, that 

 crossed the limestone ridge wliich separates this valley 

 from the Kennebecasis. Indications of old subterranean 

 channels in this ridge are found at several points. I 

 may instance two. 



* The former existence of this fall is shown by a rocky depression which exists 

 south-east of Partridge Island and is indicated by the soundings there; outside of 

 this ttie old submerged channel of the river has been filled up by the silt which is- 

 •wept up and down the Bay of Fundy by the heavy tides. 



