fpooLE] FEATURES OF CONTINENTAL SHELF OFF NOVA SCOTIA 71 



to satisfactorily explain the features of the now submerged lands which 

 in many respects bear strong resemblances to upland surfaces which 

 have been moulded by the action of the forces of the atmosphere, frost 

 and heat, wind and oxidation, rain and rivers. 



It is therefore assumed that such indeed were the agents that deter- 

 mined the submarine surface, only that after submergence and after th3 

 forces of the glacial period had been spent the features became some- 

 what modified by the nmntle of sediment which denudation would cast 

 into the sea and quiet waters would deposit. 



Among the now submerged features of the region that may readily 

 be irecognized on the accompanpng map are; a prolongation of Cape 

 (^anseau for 40 miles beyond its present terminus with deep water for half 

 the distance on both sides ; — Sambro with its ledges and islets protruding 

 further southward; Not only was Scatterie island a promontory but 

 it embraced Scattarie bank which lies 40 miles seaward of the present 

 island. Sambro bank which is south of Halifax has steep sides and deep 

 water about it. On the map it appears as an island "and is probably 

 of rock, a granitic mass, an under-sea extension of the rocks of Sambro 

 thrust up between the slates of Halifax and St. Margaret's Bay. Possi- 

 l)ly also some of the small islands that range in line aross. the Grully are 

 rocky peaks, while those in the estuary of the streams that combined in 

 Chedabucto Bay to flow eastward parallel to the Cape Breton coast are 

 oanks with no rocky nucleus. 



It may well be asked do these features really indicate more than ar. 

 accidental or fanciful resemblance to these which a sometime land sur- 

 face w^ould present under like circumstances ; and are there any good 

 reasons for assuming an elevation of serious moment has actually oc- 

 curred in times comparatively recent? If the areas showm to be still 

 depressed below the 80 fm. line are considered they will be noticed to 

 have as it were channels proceeding from them|to deeper water such as a 

 land locked sea or great lake would require to carry ofit' the surplus 

 waters. Then, too, the seeming steep sides to the channels and the steep 

 banks to the large island in the lake immediatedy south of Halifax can 

 be explained oniy by assuming themj due to erosion by subserial agents, 

 and for such agents to do their work it is (essential that the area be well 

 elevated above drainage level, not merely the 500 feet assumed for the 

 drafting of this map, but to a much greater extent. 



Another prominent feature which has long been recognized and ac- 

 cepted as proof of a previous elevation of tliis region is the broad and 

 profound depression occupying the bed of the estuary of the iSt. Law- 

 rence river, which sweeping south of Anticosti and north of Bird Islands 



