72 M. Charpcnticr on the Erratic I'hcnotntna of the North. 



placements ; because, as in the case of modern qlaciors, that 

 of Scandinavia must have upturned the soil, and pierced to 

 the solid rock, in the localities where the inequalities of the 

 formation interfered with its movement. But where it could 

 extend freely, and where there was no obstacle to the expansion 

 of the ice, it must have stretched over the diluvium without 

 raising it, if, at least in the upper beds, the latter was of such 

 a nature as to afford the water the means of flowing off quickly 

 {Essai, § 16). 



Although the deposition of diluvium may have been going 

 on during the whole period of the existence of the glaciei', it 

 Avill nevertheless be easily understood, that the largest quantity 

 of boulders, sand, and clay, was transported during the melting 

 of the ice ; so that, in many localities, the erratic formation 

 must have been covered by it, especially if it only presented 

 scattered deposits (Essai, § 47). 



The transport of fragments of rock, by means of floating 

 ice, must have taken place during the whole period of the ex- 

 istence of the glacier ; but it is when the glacier was most in 

 contact with the sea, that this transport must have been most 

 frequent. I have already said, that I attribute to this mode 

 of transport, the angular and well-preserved debris, and the 

 blocks of large size, which are both found beyond the limit of 

 the erratic formation, lying sometimes scattered on the sui*- 

 face of the ground, sometimes disseminated in the interior of 

 the diluvium. The first must have been carried thither when 

 the current and the rivers had ceased to convey matters to 

 the locality where these fragments are found ; the others, 

 when the transport of boulders, sand, and clay, caused by cur- 

 rents, was still taking place. 



You are now. Sir, in possession of my opinion regarding the 

 mode of origin of the Erratic Phenomenon of the North, which, 

 howevei', I have not had an opportunity of examining per- 

 sonally, but only know from the descriptions that have been 

 given, and more especially those of Messrs Durocher, Boht- 

 lingk,* and Sefstrdm. However succinct, and therefore im- 

 perfect, may be the summary which I have now offered, of 



* Jameson's Journal, vol. xxxii. p. 103. 



