270 SABLE ISLAND—MACDONALD. 
Assuming this to be the force that created the great Bank, 
there must have been a time when this Bank had not reached its 
present dimensions, and indeed was only in the first stages of 
formation, consequently the unimpeded Gulf Stream would press 
the shore more closely, crowding the western bound currents and 
thus by narrowing its channel increase its velocity. Add 
to this the fact that the polar current, not being divided as now 
by the great Bank, would have a more deeided flow, and would 
carry its ice raft further westward. Thus the dumping of 
material would take place at the western extremity as well as 
along the whole line of interlacing currents. 
This opinion is strengthened by the fact of the walrus having 
once resorted to this Island in great numbers, their tusks being 
frequently found imbedded in the sand. 
That icebergs once followed the line of the polar currents past 
our shores there can be no doubt, even in this period. 
By referring to Blunt’s coast pilot, where pointing out the ice 
dangers of the coast, we find the following: 
“In July, 1836, H. M. brig packet Express fell in with two 
islands of ice on Sable Island bank, lat. 43.03, Jong. 25.17, in 45 
fathoms of water, estimated height 150 and 180 feet.” 
IT would next call your attention to the wonderful similarity 
of those Banks and their limited amount of submergence, which 
suggests that many of them, if not all, have been elevated above 
the surface at no distant period in the past. We will consider 
the most interesting ones. 
By glancing at this chart of relative submergence of off shore 
Banks, at the eastern extremity, we have the great Bank of New- 
foundland, at the summit of which is a very dangerous shoal 
known as the Jessie Ryder, having only 3} fathoms or 193 feet. 
At Quero bank, in lat. 44, long. 57, is a long narrow sub- 
merged ridge 40 miles in length, which in form and direction is 
an exact counterpart of Sable Island. 
Next is the Sable Island Bank, 200 miles by 90, with a thin 
line of elevation, already alluded to, of 80 feet above the sur- 
face. 
The next is one of great interest, viz., George’s shoals, situated 
at George's bank, off the New England coast. 
