PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB III 



altogether, in my opinion, the grandest scenery of the 

 whole Norwegian Coast. 



Eastwards, from the North Cape, the character of the 

 rocks changes, gradually growing less rugged and stern 

 until at Vadso, on the North shore of the Varanger 

 Fjord, the shore line consists of low^ level chfts composed 

 of black muddy shales. Here, too, the general appearance 

 of the country is very different. Instead of lofty rugged 

 mountains we have comparatively low ridge-like hills, with 

 smooth outlines, rising one behind the other. 



On the South shore of the Varanger Fjord the moun- 

 tains, which consist of Gneiss, are considerably more 

 rugged in outline than the stratified rocks of the Northern 

 shore, but not so lofty as those further south. So far as 

 could be judged from a distant view, these rocks were 

 highly metamorphosed. 



In one or two places rocks of Silurian Age have been 

 detected along the West Coast, but the area occupied by 

 them is comparatively insignificant. 



Such is a very brief outline of the physical geology of 

 the country as seen from the deck of a steamer. 



It is stated in all text Books on Geology that the 

 southern portion of Scandinavia is sinking, whilst the 

 northern portion is being elevated, and, naturally, I was 

 on the look out for evidence in confirmation of that 

 assertion. Such evidence I found in plenty. From the 

 Romsdal northwards, almost without exception, every 

 Fjord and sheltered cove is occupied by raised beaches or 

 terraces, occasionally of very considerable extent. All 

 the towns and villages are built upon them, and, indeed, 

 were it not for such terraces it would be almost impossible 

 for the inhabitants to exist, as they constitute almost the 

 only land capable of cultivation. All along the shores for 

 scores of miles, from the Lofoten Islands until the open 

 sea is again reached north of Tromso, terraces are most 



