IIl.—Own Drirt Ice AS AN ERODING AND TRANSPORTING AGENT. 
—Byv W. H. Prest, Bedford, N. S. 
(Communicated thth January, 1991.) 
Introductory. 
In the following notes, although I may not be able to bring 
forward any new facts of importance, I can at least add my 
testimony to that of those who have studied in the same line. 
Having had an opportunity, while in Labrador, during the 
the past summer, of observing the action of drift ice as an erod- 
ing and transporting agent, I submit the following, prefaced by 
a few notes on the elevation now going on there. 
On the north-east coast of Labrador, where my observations 
were made, the action of purely drift ice is more marked than 
anywhere else in the sdme latitude; and during the melting and 
transportation of the northern ice there is abundant opportunity 
for gathering information relating to the subject. 
During the short Arctic summer the northern ocean pours 
forth a tremendous stream of ice. This stream, borne southward 
on the bosom of an Arctic current, sweeps from side to side, the 
sport of ever-changing winds, like the tail of a gigantic kite. 
Sometimes this stream or tail is swept out into the Atlantic, 
then against the rock-bound coast of Labrador, and often through 
the Straits of Belle Isle into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The 
field- or pan-ice inshore, and the bergs in deeper water, here 
exhibit their capabilities under many varying conditions. Their 
action in deep and shoal waters, or on steep shores and sub- 
merged ridges, and their power as erosive and transporting agents, 
can be seen to advantage. There are several reasons why this 
coast should be considered the best known station for the obser- 
vance of the effects of drift ice :— 
Ist. Its convenient nearness to civilization and the source 
of ice supply. 
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