720 ANNUAL EEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1908. 



Hence Linne came to the conclusion that the sea, at least partially, 

 had " changed its inhabitants." The belief in a southward migration 

 was quite natural at a time when the mollusk fauna of the northern 

 seas was unknown. 



The account of Linne's travels in Skane, with a single important 

 exception, contains almost no contributions to the knowledge of a 

 former high water level during the Quaternary period — a natural 

 consequence of the fact that a large part of the territory in question 

 was situated above the post-glacial marine border, which, in southern 

 Skane, extends only 3 or 4 meters above the sea. The exception re- 

 ferred to is Linne's description of the old beach, or " Jara Wall," as 

 it has been known in geological literature since the days of Sven 

 Nilsson. Linne had recognized an old beach in the sandbank or 

 raised beach on the eastern coast of Oland, and he therefore calls the 

 " Jara Wall " by the same name. 



The " Landtborg," or a shore which was somewhat higher thau the surface of 

 the land, extended for 3 miles along the coast from Trelleborg to Fredshciga. 

 It was broader on the seaward side, and its highest point was about 60 to 100 

 paces from the sea ; it was 2 yards higher than the land proper, and at this 

 place I'ose some 6 yards above the sea level. 



^ * * ^ H^ ^ Hs 



Besides the above, Linne's measurement of the distance between 

 Stafsten and the seacoast shows his unflagging interest in everything 

 connected with the question of the decrease of water and the growth 

 of land: * * * 



The " Stafsten Rock " was situated 11 miles west from Trelleborg and toward 

 the coast. This place is renowned because of the fact that the late King 

 Charles XII landed here on December 13, 1715, afer his absence in Turkey. 

 Stafsten rock was somewhat higher than an ordinary man, narrow and almost 

 square. Here we noted the water level in order that posterity may ascertain 

 whether the water rises or falls. On the nearest seashore to the south of 

 Stafsten rock there are two cliffs to the east and west, of almost equal size, 

 which now were nearly 6 inches above water. Beside this there was, on the 

 very shore, and somewhat easterly from a direct line between Stafsten rock 

 and the coast, a block of whitish granite about 9 feet long and almost 6 feet 

 broad. This rock or slab has two corners pointing southwest, of which the 

 more westerly one at this time accurately located the line separating the sea- 

 water level from the dry land. The distance from Stafsten to the water's edge 

 was 357 1 yards. 



It was fortunate that Linne left so detailed a description since it 

 has thus been possible to ascertain the fact that the statement of the 

 distance contains a typographical error, the true distance being 157f , 

 instead of- 357f yards. * * * 



******* 



A review of Linne's contributions to the question of the decrease 

 of water or the expansion of land shows them to be very compre- 



