1889-90.] THE FORMATION OF TORONTO ISLAND. 239 



THE FORMATION OF TORONTO ISLAND. 



By L. J. Clark, Esq. 



(Read 26th April, i8go.) 



My attention has been somewhat abnormally directed towards the 

 lake, and to lake surroundings, and lake currents during the last two or 

 three years, and, in the course of my investigations, I became aware that 

 there were different theories, particularly as regards lake currents and 

 Island formation. Without very much external aid on the subject, but 

 by a careful process of deductive reasoning, I formed a theory, which, 

 like all young theorists, I considered quite unassailable, and which I still 

 view in the same light, but, alas, my theory is not new. 



I have found, since making a more critical study of the subject, that 

 it received a very large share of attention nearly half a century ago, by 

 men who have made a name and fame for themselves, not only in Canada, 

 but in other lands as well, in connection with questions of world-wide 

 interest, in one instance at least, and who are still alive and in a position 

 to compare their past theory of what the future of the Island would be 

 with what it really is. I refer to such men as Mr. Sandford Fleming, 

 Mr. Kivas Tully, Mr. Henry Yule Hind, and Mr. Hugh Richardson.* 



I find there is quite a wealth of literature on the subject, which I have 

 read with great interest, and which in the main agrees as to the source 

 whence the material, forming the Island, is derived. I have also placed 

 under contribution that never failing source of information, " the oldest 

 inhabitant," and I now place before you the united results of my cogita- 

 tions on the subject. 



At the outset, I will call attention to two theories that have been put 

 forward, but which on examination, I think, will be found insufficient 

 for the purpose. The/;.f^is that the Niagara River has been a factor in 

 the Island formation in this way. It is said that the direction of the 

 river at its mouth is in a line with Scarboro' Heights, that the great 

 volume of water makes straight across the lake, strikes the north shore, 

 deflects to the west, and carries along the material from the Heights, of 

 which the Island is formed. I heard a gentleman say that this was the 



Mr. Richardson is dead. 



