6 THE RAISED SHoltK LINES (tK NEW HKINSWKK. 



An observer starting from the i)rcsent sea level and proceed- 

 ing up an ascending surface (say at !St. John, Hillshorougb, 

 Moncton, Newcastle. Bathurst, or Dalhousie Junction), will iind 

 horizontal benches and terraces, more or less resembling the ex- 

 isting beaches. An examination and study of these will con- 

 vince him that they too must have been formed at the margin of 

 the sea, though long ago ileserted by it. Continuing upward he 

 will reach a limit l)e\'ond which the general aspect and 

 contour of the slope changes, the materials constituting the de 

 posits being likewise diherent. and he will, therefore, find he 

 has reached the highest maik of a former encroachment of the 

 sea upon the land. This is known as the uppermost shore line 

 of the Post-Tertiary subsidence- For a number of years the 

 writer has been tracing this shore line and has located it with a 

 good deal of accuracy in New lirunswick from the iSt. Croix to 

 the Restigouche river. In examining and levelling it some very 

 interesting features werebri)ught ti> light. Having been formed 

 at sea level, as just stated, we would naturally ex[)ect that it 

 would be horizontal, and througfiout its whole length 

 would be at an equal height above the present shore 

 line, or ocean's surface; and, indeed, from a cas- 

 ual glance such appears to be the case. But 

 when we apply the spirit level or a good aneroid to the measure- 

 ment of its altitude in dift'erent places, it is found to vary from 

 a horizontal position in the most unaccountable manner, exhibit- 

 ing local irregularities and a more or less wavy outline in profile. 

 The following table of the altitudes will afford an idea of its 

 present altitude with reference to mean sea level. Cmnmeneing 

 at the St. Croix river, or the international boundary between 

 New Brunsw'ick and the United btates, and proceeding eastward 

 and northward the heights, at a number of the levelled points, 

 are as follows : — 



1. St. Croix river, 280 feet. 



2. Digdeguash river and west of it, 281 " 

 8. West of Pennfield station, Shore Line rail- 



wa}', 248 " 



4. Pennheld station (railway levels), 228 " 



