176 Dr Martens on the Glaciers of Spitsbergen. 



follows that the glaciers of Spitzbergen are flanked by lateral 

 moraines, in general little elevated, and always in immediate 

 contact with the ice. In fact the blocks, existing only at the 

 sides, are thrown off' to the right and left. I have seen some 

 which were simply resting on the surface, others half buried 

 in the ice of the lateral walls, with only their outer part pro- 

 jecting ; others, finally, which had rolled from the higher part 

 of the glacier on the moraine. I remember one of these blocks 

 measuring three cubic metres at least, which was suspended, 

 so to speak, on a very steep part of the terminal glacier of 

 Magdalena Bay. The sailors imagined that the exertions of 

 a few men would make it roll down ; but they soon perceived 

 that it was frozen by its base to the glacier, and that it would 

 require to be detached from the ice before it could be thrown 

 down. As there are no blocks in the centre of the Spitz- 

 bergen glaciers, the latter have no terminal moraines. It may 

 be said that it is at the bottom of the sea that these ought to 

 be sought for ; but the considerable depths found in their vi- 

 cinity (64 to 110 metres) must make us reject this supposition. 

 The surface of the Spitzbergen glaciers scarcely ever melt- 

 ing, we never observe these blocks elevated on a column of ice 

 (Gletschertische), which excite our wonder on the lower gla- 

 ciers of Switzerland 



Bv speaking of these blocks of stone, some of which are em- 

 bedded in the ice while others rest on the surface, I have 

 touched upon one of the most controverted and important 

 questions of geology, that of the transportation of erratic 

 blocks or boulders. I shall confine myself to a short synopsis 

 of the facts, which may afford arguments to the partisans of 

 either of the two theories which now divide the learned. 



1*^, Blocks exist on the surface and in the interior of the 

 glaciers of Spitzbergen. 



2c?, The blocks on the surface always lie on the sides of the 

 glacier. Those which are embedded in the ice are seen 

 throughout the whole height of the lateral walls. 



3d, I have never seen blocks in the middle of the surface of 

 a glacier, nor in the vertical wall facing the sea. 



4///, Every thing leads me to believe that the greater part 



