NO. a.] GEOLOGICAL SKETCH BY NANSEN. 9 



heights of the most prominent ones were : 2'7, 9 10'6, 12'5 14'9, and 23'5 

 24-4 metres (9, 3035, 4149, and 7780 feet) above sea-level. 



Elmwood is situated on a well-marked beach of this description, from 

 12-5 to 15-1 m. (41 49Va feet) high. The bottom of Windy Gully has a 

 similar succession of terraces at heights of 2'7, 9'1 10, and 14 metres (9, 30 

 33, 46 feet). The bottom of the valley at the highest place was 16'8 m. (55 

 feet) above sea-level. As we thus find these most prominent beaches at the 

 same level on both sides of Cape Flora, it is probable that the upheaval of this 

 hill in recent times has been the same on all sides. 



These raised beaches are in most places covered with a layer, generally 

 one or two feet thick or even more, composed to a great extent of rounded and 

 water-worn boulders and pebbles of basalt, of all sizes. Under this layer the 

 stratified clay on sandy clay deposits, with nodules of sandstone, etc. embedded 

 in it, were found. These beaches, or old shore-lines, must therefore to a great 

 extent have been washed, and cut out by the sea in the soft Jurassic clay 

 or sand, and have been covered by stones falling from the basalt cliffs above. 

 These stones have been washed and worn by the swell near the shore, and 

 they now protect the soft clay and sand underneath. 



The order of succession of the geological formations on the southern face 

 of Cape Flora, commencing from the summit, will be as follows: 

 370 m. (1200 feet) 

 to snow and ice; 



340 (1100 ) 



340 (1100 , ) 



basalt, composed of 6 or 7 tiers, between which thin strata, 

 to 



some with plant-remains, are intercalated; 

 175 (575 ) 



175 ( 575 ) soft Jurassic strata, chiefly soft clay or sandy clay, in 

 to which hard stone nodules (clay, clay-sandstone, argillaceous 



(0 ) limestone, marl etc.) are embedded. 



The Jurassic Strata of Cape Flora. 



Wherever I had an opportunity of examining the Jurassic strata under- 

 lying the basalt, they were composed principally of a bluish grey or brownish 

 grey, soft and tenacious clay, or sandy clay (and in one place of clayey 

 sand). The clay was of about the same softness as the clay deposits on the 



