CHANGES IN LEVEL OF THE LAND 297 
cases the change in level has been comparatively 
recent; but in many of the rocks, the fossils are 
those of animals which long since became extinct. 
Elevated Shore Lines. Along numerous coasts, also, 
there are distinct beaches and wave-cut cliffs, exactly 
like those now in process of formation at sea-level, 
but in these cases existing at an elevation of many 
feet above the present ocean surface. Such structures 
would not long stand the destructive action of denuda- 
tion, and hence we conclude that these beaches were 
formed in fairly recent times, when the land was lower 
in relation to the sea. On the New England coast, 
particularly along the shores of Maine, and also further 
north on the coast of Nova Scotia, Labrador, and Baffin 
Land, there are beaches at an elevation of scores, or 
even hundreds of feet above the present sea-level. 
Cases of this kind are found on many coasts. 
Hvidence of Depression. Not only is_ elevation 
proved by geological evidence, but signs of depression 
are likewise found. In fact there may be proof of 
both upward and downward movements even on the 
same coast. Thus along the New England shore, 
there are many places where forest trees and peat 
‘bogs are found beneath low tide (Fig. 176). These 
must have grown above the level of the sea water. 
Another evidence of the same movement is found in 
the bays, estuaries, harbors, and fjords of many coasts. 
