III. ON DRIFT ICE AS AN ERODING AND TRANSPORTING AGENT. 

 -BY W. H. PREST, Bedford, N. S. 



(Communicated lUh January, 1901.) 



Introductory. 



In the following notes, although I may not be able to bring 

 forward any new facts of importance, I can at least ad'l my 

 testimony to that of those who have studkd in the same line. 



Having had an opportunity, while in Labrador, during the 

 the past summer, of observing the action of drift ice as an erod- 

 ing and transporting agent, I submit the following, prefaced by 

 a few notes on the elevation now going on there. 



On the north-fast coast of Labrador, where my observations 

 were made, the action of purely drift ice is more marked than 

 anywhere else in the same latitude; and during the melting and 

 transportation of the northern ice there is abundant opportunity 

 for gathering information relating to the subject. 



During the short Arctic summer the northern ocean pours 

 forth a tremendous stream of ice. This stream, borne southward 

 on the bosom of an Arctic current, sweeps fiom side to side, the 

 sport of ever-changing winds, like the tail of a gigantic kite. 

 Sometimes this stream or tail is swept out into the Atlantic, 

 then against the rock-bound coast of Labrador, and often through 

 the Straits of Belle Isle into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The 

 field- or pan-ice inshore, and the bergs in deeper water, here 

 exhibit their capabilities under many varying conditions. Their 

 action in deep and shoal waters, or on steep shores and sub- 

 merped ridges, and their power as erosive and transporting agents, 

 can be seen to advantage. There are several reasons why this 

 c^ast should be considered the best known station for the obser- 

 vance of the effects of drift ice : 



1st. Its convenient nearness to civilization and the source 

 of ice supply. 



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