MODIFIED DRIFT OF THE LAKE DISTRICT. 121 



75 feet. The pre-glacial outlets from this basin were along the present 

 course of the Winnipiseogee river and south-cast from Alton bay towards 

 Cochecho river. Both of these old outlets are partly filled with till or 

 modified drift ; but it is certain that if these materials were wholly re- 

 moved a large portion of the lake would remain, bordered by rock on all 

 sides. 



The lowest points in the water-shed around Winnipiseogee lake, with 

 their heights in feet above the lake, are the following: Summit on railroad 

 between Meredith Village and Pemigewasset valley at Ashland, i66, ten 

 feet below the natural surface; at two and a half miles north from Mere- 

 dith Village, about 140, and at same distance north from Center Harbor, 

 about 100, these points being the lowest bctv.-een this and Squam lake; 

 the "Varney pass," between Moultonborough and the Bear Camp valley, 

 about 150; summit on railroad between Wolfeborough and Salmon Falls 

 valley, 164; between Smith's pond and Cook's pond, about 200; summit 

 on railroad between Alton Bay and Cochecho valley, 72 ; and near Lily 

 pond in Gilford, between the lake and Long bay, about 75 feet. The two 

 last of these places show by their modified drift that they w^ere formerly 

 outlets of the lake. 



These lake basins lie upon the south side of the White Mountains, from 

 which source we might expect a greater depth of ice to move southward 

 and cover this area near the close of the glacial period than would at that 

 time remain in other parts of the state to the east and west. The ice- 

 sheet probably lay over Squam and Winnipiseogee lakes in a broad moun- 

 tain-like ridge till after it was almost wholly melted away over the low- 

 lands of York county, Maine, in the basin of Ossipee lake, and for some 

 distance along the Bear Camp valley. The ice-current was thus changed 

 in direction on this side, and the last striae marked on the ledges differ 

 much from the prevailing course of about S. 40° E., being deflected 

 towards the east or even to the north of east. This is shown by the fol- 

 lowing observations, all of which are reduced to the true meridian.* 



*The magnetic needle has a dedination of 12° to the west. (See map, vol. i, p. 154.) 

 VOL. III. 16 



