176 SEA AND LAND 



structure. It is most distinctly presented in the case of the 

 greater indentations bearing this name which lie along the 

 coast of Norway. Where the valleys of this nature are less 

 accented, as along the eastern coast of North America, there 

 is barely a trace of the sill or ridge between the basin and the 

 sea, or it may be altogether absent. 



While in the main the fiord channels lie at right angles 

 to the coast-line of the sea into which they open, each of 

 these basins commonly exliibits numerous side bays extend- 

 ing more or less nearly at right angles to the axis or main 

 line of its trough. It generally is evident that these ramifica- 

 tions of the fiord are cut in the softer rocks or in the weak 

 places of the strata against which they lie. Where the side 

 embranchments of one fiord come in contact with those of 

 another and the valleys are cut to a sufficient depth, their 

 waters may be confluent and islands are formed. Thus it 

 comes about that in passing from the sea towards the firm 

 land of a fiorded coast there are usually encountered first a 

 fringe of islands and then the embayments which penetrate 

 the body of the land. A rational consideration of the facts 

 shows us that islands and bays alike are due to the same 

 cause. While it is easy to perceive that the conditions 

 which have determined the formation of fiords are peculiar, 

 much difficulty has been encountered in arriving at a clear 

 conception as to the nature of the forces which have exca- 

 vated them. Although their origin is yet under debate, the 

 facts point to the conclusion that fiords are mainly, if not 

 altogether, due to the peculiar kind of wearing which takes 

 place beneath a glacial sheet. 



In examining the question as to the origin of fiords we 

 should in the first place note that this class of indentations 



