1C2 J. MALCOLM MACLAKEN", ESQ., B.SC.^ F.G.S., ON 



rather than precipitous valleys with overhanging' glaciers. There 

 is no doubt in my mind that very extensive glaciers would produce 

 valleys with soft slopes, and such valleys were probably produced 

 at the period of the greatest extension of the ice ; but supposing 

 that to have been followed by a considerable period of less 

 extension of the ice, i.e., the ice sheet filling a less wide valley, 

 then I see no reason why the attenuated ice-sheet should not go 

 on grinding out a narrower rock-basin. I have seen modern 

 glaciers ovei"hung, in some places, by precipitous cliffs. So I do 

 not think the evidence that glaciers are not even now scoring 

 out valleys and making depressions which are bounded at their 

 furthest extent by a rock barrier is quite conclusive. I do not 

 for a moment deny the oscillation of level. That is abundantly 

 proved by the evidence that Mr. Maclaren brought before us. 

 The paper is one which gives rise to much ground for thought 

 on our pai't, and I am much indebted, personally, to Mr. Maclaren 

 for having brought the subject before us. 



The Chairman. — ^To what Dr. Jack has just said I should like 

 to add that from ray little observation in Norway I have noticed 

 that the fjords in some cases have exceedingly pi-ecipitous sides — 

 as precipitous as they possibly could be, rising for several 

 thousand feet, and sinking, as we were informed on my trip, 80 

 fathoms close to the shore. 



We were told by Professor Hull, in his recent lecture, that 

 these fjords show markings of glacial action near to the present 

 level of the water, and he infers from their depths that they were 

 true glacial beds after they had been river-channels. It seems to 

 me that the record ot" depths in this table is not complete for 

 drawing an inference. If you only give the depth at the mouth 

 and then give the average depth afterwards, it is not evident 

 whether the maximum depth coincides with the narrowing of the 

 valleys at certain points. If the valleys became very narrow, 

 then the heaped up ice caused by its pressure and erosive action 

 a deepening of the valley. The ice, being throttled, would 

 hollow out a greater depth. Of course water does that too if 

 flowing rapidly. I understand the lecturer to say that in New 

 Zealand glacial markings are not found low down close to the 

 water in these lands. Is that so r 



Mr. Maclaken. — Yes ; the few that have been observed have been, 

 found near sea-level. 



