138 LABRADOR 
heaviest. The crust underlying northwestern Europe has 
behaved in a similarly suggestive way since the melting 
away of the thick Scandinavian ice-cap. The theory of 
crustal sensitiveness is strengthened by this repeated oc- 
currence of the phenomenon, but as yet other explanations 
cannot be excluded. The final unravelling of the mystery 
will be of prime importance in geological investigations as 
to the raising of mountain-chains and the increase of the 
continents. 
We cross the Strait of Belle Isle once more, homeward 
bound. Large questions are left to us. From Archean 
time as from the latest grand event in Labrador’s history, 
they rise to claim the attention of future generations of 
Nature’s students. That attention they will surely have, 
for the coast shares with other wild lands one greater value 
“than the best arable we have.” Old Jacques Cartier, 
searching for an Eldorado, found Labrador, and in disgust 
called it “the land of Cain.” A century and a half after- 
ward Lieutenant Roger Curtis wrote of it as “a country 
formed of frightful mountains, and unfruitful vallies, a prodi- 
gious heap of barren rock’’; and George Cartwright, in his 
gossipy journal, summed up his impressions after five and 
twenty years on the coast. He said: “God created that 
country last of all, and threw together there the refuse of 
his materials as of no use to mankind.” 
In our own day the artist and scientific explorer give us 
wiser counsels. We have at last learned the vital fact that 
Nature has set apart her own picture-galleries where men 
may resort if for a time they would forget human contri- 
vances. It is good for man to be alone, good for him to 
