THE NEW ZEALAND SOUND BASINS 43 



- Therefore we should expect readjustment of grades at present. 

 So far is this distant in point of time that the deep rock basins are 

 still only partially filled up. Until such readjustment of stream 

 grades be brought about, aggradation and stagnation with local minor 

 corrasion will be the only expression of present-day ice-action. 



In comparing these "facts of form" in New Zealand with those 

 of other strongly glaciated regions in areas of steep profound canyons 

 having short runs to baselevel,^ such as Alaska, Norway,^ and Pata- 

 gonia(?), we are struck with the wonderful similarity between the 

 several topographies. In all are found the same tremendous fiord 

 depths, the steep bordering walls, the peculiarly shaped rock basins, 

 the truncation of spurs, the wealth of domes, the magnificence of the 

 cirques, and the prevalence of "hanging" valleys. In all is observ- 

 able the evidence of a former widespread intense glaciation. The 

 steep-walled canyons possess their peculiar features in the most 

 marked degree near the points of convergence. In no formerly 

 non-glaciated region are such features obtainable; indeed, non- 

 glaciated New Zealand and Australia stand out in the most marked 

 contrast. It has also, in the previous pages, been shown that, on 

 the assumption of an ice-flood — a fact which cannot be disputed — 

 the observed forms are precisely those which could be expected. If 

 New Zealand forms are explicable on the hypothesis of stream can- 

 yons modified by ice-floods, so also are those of Alaskan, Norwegian, 

 Alpine, Sierran, and similar localities. 



A couple of other points might be touched on at this stage, the 

 remainder being reserved for treatment when considering the objec- 

 tions raised by several leading geologists to the theory of profound 

 ice-modification. 



I. Subsidence has often been advanced to explain the depth of 

 fiord waters. Against this the writer^ would strongly protest, unless 

 supported by observation. It is utterly opposed to the evidence 

 yielded by a study of recent New Zealand and eastern Australian 



^ I. e., great comparative velocity by steepness of ice-fall, convergence of canyons, 

 etc. 



* The Californian Sierras, the Rockies, and the European Alps doubtless fall 

 also into line with these localities. 



3 For New Zealand. 



