258 H. W.Pearson — Oscillations of Sea-level. 



formerly deep water" {Science, vol. v, p. 262). Newchang (China), 

 once a seaport, abandoned for Taitze, on account of recession of the 

 sea. Taitze in its turn abandoned during the present century, and 

 Yingtze established owing to the shoaling of the water (Journ. 

 Koy. Geog. Soc, vol. xliii, p. 258). 



Indian Survey shows " it is almost certain that the mean, sea-level 

 at Madras is a foot lower than it was sixty years ago" (Science, 

 vol. iv, p. 212). Gaur, or Gour, India, subject to inundation in 

 1590; not so now (Encyc. Brit., vol. x, p. 113). "Very curious 

 evidence of the gradual elevation of the land, or rather of the 

 constant retrocession of the sea, is afforded by the traditions of 

 the community of Verawow " (India). " It is several generations 

 since any sea-borne ships have been near this ancient port " (Journ. 

 Eoy. Geog. Soc, 1870, pp. 194-5). Adam's Bridge, connecting 

 Ceylon and India, breached by high water in year 1480 (Encyc. 

 Brit., vol. XX, p. 266). 



Investigation near the site of the Temple of Jupiter Serapis 

 (Bay of Baie) informs us that about 1503 and 1511 the level of 

 the Mediterranean Sea at that point stood 20 to 22 feet higher 

 than at present (A. J. Jukes-Browne, " Physical Geography," p. 46). 

 "The period of deep submergence was certainly antecedent to 

 the close of the fifteenth century" (Temple of Jupiter Serapis), 

 (Lyell's " Principles," 11th ed., p. 173). 



Henry Hudson in 1610 wintered in an arm of Hudson Bay, now 

 impassable except for small boats. In 1674 sloop sailed through, 

 between island and the main west shore of James Bay. In 1886 it 

 was difficult to get through this passage with canoes (Journ. Science, 

 ser. IV, vol. i, p. 224). 



This part of the island [Isle of Pines, off south-west coast of 

 Cuba] seems to have been upheaved in relatively recent times, 

 for even within the historical period (i.e. since 1492) various 

 islets on the coast have been merged in continuous land (" The 

 Earth and its Inhabitants," North America, vol. i, p. 364). 

 " Interesting examples of recent elevation are believed to occur 

 in the neighbourhood of Washington, D.C. In colonial times 

 Bladensburg and Dumfries could be reached by sea-going ships, 

 but now they are decidedly above tide-level. The change is 

 generally supposed to be due to silting up of the creek, but this 

 appears not to be the case, for there is little alluvium resting upon 

 the bed-rock of the channels " (W. B. Scott, " Introduction to 

 Geology," p. 67). 



In the second volume of the Maryland Geological Survey, 

 Mr. Edward B. Mathews discusses at length the difference existing 

 between the ancient maps of Chesapeake Bay and the modern 

 maps. He examines Captain John Smith's map of 1608, Herriman's 

 map of 1670, etc. As to these differences Blathews remarks as 

 follows : — " He [Smith] clearly mistook the deeply indented 

 peninsulas of Dorchester and Talbot Counties for islands " (p. 354). 

 '* The rest of the shore-line indicates either a loose generalization of 

 marshy lowlands, or that some of the smaller points and islands are 



