Sir H. Howorth — Surface Contour of Scandinavia ^ Finland. 355 



on the origin of the foliation of the granite of the Himalayas, and 

 do not in the least traverse the theory I have offered to explain 

 that phenomenon. The evidence supplied in the Memoir under 

 review is on points which are not only not in dispute, but actually 

 form an essential part of my theory. Nothing more need be said 

 by me unless a serious attempt be made to meet or disprove that 

 theory. 



III. — The Geologically Recent Origin of the Surface 



Contour of Scandinavia and Finland, and its Lessons. 



By Sir Henry H. Howohth, K.C.I.E., M.P., F.R.S., F.G.S. 



SOME time ago I discussed in this Magazine the recent geology 

 of Greenland ; and I ventured to argue, and, I think, to prove, 

 that the general rise of that great island from the sea, which is 

 conceded by every inquirer, has been unbroken, and that during 

 the so-called Glacial period, instead of being a lofty plateau as it 

 now is, it was a comparatively low-lying land. I ventured further 

 to argue, and also, I think, to prove, that with the rise from the sea 

 of this gi-eat island there has been a corresponding fall in its 

 temperature, which is a very natural and simple a priori meteorological 

 conclusion, and to adduce a number of biological facts to show that 

 daring the so-called Glacial period Greenland, instead of having been 

 mantled with an ice-sheet as it is now, had a comparatively mild 

 climate ; and that its scanty fauna and flora, instead of having been 

 the result of sporadic migrations thither since the so-called Glacial 

 age, is, in fact, the expiring and shrinking remnant of a once much 

 more important life. The facts and arguments I adduced have 

 nowhere been traversed or met, and it seems to me they are 

 unanswerable. 



I now propose a more hazardous work, namely, to apply the same 

 arguments I used in regard to Greenland to Scandinavia and its 

 borders, more hazardous because Scandinavia is the very sanctum 

 of the Glacial geologist, and in attacking him there we attack him 

 in his citadel. I may premise my remarks by saying that I have 

 paid two visits to Sweden, one to the island of Gothland, and one 

 to Finland. 



That Northern and Central Scandinavia have recently risen from 

 the sea, has been known since the beginning of the last century, and 

 has been the subject-matter of many memoirs and many researches, 

 in which Lyell, among others, distinguished himself. I do not 

 know anyone that disputes or denies the conclusion. The fact is 

 thus stated by that picturesque and careful writer, Eeclus : — Elevated 

 beaches, which can be traced by the eye like the steps of an 

 amphitheatre, are arranged in stages at various heights on the slopes 

 of the mountains. Heaps of modern shells are found at heights 

 of 500 to 650 feet above the level of the sea ; and the great branches 

 of pink coral formed by the Lopholielia prolifera, which lives in the 

 sea at a depth varying from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, are now raised up 

 to the base of the cliff.^ The pine-woods, too, which clothe the 

 1 Carl Vogt, Nordfahrt. 



