Canoeing among Icebergs. 97 



has been extended by the action of the waves and tides until a 

 beach a hundred feet in length has been deposited. The dash- 

 ing of the l)owlders and sand against the cliffs at the head of the 

 cove by the incoming waves has increased its extension in that 

 direction so as to form a well-sheltered ' refuge. The absence of 

 beaches on other portions of the island is due to the fact that its 

 bordering precipices descend abruptly into deep water, and do 

 not admit of the accumulation of debris about their bases. With- 

 out stones and sand with which the waves can work, the excava- 

 tion of terraces is an exceedingly slow operation. The precipitous 

 nature of the borders of the island is due, to some extent at least, 

 to the abrasion of the rocks by the glacial ice which once encir- 

 cled it. 



Pulling our canoe far up on the beach, we began the ascent of 

 the cliffs. Hundreds of sea birds, startled from their nests by 

 our intrusion, circled fearlessly about our heads and filled the 

 air Avith their wild cries. The more exposed portions of the 

 slopes were bare of vegetation, but in the shelter of every depres- 

 sion dense thickets obstructed the way. Many of the little basins 

 between the rounded knolls hold tarns of fresh water, and were 

 occupied at the time of our visit by flocks of gray geese. It is 

 evident that the island was intensely glaciated at no distant da.j. 

 The sui'faces of its rounded domes are so smoothly polished that 

 they glitter like mirrors in the sunlight. On the polished sur- 

 faces there are deep grooves and fine, hair-like lines, made by the 

 stones set in the bottom of the glacier which once flowed over 

 the island and removed all of the rocks that Avere not firm and 

 hard. On many of the domes of sandstone there rest boAvlders 

 of a different character, Avhich have CAddently been, brought from 

 the mountains toAvard the northeast. 



The summit of the island is about 800 feet above the level of 

 the sea, and, like its sides, is polished and striated. The terraces 

 on the mountains of the mainland show that the glacier Avhich- 

 formerly flowed out from Disenchantment bay must liaA^e been 

 fully 2,000 feet deep. The bed it occupied toAvard the south is 

 noAV flooded by the Avaters of Yakutat bay. 



At the time of Malaspina's visit, 100 years ago, the glaciers 

 from the north reached Haenke island, and surrounded it on 

 three sides.* At the rate of retreat indicated by comparing 



* The map accompanying Malaspina's report and indicating tliese condi- 

 tions laas already been mentioned, and is reproduced on plate 7, page 68. 



