On the Natcre and Origin of the Eskers of Nova 

 Scotia. — By Walter H. Prest, Halifax,. N. S. 



Introduction. — My attention has been drawn to the 

 lack of scientific work done on the eskers and other glacial 

 deposits of Nova Scotia. Having given some time to the 

 distribution and historj- of our glacial deposits, I should 

 like to consider their origin and offer a few suggestions as 

 to future and more critical examinations than I have had 

 time to make. For years I have subscribed to the generally 

 accepted opinion that eskers, as these ridges of sand and 

 gravel are called, belong to the sub-glacial drainage system 

 of the latest phase of the glacial age; but a more recent 

 comparison of facts has convinced me that no such explana- 

 tion could possibly account for conditions as thej'^ are'-now- 



A New Theory of Origin. — I know that in advancing 

 the theory of origin given below I am in complete opposition 

 to some scientists of the highest reputation, but I trust the 

 evidence I offer will carry weight enough to at least deserve 

 consideration. 



As some of the members of our Institute may not have 

 bestowed much time on the glacial geology of Nova Scotia, 

 I shall explain what an esker is. I will use the more familiar 

 name of esker, rather than the Swedish name of osar, often 

 used by American geologists. 



Proc. & Tbans. N. S. Inst. Sci., Vol. XIV. Trans. 24 



(371) 



