162 THE EFFECTS OF GLACIATION IN THE VICINITY OF 



ing to a stream-cut valley. As we advance northward towards 

 its mouth, it gradually grows wider and finally ceases, the brooks 

 flowing over a gently sloping surface. The length of the gorge 

 is about 3,500 feet and its width averages about 350 feet. 



Throughout its entire course, it is free from drift, which is so 

 com.mon in this locality. Near its mouth a well-defined moraine 

 may be seen, which will be described later. 



During my many examinations of this gorge I noted the follow- 

 ing evidences which seem to support the theory that this valley 

 was cut by a rapidly-flowing stream, and that the time was 

 not sufficient to allow it to become adjusted to the underlying 

 rock structure. Here rocks dip about twenty degrees in a 

 northeasterly direction, and as the stream runs nearly parallel 

 to the strike it may thus be considered a strike valley. When 

 strike valleys develop normally and are adjusted to the geolo- 

 gical structure, one side is steep and the other side has a gentle 

 slope; but here we find that both sides slope alike, and this seems 

 to show that the gorge was cut out rapidly and, therefore, not 

 adjusted. Here the sandstone is very soft and easily eroded. 



Judging from the direction of the valley, the location of the 

 moraine, and the fact that the head of the gorge is the lowest 

 point on the Wolfville ridge with the exception of a place south 

 of Grand Pre, where a similar gorge exists, it appears that this 

 valley may have been a spill-way of the Gaspereau River. 

 If the Gaspereau was ever dammed by glaciation, this gorge 

 would naturally carry off the overflow, and after the retreat of 

 the ice would dwindle to its present size 



It seems hard to believe that the present watershed of the Wolf- 

 ville ridge could supply enough water to cut a valley of this 

 size; and moreover if this were true, the valley would have been 

 cut more slowly and would show a normal development. 



The moraine that lies to the northwest of the mouth of the 

 gorge is about sixty or seventy feet above sea level, and contains 

 a little boulder-clay and many huge boulders weighing several 

 tons down to the smallest rock fragments. Here may be seen 

 trap from the North Mountain, sandstone, shale, and other 

 rocks, lying in a confused heap. None of these rocks have been 

 transported from any great distance; the trap had the longest 

 journey, about twelve miles. These boulders are characteristic 

 of glaciation, having a flat smooth side with rough edges, and 

 many are well striated. 



