140 TRACES OF ANCIENT GLACIERS 



ascending the valley of the Arve, beyond Chamouny, we pass over an enormous 

 moraine, probably once produced by the Mer de Glace, which moraine once 

 blocked up the whole valley to the height of 150 or 200 feet, but the Arve has 

 cut a passage through it on the north side, and while eroding its present bed, it 

 formed several terraces on both banks to the height of 50 feet, which extend to 

 the village of Argentiere. Beyond that place, another moraine blocked up the 

 valley, and has been in like manner cut through by the river, and I thought I 

 could see terraces above the barrier in the hamlet of le Tour, which I did not 

 enter. These effects were produced in the Alps without any general submergence 

 of the country, and therefore the moraines are but little obscured in their charac- 

 ters. In the great valley of Switzerland, which appears to have been beneath the 

 ocean for a long time subsequent to the ancient widely extended glaciers, the 

 masses of detritus, once probably moraines, have been much modified on their sur- 

 face, but within retain more nearly the character of unchanged moraines. 



In the same manner do the moraines which I am describing in Massachusetts 

 appear to me to have been modified and obscured by the long-continued presence 

 and the action of water, as the surface emerged from the deep. It is this fact that 

 seems to me to have obscured the phenomena so much that I have long hesitated 

 to admit the existence of genuine moraines among our mountains. But the cases 

 which I describe in this paper, taking into account this subsequent modifying 

 influence of water, I cannot but hope will bear the test of examination. I shall 

 refer to others besides those on Westfield river ; and I have reason to suppose that 

 if it had been in my power to examine the valleys, I might multiply examples. I 

 think, for instance, that they exist in the valley of Saco river among the White 

 mountains ; but they are not numerous or striking. 



Deerfield river, between Florida and Deerfield, crosses the ridges of mica slate, 

 talcose slate, and gneiss, more nearly in an easterly direction than does the West- 

 field river. From Shelburne falls to where it debouches into Deerfield meadows, 

 the river occupies a deep and wild gulf, which is called the Ghor. Above Shel- 

 burne falls, through most of Charlemont, nearly ten miles, the valley is broader 

 and is occupied by terraces a considerable portion of the way, as represented upon 

 the map. The descent of the river thus far is moderate : but for four or five miles 

 beyond, the lofty hills crowd closer upon the river and the descent is greater. 

 This brings us to the Tunnel which is commenced for penetrating Hoosac moun- 

 tain, and above this point, Deerfield river, which through Charlemont runs E. S. E., 

 takes a nearly southwest direction. It comes down from Vermont, through one of 

 the wildest gorges in New England, scarcely admitting of roads or cultivation. 

 From the Tunnel the road passes northwesterly over Hoosac mountain, rising 1415 

 feet above the Tunnel, or 1860 feet above Shelburne falls, or about 2480 feet 

 above the ocean. From this high ridge must a glacier have come, if one ever 

 descended Deerfield river, in Massachusetts. 



Accordingly on the east face of Hoosac mountain, I found striae running N. W. 

 and S. E, on a steep easterly slope, the mountain itself running nearly north and 

 south. They may be very distinctly seen, passing of course obliquely down the 

 mountain, at least 800 feet above the Tunnel, and although the drift stria* on the 



