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Ch. XIX.] LANDSLIPS ON SHORES OF THE AMAZONS. 4G9 



tudes, as essential for the establishment of the former exist- 

 ence of glaciers where they are now no more. No glaciated 

 pebbles, or far-transported angular blocks, with polished and 

 striated sides, no extensive surface of rock, smooth and tra- 

 versed by rectilinear furrows, were observed. 



The islands such as Marajo and others, off the present 

 mouth of the Amazons, certainly imply that vast encroach- 

 ments of the ocean have taken place since the freshwater 



formed 



We 



informed by Agassiz that even in the last ten years the sea 



has 



much 



200 yards, and within the last twenty years, one island north- 

 east of the bay of Vigia has been entirely swept away, while 

 it is probable that the Paranahyba and some other rivers in 

 the province of Maranham, which now enter the ocean by 



Am 



Mr 



the present coast-line, is a low flat area about 80 miles in 

 length and width, wholly formed of mud and sediment in 

 comparatively recent times, by the Amazons. The same tra- 



veller gives us a graphic account of the rate at which the 



great river in the higher parts of its course is denuding its 

 banks. ' One morning,' he says, « I was awoke before sunrise 

 by an unusual sound resembling the roar of artillery ; the 

 noise came from a considerable distance, one crash succeed- 

 ing another. I supposed it to be an earthquake, for although 

 the night was breathlessly calm, the broad river was much 

 agitated, and the vessel rolled heavily. Soon after another 

 loud explosion took place, followed by others, which lasted 

 for an hour till the day dawned, and we then saw the work of 

 destruction going forward on the other side of the river, 

 about three miles off. Large masses of forest, including trees 

 of colossal size, probably 200 feet in height, were rocking to 

 and fro, and falling headlong one after another into the 

 water. After each avalanche, the wave which it caused re- 

 turned on the crumbly bank with tremendous force, and 

 caused the fall of other masses by undermining. The line 



mile 



in length ; 



from 





