DRUMLINS OF CENTRAL WESTERN NEW YORK 435 



Drumlins of Ireland 



The remarkable series of drumlins described by Kinahan and 

 Close ^ have a special interest in this study, as they are ^the type 

 forms, produced by local glaciation in a far distant land, and are 

 strikingly similar in essential features to our New York forms. 



The distribution of the principal group of the Irish drumlins is 

 shown on plate 47 which is a copy, in reduced size, of a portion 

 (upper right corner) of the original map by the Irish authors. The 

 direction of flow of the ice current that produced this group of drum- 

 lins was toward the north, and spreading specially to the west, toward 

 Clew bay; but in other districts the few drumlins have other direc- 

 tions, corresponding to the radial flow of the ice away from the local 

 center of accumulation. The arrangement of the drumlins in curv- 

 ing lines of the ice flowage is very striking, and not easily explained 

 except by the constructional theory of their genesis. 



The drumlins are described as occurring only on low ground, and 

 even forming" islands and shoals in the sea (Clew bay). Their 

 absence from some parts of the low plain is noted as a feature not 

 understood. 



The up stream ends of the drumlins (with reference to the ice 

 currents) are noted as the blunt ends, althougii this is not stated as 

 a constant feature, since the hills have suffered some erosion by 

 marine submergence. 



The " parallel shaping " of the general ground surface in the 

 drumlin district was observed. 



The extreme hight of the drumlins is given as 180 feet, in 

 striking accordance with the New York forms. Another important 

 observation is the "observable uniformity in size in the same neigh- 

 borhood." Concerning length it is noted that several of the drum- 

 lins are 2 miles long; and that the mean length is not less than ^ 

 mile. 



With reference to the composition the authors say that the drum- 

 lins " consist of stiff, unstratified boulder clay, containing well 

 blunted and scratched stones and blocks." "They have been 



I Kinahan, G. H. & Close, H. M. General Glaciation of lar-Connaught and its Neighbor- 

 hood, in the Counties of Galway and Mayo. With map. Dublin 1872. 



For the favor of seeing this somewhat rare pamphlet and using its matter and map the writer 

 is indei»ted to Mr F. B. Taylor. 



