﻿1861.] 



GESNER MOVEMENTS OF LAND. 



385 



de Chaleurs, there has been a depression, evidently slow in its progress 

 and continued. In the vicinity of Bay des Vents and Lower Bay des 

 Vents, extensive peat-bogs are seen at low water reaching outwards 

 beneath the sea : the peat is of super-marine growth, and its highest 

 parts are scarcely above the tide-level. The shores are low and 

 level ; and evidences of land-slides are absent. At Bathurst, on the 

 contrary, and on the opposite shore of Lower Canada, there has been 

 an elevation of several feet, and which apparently is still progressing. 

 A number of minor elevations and depressions were observed during 

 the writer's geological survey of the Province, before leaving which 

 the terraces along the Upper St. John Biver may be adverted to, as 

 being connected with this subject. 



On the banks of this river we frequently observe, in ascending 

 from its borders, several parallel steps which rise abruptly from one 

 level to another in succession. These steps are composed of diluvial 

 matter, in which there are occasionally contained decayed timber and 

 fragments of freshwater shells. These are well displayed near the 

 ferry four miles below "Woodstock. 



Section of the Terraces near Woodstock, New Brunswick. 



a. The river. 



b. First terrace, 22 feet above the level of the river. 



c. Second terrace, 28 feet aboA T e the level of the river. 



d. Third terrace, 40 feet above the level of the river. 



These several terraces mark distinctly the former banks of the 

 river, which has been withdrawn from its ancient limits to a narrow 

 channel with an increased velocity of current. Near the mouth of 

 Maduxnakeag, a tributary of the St. John, the ancient bed of the 

 stream is now dry and under cultivation. Whether these terraces 

 have been produced by an uplifting or depressing force, it is difficult 

 to ascertain. It is probable, however, that the site of the river was 

 oncealake, which has been drained.by the yielding of the earth further 

 down the stream, where there are now violent rapids and marks of 

 recent terrestrial disturbance. Terraced valleys are common on 

 many of the rivers of North America. 



Nova Scotia. — At many places in Nova Scotia, changes of level on 

 the surface of the earth appear very distinct, although they are less 

 manifest than they are in the sister Province. It is generally main- 

 tained by aged persons, that the tides flowing into the Bay of Fundy 

 and Minas Basin and its numerous rivers and creeks are rising. 

 The records of ancient landmarks, the encroachment of the water 

 upon the dry earth, the discovery of ancient bridges and relics of the 

 native Indians beneath the present tide-level, corroborate 'that 

 opinion.^ At numerous places in the marshes of the Shubenacadia, 

 Avon, and King's County Bivers, the alluvia of the sea are perfectly 



