REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I916 157 



grind against and detach other particles of the surface. Those who 

 will consult the more recent textbooks of geology, or the gradually 

 increasing literature on the work of wind, will find that there is 

 here an important and almost virgin field for quantitative experi- 

 mental work. 



So soon as any land mass is elevated it has a decreased thickness 

 of atmosphere over it, and this allows more energetic action of 

 insolation and radiation. The more rapid the changes in surface 

 temperatures, the more quickly the flaking off of rock surfaces is 

 accomplished. This process, producing exfoliation, can be studied 

 on all exposed and elevated rock faces in the Adirondack region. 



Elevation also reduces temperature and increases rainfall. The 

 two together lengthen the annual period in which the expansive 

 power of freezing water can come into play. 



Elevation not only increases the amount of precipitation but it 

 increases the speed of running water and we here have one of the 

 most effective agents for loosening and transporting rock material. 

 Any textbook of geology will help one to attain some comprehension 

 of how this and still other factors work and we need not burden our 

 paper with the mere mention of numerous erosive processes which 

 are intensified through elevation. It should be enough for us to 

 know that every molecule of rock above sea level has 'its ticket pur- 

 chased for the sea and, though frequent " stop overs " are granted, 

 it must make its journey, though this may be by an air route, by 

 running water, by moving ice, or by depression of great land 

 masses. 



If the fault at Haven bay began to develop so far back as Utica 

 or Lorraine times, and while as yet both sides were under water 

 and receiving deposits, then, as the southern side was lifted nearer 

 water level, wave and current action would remove its unlithified 

 surfaces and deposit them in the deeper waters over the northern 

 side. When at last the higher side emerged from the sea its 

 destruction would still further add material to the depressed side. 

 If the faulting began after the emergence of Utica or Lorraine beds 

 the lower side would also be subject to erosion but the higher side 

 would be worn away the more rapidly. 



To the reader it may seem that our attempt at an explanation has 

 only increased his difficulty for we have implied that not only was 

 the present Bluff Point surface once covered by beds of Upper 

 Chazy, Lowville, Black River and Trenton ages (which together 

 might measure some iooo feet or more in thickness) but we have 

 added thereto some 1500 to 2000 feet or more of Utica anc 



