140 



G. M. DAWSON — COASTS OF BERING SEA AND VICINITY 



have been lost in consequence of the breaking up of the original rocky 

 surface. The im2)ression conveyed was, however, that this condition of 

 the surface was of ancient date and had been preserved because of the 

 exemption of the region from the effect of glaciating agents. Some stones 

 were found on the present beach which did not appear to belong to the 

 actual vicinity, but if transported from any distance the abundance of 

 fioe-ice known to occur in these seas in winter is quite sufficient to ac- 

 count for this. Nothing whatever was found to favor the theory of an 

 " oversweeping glacier," the supposed action of which has been particu- 

 larly illustrated by Mr John Muir from the contours of hills and cliffs 

 on this island.* 



The level contour of the plateau suggests that it may represent an 

 ancient plane of marine denudation or peneplain. On the east side of 

 the cape a fairly distinct terrace occurs at a height of about fifty feet 

 above the sea. This has been cut back in the granitic rocks as a narrow 

 step, which is now encumbered with broken blocks from the old sea- 

 cliff above. 



Terrace coverei:l ^, 

 witIt^alle?iroc/cs. ^^^r/. 



Sea J^evel. 



Fi(iURE 1 .—Diagramatic Section of the east Side of Cape Chibukak, Saint Lawrence Island. 



Views of the island as a whole, from cape Chibukuk, and also from 

 the sea to the westward with a remarkably clear atmosphere, failed to 

 disclose any distinct volcanic cones or craters, but as both Captain 

 Hooper and Mr Muir speak very positively of the existence of such 

 cones on the island, it is probable that they are to be found in its cen- 

 tral or eastern parts. f 



The surface of the island, so far as seen, consists wholly of barren 

 moorland, with grass and moss and often rock. There are no trees, and 

 large masses of snow were found in some places along the bases of the 

 cliffs and down to the level of the sea. 



Plover Bay. 



From Saint Lawrence island we crossed to the Siberian coast at Plover 

 bay, so named because H. M. S. Plover, Captain Moore, wintered there 



* Report of the cruise of the Corwin, 1881, pp. 137-140. 

 t Ibid., pp. 33, 140. 



