262 R. T. HILL — PELE AND THE WINDWARD ARCHIPELAGO 



Thus we see in the configuration of these islands the evidence of the 

 great constructive processes in nature, volcanic pile-up, atmospheric and 

 marine degradation, and simple lift-up and subsidence resulting from 

 the mysterious and unexplained up-and-down regional movements of 

 the earth's crust. 



Submarine configuration. — The study of ocean floors is an enchanting 

 subject, which, notwithstanding long contemplation, often results in the 

 conclusion that beneath the veil of water there is concealed a physiography 

 almost beyond our ken. Nevertheless, there are some features apparent 

 in the submarine topography of the American Mediterranean. 



We may conclude from what we know of the geology of the adjacent 

 lands that the great Sigsbee Deep is merely the bottom of the basin-like 

 cul-de-sac of the gulf of Mexico, while the narrow valley deeps of the 

 Bartlett and Anegada type certainly suggest relationship to the adjacent 

 Antillean folded land ridges. The narrow submarine ridges between 

 Mole Saint Nicholas (Haiti) and cape Maisi (Cuba), Tiburon peninsula 

 (Haiti) and Jamaica, cape Engano (Santo Domingo) and Porto Rico, 

 represent the continuation of the folded mountainous ridges of the great 

 Antilles, of which the eastward extending Virgin islands, rising from a 

 common hundred-fathom bank, are also a continuation. When we seek 

 to proceed farther, however, without presentation of data, there is great 

 danger of becoming involved in erroneous deduction, and this is espe- 

 cially true of the bottoms adjacent to the Windward islands. 



By carefully compiling and contouring the known soundings adjacent 

 to the Windward islands a conception of the submarine topography 

 may be obtained (see plate 43). This shows that the Windward area 

 consists not only of the present islands appearing above the water, but 

 certain extensive shallow submarine banks, very suggestive of former 

 islands which have lost their land surface either through planation or 

 subsidence. 



Certain slopes and troughs may be made out here and there which 

 throw some light on the former relations and lack of relations of the 

 various islands and banks, but in general this submarine configuration 

 shows the circular forms, steep slopes, and coalescing bases of volcanic 

 piles in continuation of the profiles of the projecting islands. 



Inasmuch as this submarine configuration has been used as an argu- 

 ment on which to base the supposed existence of a former continental 

 connection — the supposed Antillian bridge — let us consider for a mo- 

 ment what connections could occur in the configuration should the rela- 

 tive position of the sea or land level be changed. The 100-fathom line 

 connects many of the island,s in groups showing natural relation, and 

 this contour alone suggests what may have formerly been connections 



