GLACIATION OF THE HIGH MOUNTAINS 437 



have been from a lower point. To the north of Ktaadn there are meta- 

 morphic and stratified rocks similar to these, and the origin of the frag- 

 ments is naturally inferred to be from that source. 



It seems hardly necessary at the present time to state the reason for 

 assuming a northern origin rather than some other; yet since there are 

 some who might perhaps suggest that Ktaadn was glaciated from the 

 high mountains of northern New Hampshire, a word may be said on 

 this point. The White mountains are the only other highland in New 

 England from which glaciers could originate that could cover Ktaadn ; 

 but this source is proved to be impossible by the strise and by the shape 

 of the glaciated hills, all of which point to a north-south movement of 

 the ice. 



From this study it is proved that even Ktaadn did not rise above the 

 glacier during its maximum extent, as has been assumed. The reasons 

 for the belief that Ktaadn reached above the ice have been, first, the 

 authority of previous observers, who have not discovered transported 

 fragments upon the highest points, and, secondly, the marked angularity 

 and ruggedness of portions of the crest of mount Ktaadn, especially that 

 between South peak and Pamola. 



The discovery of foreign fragments on the highest point settles the 

 question as to the ice covering, but a further word concerning angularity 

 of mountain crests may not be out of place. The angular, rugged part 

 of Ktaadn is not only above the zone of trees, but its topography is 

 such as to permit rapid disintegration. It is really a ridge, in places 

 so narrow that when the wind blows strongly, people who have crossed 

 from South peak to Pamola have been known to crawl on their hands 

 and knees. Under such conditions frost action works rapidly, since the 

 fragments loosened are quickly removed by wind or water, and the break- 

 ing up of the granite naturally produces a ruggedness of the surface. 



Another reason for the ruggedness is the fact that this part of the moun- 

 tain was somewhat protected from ice action by the barrier of the North 

 and South peaks, so that it did not receive much scouring and rounding. 

 Indeed the entire crest of Ktaadn could not have been greatly eroded, 

 because it rose high up into the ice above the zone of maximum ice ero- 

 sion. Doubtless the glacial currents swept around Ktaadn, as we know 

 that they do around partially and completely buried nunataks in the 

 Greenland glacier. Moreover, these high points have been long exposed, 

 having for a while projected as nunataks above the surface of the sur- 

 rounding ice-sheet, so that weathering and erosion have been able to 

 produce much more distinct effects than on the lower mountains, which 

 were covered by the ice for a longer time, and most of which are now pro- 

 tected by a timber cover. 



