HOPKINS ON THE LAKE DISTRICT. 87 
by aqueous agencies. In fact, the inspection of a model in which 
heights and distances are on the same scale (like that already alluded 
to of Mr. Flintoft’s), must make it apparent that the actual widths 
of the valleys in question could not possibly be derived from the frac- 
tures in which we may conceive them to have originated. Part of 
the masses which once occupied them may have disappeared by sub- 
sidence, as in the formation of the existing lakes; but that such has 
been the case in any considerable proportion is extremely improbable 
in all cases, and in some demonstrably absurd. Any satisfactory 
theory, therefore, of the distribution of detritus around the Cumbrian 
mountains must also account for the formation of the great valleys of 
that district. 
I now proceed to make some observations on the theories which 
have been propounded on this subject—the glacial, the diluvial, and 
the iceberg theories—as regards their applicability to the case before 
us. I shall avail myself of the opportunity of giving further de- 
velopments and a more determinate character to the diluvial theory 
than it has hitherto received. With respect to the glacial theory, it 
must be expressly understood that I shall speak of glaciers only as a 
means for the wide and distant dispersion of blocks and detritus, 
without entermg at all into the question of their possible former 
existence in the recesses of the more elevated regions of the Cumbrian 
mountains. 
§ Glacial Theory. 
18. A few observations only will be necessary on this branch of 
our subject. I shall at once assume the former existence of a great 
glacier filling the valley of the Kden after descending in different 
branches from the more elevated parts of the Lake district and the 
contiguous portion of the Penine chain, and proceed to consider its 
probable course. Part of its sources must have existed on the hills 
surrounding Kirkby Stephen, 7. e. on Stainmoor Fell, Bow Fell, How- 
gil Fell, and the mtermediate eminences. Small lateral feeders 
must have descended from the Cross Fell range on the east, and 
large tributaries must be supposed to have descended along the 
valleys from the central group of the Cumberland mountains on the 
west. According to the existing configuration of the surface, we may 
conceive a glacier proceeding from the granitic region of Shap Fell 
along the valley between Orton and Howgil Fells, and debouching 
to the south of Kirkby Stephen. There it would be met by another 
large glacier descending between Millerstang and the lofty Fells on 
the east of it. From the poimt of junction the whole glacier must 
necessarily have descended along the valley of the Eden, as the di- 
rection of greatest descent, and that of least resistance from opposing 
obstacles. Under these circumstances, any one who has watched the 
course of a glacier composed of several tributary ones, and observed 
the manner in which each component glacier preserves its own iden- 
tity in the compound one, will at once recognize the extreme difficulty 
of conceiving how the moraines of the Shap Fell glacier could pass 
over to Staimmoor, from which it would necessarily be separated by 
