540 GEOLOGICAL MEMOIRS. 



the spot itself it is difficult to tell where to place the barometer, 

 unless some tree, rock, or tuft of grass has been observed and 

 noted from a distance. 



In the Leeredfjord the line is marked at the northern extremity 

 of a little bay by a very distinct horizontal platform, and beyond, 

 on the rocky crags of Quasnklubb, as a line of erosion presenting an 

 admirable example of the ancient line of contact of land and water. 

 The two stages of elevation are neatly denned at the lower part of 

 the conical mass of this mountain, appearing as two dark stripes 

 parallel to the shore, and even the inhabitants perceive that the 

 bands are evidences of the former existence of the sea at these 

 elevations. The erosive force of the water has been very energetic 

 at this place, the worn rocks and deep caverns which are seen on 

 the spot leaving much room for doubt as to the exact point at 

 which the barometer should be suspended if we have not before- 

 hand taken care to note it. 



The second line is distinctly traceable parallel to the present 

 coast all round the Komagfjord, and the inhabitants of the shore 

 avail themselves of it in fencing their meadows, the fringe of land 

 between it and the sea being green and more fertile than the land 

 beyond, owing, no doubt, to its more gentle slope, and a more 

 recent existence in the condition of the sea bottom. 



In the island of Seiland, north of Alten fjord, these lines of 

 ancient level do not seem to be traceable on the northern side of 

 Vargsund; but they appear on the western side of the island. 

 From Komagnges they may be observed on the opposite shore of 

 the island of Qualoe, and in this island they are also found in 

 Byp fjord, and again at the Langstrandnses in the Bay of Ham- 

 merfest, and on the border of the lake near the town, and lastly, 

 on the little steep islet of Hojoe, which, notwithstanding its small 

 extent, attains a height of from 150 to 200 metres. 



The mean of observations made at the two spots, viz. the west- 

 ern shore of Seiland, and the island of Qualoe, give the altitudes 

 42'65 m and 28*6 m respectively for the higher, and 166 m and 

 4*l m for the lower level. They are important as showing the 

 gradual diminution of the elevation in this direction. 



Following these lines in the island of Qualoe towards Hammer- 

 fest, we find the upper one traceable first as a small horizontal 

 platform, and then as a line of erosion, but at last is only indicated 

 by worn rocks which require to be carefully examined to avoid 

 the chance of error. Around the little lake of Hammerfest, the 

 elevation of which above the sea level is only 5*46 m , it appears as 

 an almost horizontal bank, and at one point presents itself as a 

 terrace probably composed of transported matter. The lower line 

 is also traceable with tolerable distinctness. 



In order now to bring together into one group the phenomena 

 recorded, let us connect our hypsometrical observations with re- 

 ference to the following points : — 1 . The southern part of the 

 Alten fjord. 2. Krognass and Talvig. 3. Komag fjord. 4. 

 Leeren fjord as far as Quaenklubb. 5. The western part of the 



