I30 A SUMMER'S CRUISE TO NORTHERN LABRADOR. 



are quite distinct, was built on a broad terrace not far 

 above the sea. On the mainland, north a little east, are 

 three beaches with two terraces, which were beautifully- 

 marked, and corresponded with the two lower terraces 

 at our feet, though covered with the rich deep green 

 of the Empetrum leaves. Pitt's Arm and Chateau Bay 

 are also terraced, the beaches themselves of unequal size 

 and height, but the terraces, as we should expect, are of 

 even height throughout, as they mark the former level 

 of the sea. One of the beaches on Chateau Bay was 

 remarkably steep, composed of large, sea-worn bowlders, 

 and overhanging like a precipice the winter houses below. 

 Indeed, all along the Strait of Belle Isle from the Meca- 

 tinas to this point, wherever there is sand, gravel, or 

 bowlders, the sea has, when at higher levels, rearranged 

 and sorted them into terraced beaches or sea-margins. 

 The future geologist who visits this coast will have an 

 interesting task in measuring the heights of these ter- 

 races and comparing them with those of Northern Lab- 

 rador, of Arctic America, of Greenland, and northern 

 Europe. These beaches are also seen in inland river- 

 courses, and by every pond and lake ; they are not, as 

 along the coast of Maine and Massachusetts, concealed 

 by vegetation, bushes or forest growths ; but here, owing 

 to the absence of bushes and trees, they were as distinct 

 as if the Labrador peninsula had been upheaved but a 

 year ago. Darwin has studied the formation of the ter- 

 races along the coast of South America, where the ele- 

 vating forces were undoubtedly volcanic, but the nature 

 of the causes which in the northern hemisphere have re- 

 constructed by the French Canadians, by whom it was abandoned in 1753 ; 

 another author states that it was built by the Acadians. 



