Science, Geologv and Physics 



Hall, JAMES. Note [on recession of Niagara Falls.] (Proc. A. A. 1856 

 A. S. (Aug. 1856.) 1857. 10: P t. 2, 76-78.) Hall 



Professor Hall's note is appended to the letter of Professor Gibbes, 

 with his review of Professor Gibbes's theories. 



1857 



BAKEWELL, R. Observations on the Falls of Niagara, with reference 1857 

 to the changes which have taken place and are now in progress. (Am. Bakewell 

 jour, sci., 1857. 73:85-95.) 



The author visited the Falls in the years 1 829, 1 846, 1 85 1 , and 

 1856 and made many sketches at different intervals. Changes which he 

 observed convinced him that there was a slow onward retrocession of the 

 Falls and that the cataract had once poured over the precipice at Lewiston. 

 He gives facts to show " that the probabilities are, that the American 

 Fall is comparatively a recent diversion from the main channel." By 

 reference to his sketches he shows " that there is a gradual and per- 

 ceptible change going on, drawing the waters from the Canada to the 

 American side, or rather, to the center of the fall." 



GlBBES, L. R. On some points which have been overlooked in the 1857 

 past and present condition of Niagara Falls. Charleston: 1857. Gibbes 



This paper is printed in the Proceedings of the Elliot Society of 

 Natural History of Charleston, S. C, volume I, pp. 91-100. The 

 author discusses the rate of recession of the two falls. He does not believe 

 it possible to estimate closely the rate of recession, but seeks to prove that 

 the recession of " the Canadian Fall is not less than fifteen times greater 

 than that of the American Fall, in the same time," and, " that it is 

 probable that the ratio of recession in the two Falls is greater than that of 

 their volumes of water." 



1859 



Ramsay, Sir Andrew C. On some of the glacial phaenomena of i859 

 Canada and the northeastern provinces of the United States during the Ramsay 

 drift period. (Proc. Geol. Soc. of London. Quarterly jour. 1859. 

 15:200-215.) 



This paper, which was read May 12, 1858, discusses the probable 

 date of the origin of Niagara Falls and the drift and other late tertiary 

 deposits. The author feels that possibly " the approximate period of 

 35,000 years given by Sir Charles Lyell for the erosion of the gorge 



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