406 Geology of 



Tablb IV. 



In order to prove that the larger the river, the greater its power of 

 scouring its channel, and consequently of lowering its "bed, the following 

 data will not he superfluous. The rivers follow according to their 

 volume. 



Eivers falling per mile, in feet : — 



"Waitaki. Kakaia. TTaimakariri. Kangitata. Ashburton. 



From sources to sea ... 21 39* 44f 50 72 

 From beginning of plains 



to sea 23 23* 28 37 39f 



Table V. 



The following data will show the difference in the fall of the post- 

 pliocene rivers, from the beginning of the plains at the foot of the 

 mountains to the sea, for the calculation of which the surface of the 

 Canterbury Plains offers us the necessary data : — 



Kakaia, 39*. Waimakariri, 36. KaDgitata, 45. Ashburton, 42*. 



