84 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the low rocky island in front of Odde shows that it cannot have 

 advanced further. 



The Author concluded that at no period within geologically recent, 

 say Tertiary times, has ice extended much further than at present. 

 Seeing that the morainic matter now in the valleys has been derived 

 from the hills, there must formerly have been a greater extent of land 

 above the snow-line, and this would cause a former extension of 

 glaciers without resort to any extraneous theory or change of cli- 

 mate. The Great Ice Age has left no trace on the Norwegian 

 western littoral. 



Discussion. 



Prof. Geikie said he had visited the country, and had come to 

 precisely opposite conclusions to the writer. It appeared to him 

 that from the outer islands up to the higher mountains the lower 

 grounds have been buried under a thick sheet of ice. Occasionally 

 the higher parts of the sides of fjords are weathered, and the marks 

 of glaciation have disappeared, whilst these marks are still distinct 

 at lower levels. 



Mr. Blanfokd asked if Mr. Stanley had seen Christiania Fjord, and 

 remarked that, as clear evidence of glaciation on a large scale was 

 found in Southern Norway, the coast at a more northern latitude 

 could scarcely have been free from ice-action. 



Col. McMahon remarked on the extent to which rocks are worn 

 away and a rough surface given to rocks by severe frosts, as shown 

 in the Himalayas. 



Mr. Stanley said the glaciation was peculiarly distinct in the 

 heads of the valleys, where the granite has retained the polished 

 surface left by the glaciers. The extraordinary fact was that rocks 

 of grey granite close to the sea should be so sharp as they are if ice 

 had gone over them, for instance the so-called " shark's teeth " 

 of the Lofoten Islands. The fact that the Stor Fjord was deeper 

 than the ocean between England and Norway was also opposed to 

 the idea of ice having cut the valley. 



The following specimens were exhibited : — 



Specimens of Romsdal Gneiss, exhibited by "W. F. Stanley, Esq., 

 F.G.S., in illustration of his paper. 



