J. R. DnJii/iis — Uigh-levcl Terraces in Norway. 
73 
with for so long a time that I gave up the i Jea of sending my notice 
to tlie press. I am now induced to do so, because I see that tlie 
subject of the parallel roads of Glenroy still occupies the attention 
of geologists, and it may induce some one next summer to examine 
minntely the Do vre terraces and sand-heaps and their relation to the 
physical geography of the district. I was merely able to make a 
flying visit to them, which I delayed my party to do, because they 
caught my eye so forcibly, as we were driving along the valley. 
The papers in “ Scientific Opinion/’ which I have since seen, do 
not deal with high-level terraces such as those above Dovre. 
It is well-known that Norway has risen above the sea-level to the 
extent of 500 or 600 1 feet within comparatively recent times. This 
is known from two kinds of evidence, that of marine Shells, and that 
of raised beaches, terraces, and sea-inarks. Marine Shells of recent 
species have been found at a height of 470 feet (? Norwegian) ac- 
cording to Kjerulf. 2 As to the other kind of evidence, it is to be 
metwith universally. At the head of every fjord a series of terraces 
of sarnl and gravel is to be seen, sometimes more, sometimes less 
numerous, lining the side of the dales, and corresponding with 
distinct lines of old wave-action, which can be traced for miles 
running along the mountain-sides above tbe sea. These terraces 
were clearly formed in the same manner as the present delta of sand 
and gravel, which is now forming at the head of every fjord, and 
which another rise of the land would convert into a similar terrace. 
Such terraces are more or less numerous according to the 
accidents of denudation ; each separate terrace marking at least one 
step and pause in the elevation of the land. I made this year 
(1872) various barometric observations of the height of the best- 
marked of these terraces. There is one at Söholt, on the Stör Fjord, 
about 180 feet above the sea-level ; one at Hellesylt, on the same 
fjord, 270 feet above the sea-level, — this is a very well marked one. 
A large and well-marked terrace at Odde, on the Hardanger Fjord, 
is between 200 and 300 feet high. At Sogndal the highest flat is 
460 feet above the sea, but no section of sand or gravel was to be 
seen, the solid rock showing at the surface. The highest terrace of 
sand and gravel is 374 feet above the sea. Above this level the 
solid rock shows, though the level step at 460 feet looks like an 
old sea- m argin. 
The above heights of course are mere rough approximations ; but 
there is no doubt that the terraces in tjords show an elevation of 
about 400 feet, and that corresponding sea-margins can be traced 
outside the limits of the dales above the sea itself. 
The Norwegian geologists do not admit a greater elevation of the 
country than to the extent of 500 or 600 feet, because they have 
not found any marine shells above that height. In the year 1869 
I noticed several well-marked sea-margins on the Norwegian coast 
in the neighbourhood of Tromsoe, and my impression is that the 
1 Sir C. Lyell says 700, “ Principles,” llth ed. p. 133. 
2 Kjerulf says in his “ Jagttagelser over den Postpliocene eller glaciale formation, 
Universitats-program for forste halvaar,” that marine shells have been found up to 
470 feet above the sea-level. 
