294 
Prof. Milne — A cross Europe and Asia. 
great natural revolution in tbe distribution of land and water, all of 
whicb would involve difficulties and controversy in tbeir explanation. 
How tbis universal sbeet of ice obtained, and afterwards deposited, 
its boulders, ruigbt next be questioned. Some would call in a sea 
of icebergs to solve tbe problem, and might even go so far as to 
consider them sufficient to explain tlie wbole of the phenomena in 
question. Following tbis latter supposition we are again quickly in 
the midst of difficulties, passing from question to question wbilst 
endeavouring to affirm or refute a Suggestion tbat is little better 
tban proofless. 
Icebergs and tbeir parents, tbe glaciers, bave done and are still 
doing muck towards tbe formation of tbe physical outlines of our 
planet; but yet I tbink tbeir less imposing but more active and inore 
extensive associate, coast ice, ougbt at least to take an equal place 
as a scatterer and modeller of rocks. 
In Finland, in Labrador, and in Newfoundland, I bave seen the 
work it has commenced on, tbat wbicb it bas partially finisked, and 
tbat wbich, I hold, it bas completed. Tbere is the sunken rock 
barely to be seen at low water, just being rounded ; there is tbe rock 
standing up above bigb- water, wbitened, smoothed and rounded, by 
tbe annual coat of ice, whicb by winds and tides is forced across its 
back ; and, lastly, tbere is tbe large island and the mainland all 
sbowing a contiuuous and unbroken contour from tbeir shores 
annually invaded by the ice, and tbose parts wbicb are now removed 
bigb above its action. Upon tbe soutli coast of Finland one is in a 
worksbop wkere one sees a workman busy with bis tools. Part of 
bis work is only commenced, part is almost completed, wbilst tbe 
remainder is finisked and laid aside. Amongst all these specimens 
of work there is a resemblance, and it is kardly fair to imagine tbat 
one part sbould bave been made in a manner different to anotker. 
Let tbe wbole of tbe Finnisb archipelago continue slowly rising 
above tbe level of the sea as it now appears to be doing, I tbink 
tbat in time to come tbere will be prodnced a low undulating ice- 
scratched boulder-covered country, very muck resembling tbe one 
we see upon the adjoining mainland. 
One striking instance of tbe formation of a miniature mainland I 
noticed sbortly after leaving Abo, wken we passed a low island about 
50 to 100 yards in lengtb. At each extremity of tbe island there 
was a round ice-scratcked knoll. These two knolls were joined by 
two narrow ridges, between wbicb tbere was a bollow, over into 
wbicb tbe sea liad wasbed to form a pool. Tbe bistory of tbis little 
formation seemed to me similar to tbat of many larger areas. 
Tbe first stage was wben tbe two knolls kad been represented by 
two sunken rocks, over wbicb tbe waves might have been seen 
heaving and swelling as tliey passed across tbeir surface. Tbus far 
tbeir existence was only recognized by tbe disturbance they created. 
Ilowever, tbe nuclei of a little continent was formed, and its surface 
was annually swept by ice. Tbe next stage was when the knolls 
appeared as two separate rocks above tbe surface of tbe water, tbe 
intervening ridge being still hidden ; a position analogous to tbe 
