86 The American Geologist. Feb. lsei 
lirss of being in the right, memory of loved oues at home, 
gallantry of companions, hope of victory, pride, ambition, etc., 
bul in a seven' earthquake there is experienced an absolute isola- 
tion and consciousness of the inability of any person or thing to 
assist, or to help out of the difficulty ; as you move your foot 
forward and downard, for a secure resting place, it goes on, down 
and down, until suddenly and roughly arrested by a strong, un- 
seen, approaching force ; as the eyes look out for information they 
see everything in a disturbed condition, apparently hopeless and 
in helpless attitudes. Therefore, earthquake phenomena are 
difficult to study ; stoical persons observe only what their pre- 
viously determined opinions dictate, and nervous people see myth- 
ical wonders innumerable and indescribable. 
There accompanied me during the man}' days we were engaged 
in the examination herein related, at my request, Prof. Senor Don 
Alberto (jramez, Physical Science and Chemistry, Institute* 
Nacional de Oriente, Granada; Prof. Santiago Ordozgoite, Mathe- 
matics, Institute Nacional de Oriente, Granada ; also Mr. S. II. 
Young, of Philadelphia, Pa., resident in Granada, whose knowledge 
of the country roads, acquaintance with people in the Haciendas, and 
quick observation and practical way of criticising what we saw 
and heard, were of great assistance to us; also, Mr. I. L. Sulli- 
van, of Philadelphia, Pa., resident in Granada, an educated mechan- 
ical engineer familiar with mechanical laws and forces. His obser- 
vations and photographs and diagrams were of much assistance 
Managua, Nicaragua, Sept. 27, 1890, 
ORIGIN OF THE BASINS OF THE GREAT LAKES 
OF AMERICA. 
By J. W. Spenceb, M. A., Ph. D., F.G. >.. Atlanta. 
Contents. 
1. Introduction. 7. GMaciation of the region. 
■2. Features of the Ontario basin. 8. Former high continental elevation 
3. Features of the Erie basin. <>f North. America. 
4. Features of the Huron basin. •■). Deformation of raised shores and 
5. Features of lake Michigan. beaches. 
Buried valleys revealed byiborings. 10. Conclusions from the observations, 
1. Introduction. 
Even as recent as a decade ago very little was known as to the 
origin of the great lakes of North America. Whilst we find such 
generalized statements as -most lakes are due to terrestrial crust- 
*From the Quarterlv Journal of the Geological Society, Nov. 1890, 
Vol. XL VI. 
