• 42 -A. Winchell on 'Pressure of a Continental Glacier. 
the glacier and dissolve it more or less rapidly. On coasts 
where the glacier's motion was inconsiderable, the action of the 
sea maintained a bare shore line; and beach history was re- 
corded as if the interior had not been ice-covered. The most 
important records would consist of beaches. The gulf of St. 
Lawrence, along the south shore, would have been kej)t free 
from ice, and a succession of beaches would record the succes- 
sive stages of sea-level. Thus genereally, on shores trending 
meridionally, and more especially on southern shores, a series 
of beaches would be formed, while probably northern shores^ 
through the constant encroachment of the glacier, might be 
kept completeh' concealed. The beaches formed during the 
progressive relative rise of the water would probably be oblit- 
erated, but, as usual, the beaches formed during the receding 
phase, would remain as records and evidences of the former 
submergence. 
The theory implies that the greatest crustal depression would 
be experienced northward; the depression would gradually di- 
minish southward. That is, the beaches northward would attain 
the highest elevations in relation to the preglacial level of the 
land. On the final dissolution of the continental glacier, and 
the restoration of the land to its former level, these bcacli- 
records would be found attaining progressively higher levels 
toward the north. The theory implies also that elevated 
beaches would be formed along all shores bordering glaciated 
lands — whether American, European or Asiatic. 
Now witness the facts. Inland beaches whose geological re- 
lations connect them with the last great events of the world's 
history are actually found along the Atlantic coast from New 
York to Labrador, and even to arctic latitudes. On the south- 
ern coast of New England ancient beaches are found from ten 
to twenty-five feet above present sea-level ; on Nantucket, 85 
feet; on the coast of Maine, 27 feet; on the borders of lake 
Champlain, — then apart of the gulf of St. Lawrence — -350 feet; 
at Montreal, 500 feet; on the Labrador coast, 500 to Soo feet; 
on the arctic shores, 1000 feet. Commander De Long found 
elevated beaches on Bennett island, at the altitude of feet. 
This theory further implies that the formation of the beaches 
was synchronous with the prevalence of wide glaciation. The 
