The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XVI, No. 6 [‎381r] (114/232)

THE MONTHLY RECORD.
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contain large beds of iron ore, similar to that of the south of Lake Superioi.
Observations on the drift and glacial striai near Moose river tended to show that
the source of the diamond-bearing drift of Wisconsin and Michigan may be in the
Hudson bay region. The peninsula of Labrador was once completely covered with
ice, the centre of dispersion lying first in the southern, afterwards in the northern
interior. The land has risen at least 700 feet since glacial times, though no
appreciable rise seems going on at present.
Glaciers of British Columbia—Two papers have recently been published
in the ‘Proceedings’ of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia on the
subject of glaciers in British Columbia, by Messrs. George and William S. Yaux,
junr., with map and illustrations. These papers embody the results of several
visits more particularly to the Illecellewaet glacier, which is dealt with at some
length. It is pointed out that greater glacier development occurs in the eastern or
inner ranges of the Rocky mountains, these being the highest and most rugged;
so that cooling takes place more quickly than elsewhere, and the precipitation is
very rapid. The Great or Illecellewaet glacier is situated within a short distance
of Glacier House, in the heart of the Selkirk range. The immense neve which
feeds it lies on the top of the range forming the divide, and from it several
branches flow down into as many valleys. The Great glacier is notable for its
freedom from dirt at its foot, and the remarkable rapidity of the ice-fall. . Measure
ments of the rate of flow were determined at nine points on the glacier during
1899, and show a marked decrease as compared with the observations of the
Rev. W. S. Green in 1888. They demonstrate the more rapid motion of the
central portion of the glacier, and also that the ice on the convex side of the line of
flow moves faster than on the concave side. Measurements made in the autumn
of 1899 indicate a recession of but 16 feet for the year, as compared with 56 feet,
the average of the past eight years; and an average daily recession of but
inches, as compared with 8^ inches at the same period of the previous year. he
Asulkan glacier is situated at the head of the valley of the same name, about
4 miles distant from the Glacier House. Its neve is connected with that of the
Illecellewaet over the ridge which separates them. The two glaciers are said to
have^ at one time extended till they joined and flowed as a common ice stream-
The Asulkan glacier was visited in August, 1899, but no marked changes had
taken place in it during the year. The Victoria glacier, at the head of a 'e
Louise, Alberta, is apparently receding and contracting.
Physical Features of the Klondike Gold Fields.—The summary report of
the Geological Survey Department of Canada for 1899 includes two or three
separate reports, by observers in the field, which are of considerable geographical
interest. That by Mr. B. G. McConnell, describing his examination of the
auriferous portion of the Yukon district, which has also been issued as a separate
pamphlet, forms the clearest account which has yet been published of the structure
and physical features of the Klondike region. The pay-gravels hitherto discovered
lie almost exclusively within the area bounded by the Klondike river on the north,
the Yukon on the west, and the Indian river on the south. This may be described
as a high plateau cut in all directions by deep and wide branching valleys. I he
outlines are rounded, and the ridges, which radiate outwards from the Dome the
highest eminence in the district (4250 feet), have a fairly uniform elevation of about
1500 feet above the valleys. The latter are wide and flat-bottomed in their lower
parts, but narrow towards their heads into steep-sided gulches, which terminate
abruptly in cirque-like depressions cut into the sides of the ridges. The valley-
flats are marshy and partly wooded, the streams narrow, but rapid in their upper
courses. The Klondike itself is a large rapid stream, averaging about oO yards in