Page:Transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute (IA transactionsproc41newz).pdf/53

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ALTHOUGH almost all proofs of glaciation are frequently net with in New Zealand, it is remarkable that the discovery of ice-striated stoncs has been seldoin recorded. In 1904 Mr. E. G. Howy recorded his discovery of striatod stones at Lake Wakatipu. The St. Beruzurd Saddle is really the terminal moraine of an old glacier which came down the valley of the Bealey over the Goldney Saddle and rounded the hill west of the Cass River, In the surround- ing country bears unmistakable evidence of baving been subjected to glaciation, for small lakes, roches moutonnées, noraines, and glacier- terraces are to be seen on every hand. Probably the most remarkable feature to be seen from the Saddlo is a series of glacier-terraces high up on the slope of the hill to the riglit; all are parallel and nip slightly to the south, thus showing the direction of the glacier's motion. The St. Bernard Saddle, which is the most characteristic moraine, is well exposed in section in a great many railway.cuttings, shingle-pits, and road-cuttings. A typical sectiont shows that this morainic débris has been assorted by the action of streams flowing from the glacier, for the current-bedeling is well iefined. The angular nature of the boulders, however, shows that they cannot have been carried far by streams. A careful search among the stones thrown to the sides of the cuttings reveals many good speci- mens of striated stones of all sizes. They are usually composed of greywacke, but sometiines they are coniposed of blue slate. They possess a characteristic oval or round shape with parallel striæ, and this is decisivc proof of the nature of their origin. The late Captain Hutton once expressed the opinion that few swiated stones would be found in Canterbury; but the openiny-up of the shingle-pits and cuttings at the St. Bernard Savidle has exposed many good specimens. These stones are an additional proof of the former glaciation of the Upper Waimakariri Valley, Sce Plate ! 2-Trans.
 * Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxvii, 1904, p. 426.