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68 THROUGH NORWAY WITII A KNAPSACK.
sink to the bottom, the larger first, and so on ; and
the river issues from the other end clear and refreshed,
ready to resume its levelling labours lower down.
By such a process of deposition are these wide valleys
gradually filled up, and then the river flows gently in
a long winding course through the rich territory of its
own depositing; like an old man calmly enjoying the
fruits of his early toil, and contemplating the good
deeds of his youth : for the youthful river, in the
brawling early days of its mountain life, is doing mighty
service to the world in thus converting desolation into
fertility. Nearly all the fertile plains of the earth
have been created thus by the industry of rivers.
There is yet another kind of valley, partaking of the
characters of both of the above: a Ions; trough-like
CD O
valley formed by the mountain sides, but which widens
as it proceeds downwards, and branches into the great
valley of the sea. The waters of the sea fill its lower
part, and an estuary, firth, or fiord, is formed. These,
in like manner, are continually being filled up by the
rivers which come to rest in the waters of the sea,
and deposit their burdens there. Thus Holland, the
masterpiece and last labour of the Rhine, has been
formed.
The Gula, into whose valley T now descend, presents
some interesting illustrations of these river agencies,
and a problem to boot. The mounds and knolls, that
appeared so complex from above, are seen from below
to be formed by the river cutting its way down to
a great depth through the alluvium it has deposited.
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