CHAPTER XII

THE LIFE HISTORIES OF RIVERS

The intricate pattern of river etchings—The motive power of rivers—Old land and new land—The earlier aspects of rivers—The meshes of the river network—The upper and lower reaches of a river contrasted—The balance between degradation and aggradation—The accordance of tributary valleys—The grading of the flood plain—The cycles of stream meanders—The cut-off of the meander—Meander scars—River terraces—The delta of the river—The levee—The sections of delta deposits 158