62 



between it and the underlying ledge. Several j'cars since 

 Prof. Agassiz visited this hill and was much interested in 

 this particular rock ; and on the occasion of a field meet- 

 ing of the Essex Institute in this town durius: October, 

 1874, several members visited the boulder and named it 

 "Agassiz Rock," in commemoration of that distinguished 

 naturalist. Some went to Kettle Cove to cxamino two 

 interesting and remarkable .natural curiosities located in 

 its vicinity, just Avitliin the limits of Gloucester. One of 

 .these, a large fissure in the rocks on the seacoast, through 

 avhich the ocean thunders and tosses its spray, known 

 iis "Rafe's Chasm." The name is said to be derived from 

 a man named Ralph, who resided near by. Its length 

 forms a right angle with the shore, from which it extends 

 more than two hundred feet. The other is "Norman's 

 Woe," a laige rock lying a few rods from the shore and 

 connected with it by a reef of stones which the sea leaves 

 bare at low tide. Longfellow, in "The Wreck of the 

 Hesperus," has alluded to this rock and given it a kind 

 of innnortality. Eagle Head, and sevei'al of the fine 

 beaches, including the "musical sands," which arc situated 

 on part of what is known as "Old Neck Beach," or 

 "jNIiisical Beach," and arc alluded to in a notice of the 

 meeting on Thursday, August 2, 1866,^ were visited. 

 This rocky coast is relieved by several of these beautiful 

 beaches, especially at some of the inlets or coves which 

 indent the coast and add greatly to the attractiveness of 

 this town for summer residents. Everywhere the land- 

 scape is must picturesque and varied. The woods, in- 

 tersected by numerous brooks and rivulets, offer many 

 inducements to the botanist to make exi)lorations, and bo 

 sure of a reward for his toil in the obtaining choice speci- 



2 See Proceedings oi Essex Institute, Vol. V, page 57. 



