NATURE STUDY. 



PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE 



Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences. 



Vol. IV. September, 1903. No. 4. 



Bald Head Cliff. 



BY WILLIAM H. HUSE. 



Sojourners along the coast during the vacation season 

 have exceptional opportunities to study the work of the 

 waves in changing a coast line. Ceaselessly dashing 

 against rocky bluff and sandy beach, they wear away the 

 former and modify the latter. It is on the rocky cliff that 

 summer visitors love to sit and watch the spray as waves 

 loaded with sand or pebbles dash against the rocks again 

 and again and ever again, fit symbol of eternal force. They 

 are mills of the gods at work upon the shore line of the 

 continent. It is difficult to realize that the water is wear- 

 ing awa^^ the rock, but we know that during the ages that 

 the ocean waves have dashed against the ledge, the latter 

 has been worn down to the form and position in which we 

 now see it. 



The rock is full of joints and cracks from pressure or 

 contraction, and here the forces of nature find a foothold. 

 Frost may begin and make a crack larger. Then it is easy 

 for the waves to pound off fragments with a rock for a ham- 



