SANDUSKY Bay AND CEDAR POINT 227 
were formed in the 19th century. The mode of formation is 
probably as follows: A great northeast storm occurring at a time 
of high water piles up the sand to a height which is beyond the 
reach of the ordinary storm or a great storm occurring when the 
water is not above its ordinary level. In the spring numerous 
seeds from the cottonwoods that grow in such profusion on the 
ridges farther west are wafted by the wind to the newly formed 
ridge or possibly cast upon it by the waves, after falling into the 
lake. Here they have sufficient moisture, yet the roots are never 
below water level. As they grow they help to hold the sand 
that is blown by the wind and other sand that may be tossed up 
by the waves of other great storms, so that their roots are soon 
deeply buried. The willows too send their seeds in good season 
to take possession of the new land but they cannot muster so 
L¥H 
MARBLE: 
HEAD 
; SPIT 
1S 
BuLLS 
13t 
CEDAR 
POINT 
Survey, 1807 \ Survey, 1849 
Alimon Ruggles War Dept. 
Map VIII. 
large a force as the cottonwoods and being unable to grow as fast 
are left in the shade, while the sand accumulates so fast that they 
cannot keep their heads above it. After the ridge reaches its 
full height seeds lodging on its surface cannot get moisture 
enough. So the cottonwoods are left in undisputed possession. 
When they have grown so large that birds frequent them or 
roost in their branches the seeds of poison ivy and other vines 
are dropped and germinate. The dead leaves begin to accumu- 
late over the sand and form a mulch. A few herbs spring up 
and help the vines to keep the dead leaves on the ridge. The 
wind brings keys of the white ash and birds drop seeds of red 
cedar and some of these find moisture enough to enable them to 
grow. 
