218 PHYSIOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF THE COASTAL PLAIN PROVINCE. 



low depressions are passed in succession. The wave-built terrace and the 

 wave-cut cliff are constant companions along the entire extent of the bodies 

 of tidal water. 



In addition to these features, bars and spits are frequently noticed. If 

 the present coast line were elevated slightly, the subaqueous platform which 

 is now building would appear as a well-defined terrace of variable width with 

 a surface either flat or gently sloping toward the deeper channels. This 

 surface would everywhere fringe the Atlantic and Bay shores, as well as 

 those of the estuaries. The sea cliff would at first be sharp and easily dis- 

 tinguished but with the lapse of time the less conspicuous portion would 

 gradually yield to the leveling influences of erosion and might finally dis- 

 appear altogether. Erosion would also destroy in a large measure the con- 

 tinuity of the terrace but as long as portions of it remained intact the old 

 surface could be reconstructed and the history of its origin determined. 



