60 ON THE FORMATION OF MURAL CLIFFS. 



cavates the softer stratum at the base of the cliff, 

 and the superincumbent rock, being left unsupported, 

 gives way. 



Now, might not this inroad of the sea upon the 

 dry land be prevented, and that, too, at a trivial 

 cost, by building up with concrete masonry the ex- 

 cavated part of the stratum at the base of the cliff, 

 which is often not more than one or two inches in 

 thickness ? and thus the further abrasion of the 

 softer stratum, upon which the cliff is recumbent, 

 would be kept in abeyance, and the further en- 

 croachment of the sea effectually prevented. 



93. A mural cliff of sandstone occurs upon the 

 sea-coast near the city of St. Andrew's. The cliff 

 extends from the baths of that city westward, and 

 rests upon a thin stratum of coal. The sea exca- 

 vates the coal at the base of the cliff, and the super- 

 incumbent rock gives way. It is said, that at one 

 period the sea made such rapid encroachments at 

 this place that the inhabitants contemplated the 

 construction of a breakwater, with a view to the 

 protection of the cliff. Now, might not the further 

 demolition of the rock be easily and effectually pre- 

 vented by building up, with solid masonry, the ex- 

 posed part of the coal-bed, which is not more, as 

 far as my recollection goes, now fifty years ago, 



