208 HIDDEN BEAUTIES OF NATURE 



contact with Nature. In these countries there is 

 little to fear when we are seeking out some of 

 Nature's attractive secrets, and I know of no more 

 enjoyable way in which to spend a day's holiday 

 than by walking along a pebbly beach collecting 

 objects cast up by the sea, or searching for interesting 

 pebbles and fossils. 



Let us imagine ourselves at Folkestone, for in- 

 stance. The day is fine, and the tide is receding. 

 This is necessary, because at full tide the waves wash 

 against the chalk cliffs near Dover, and we should 

 be unable to proceed. In the neighbourhood of 

 cliffs that are not easily climbed it is always advis- 

 able to ascertain the time of full tide, so that a 

 sufficient margin be allowed for any proposed jour- 

 ney. We are about to walk to Dover along the 

 shore. 



In order to enjoy the ramble it will be necessary 

 to have a stone-cracking implement, a stone-cracking 

 propensity, a strong bag, a strong pair of boots, a 

 substantial lunch, and a moderate amount of ordinary 

 gumption. Some of these requisites will not need 

 any description, but in order to save disappointment, 

 a few words as to the ' implement ' will not be amiss. 

 Avoid the so-called geological hammer, which has a 

 square face and a long spike, mounted on a fragile 

 handle. The square end is not adapted to flint- 

 smashing, and the long point if used as a lever will 

 either break or cause the handle to give way. The 

 hammer should be solid steel, excepting, as a matter 



