M NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



ments afford no shelter to the disturber, though 

 some are dragged into deeper water. Where the 

 slope is gradual, white arrays charge up the smooth 

 sands, each with equal velocity, and each with 

 equal failure. The long waves seek out every 



WHITE ARRAYS CHARGE UP THE SANDS. 



hollow ; but the rush changes to a glide, and 

 at last fades backward down the slope. Yet 

 all this strife is not quite vain : a few frag- 

 ments are chipped from the rocks ; a few 

 pebbles are crushed ; a little sand is wafted on 

 the changing tide. Thus the sea gathers down 



