THE STORY THE SEA TOLD 151 



slimy, mud-flats may be exposed between the 

 tides. 



In each and every case, however, the effect 

 of the sea is plainly seen. The bases and faces 

 of the rocky cliffs are worn, broken and carved 

 by the beating of the waves ; the sand is pound- 

 ed firm and compact by the sea and its shore- 

 ward limit is marked by low ridges or hills 

 of loose, drifting sand and coarse sedge and 

 grass. Everywhere upon the surface of the 

 sand-beaches and mud-flats are the irregular, 

 wavy lines that mark the lapping edges of re- 

 ceding waves, while, zigzagging over them, 

 are the trails left by crawling snails, scurry- 

 ing crabs and other creatures. If we should 

 dig into the sand and mud we would find 

 countless creatures living in holes, while dead 

 shells, crabs and other hard-shelled creatures 

 lie about in profusion. Even if the sea itself 

 was nowhere in sight you would know you 

 were on the seashore by these infallible signs 

 and even under the cliffs, or upon the rock- 

 strewn parts of the shore, you would recognise 

 the presence of the sea by the wave-worn 

 rocks, the rounded stones and pebbles and the 



