366 ON ALLUVIAL FORMATIONS. 



diments being deposited on both sides of this open 

 fence, very solid fore-lands were there formed. In 1550, 

 they raised the dikes considerably higher, employing 

 wheelbarrows, the use of which was only then introdu- 

 ced. For this purpose, they much enlarged and deepen- 

 ed the interior canals, in order to obtain more earth, not 

 merely to add to the height of the dikes, but to extend 

 their base on the outer side. At last they began to 

 cover these dikes with straw-ropes ; but this great pre- 

 servative of dikes was at first ill managed ; and the use 

 of it was so slowly spread, that it was not adopted in 

 North Strand and in Eyderstede, till about the years 

 1610 and 1612. 



Before that time, however, the safety of the exten- 

 sive soil of the latter marsch had been provided for in a 

 different manner. I have said above, that, when the 

 isles of Everschop and Utholm had been united to it, 

 the whole together still formed but one large island ; 

 now, in this state, it was in as great danger on the side 

 towards the continent, as on that open to the sea ; be- 

 cause two small rivers, the Trene and the Nord Eyder, 

 discharging themselves into the interval between it and 

 the land, and by preserving their course to the sea, 

 this interval was thus kept open to tempest, sometimes 

 from the side of the Hever, sometimes from that of the 

 Eyder ; and the waves, beating against the geest, were 

 thence repelled upon the marsch. The inhabitants, 

 seeing that the expence of remedying these evils would 

 be greater than they could afford, while at the same 

 time it was indispensable to their safety, addressed them- 

 selves to their bishop and to their prefect, of whom they 

 requested pecuniary assistance; and having obtained 

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