62 



between it and the underlying' ledge. Several years since 

 Prof. Agassiz visited this hill and was much interested in 

 this particular rock ; and on the occasion of a field meet- 

 ing of the Essex Institute in this town during October, 

 1874, several members visited the boulder and named it 

 "Ajrassiz Rock," in commemoration of that distinguished 



^ O 



naturalist. Some went to Kettle Cove to examine two 

 interesting and remarkable natural curiosities located in 

 its vicinity, just within the limits of Gloucester. One of 

 .these, a large fissure in the rocks on the scacoast, through 

 avhicli the ocean thunders and tosses its spray, known 

 as "Rafe's Chasm." . The name is said to be derived from 

 a man named Ralph, who resided near by. Its length 

 forms a right angle with the shore, from which it extends 

 more than two hundred feet. The other is "Norman's 

 Woe," a large rock lying a few rods from the shore and 

 connected with it by a reef of stones which the sea leaves 

 bare at low tide. Longfellow, in "The Wreck of the 

 Hesperus," has alluded to this rock and given it a kind 

 of immortality. Eagle Head, and several of the fine 

 beaches, including the "musical sands," which are situated 

 on part of what is known as "Old Neck Beach," or 

 "Musical Beach," and are alluded to in a notice of the 

 meeting on Thursday, August 2, 1866, 2 were visited. 

 This rocky coast is relieved by several of these beautiful 

 beaches, especially at some of the inlets or coves which 

 indent the coast and add .greatly to the attractiveness of 

 this town for summer residents. Everywhere the land- 

 scape is most picturesque and varied. The woods, in- 

 tersected by numerous brooks and rivulets, offer many 

 inducements to the botanist to make explorations, and be 

 fiurc of u reward for his toil in the obtaining choice spcci- 



2 See Proceedings of Essex Institute, VoL V, page 57. 



