1902] 



THE ECOLOGY OF THE DELAWARE COAST 



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coast line is almost due north and south, and the ocean currents 

 come predominantly from the southeast. 



II. PHYSIOGRAPHY. 



A. Topography. — From the northeast end of Maine to the 

 Florida peninsula the Atlantic coast is more or less fringed with 

 islands, the shore lines of Delaware and Mar^-land being no 



Fig. I. — Shore south from Rehoboth, showing sandstone layer upon which is a 

 dune ; Douglas House at left, one mile to the south. 



exception to the general rule. Here the bays and lagoons 

 extend far into the mainland, usually surrounded by swampy 

 tracts, broken up into sub-bays by low lying islands, and often 

 connected by slowly flowing streams. In the course of time 

 the lagoons and bays become filled up by sediment and plant 

 remains. This process of filling up could be studied wnth great 

 advantage in the Henlopen region, for all the stages from lakes 

 through storm-flooded areas and swamps to the meadows are 

 found, although the lagoon stage is past. 



The sea beach is smooth and usually has avery gradual slope ; 

 the sand is fine and compact and is not easily drifted, therefore 



