294 ALLUVIUM. 



adopted for its prevention, have hitherto been attended with but little 

 success*. 



The process by which this destruction of the coast is effected, is suf- 

 ficiently obvious. By the incessant action of the waves the chffs are un- 

 dermined, and at length fall down, and cover the shore with their ruins. 

 The softer parts of the strata, as chalk, marl, clay, &c., are rapidly disin- 

 tegrated and washed away ; while the flints, and more solid materials, are 

 broken and rounded by the continual agitation of the water, and form 

 those accumulations of sand and pebbles, that constitute the beach, and 

 which serve, in some situations, to protect the land from farther encroach- 

 ments. But when the cHffs are entuely composed of soft substances, their 

 destruction is very rapid, unless artificial means are employed for their 

 protection; and even these, in many instances, are but too frequently 

 ineffectual. 



* Dallaway's Western Sussex, Vol. i. p. Iv. 



