344 



Sketch of the Geology of 



In passing along the coast of Maine towards Massa- 

 chusetts, we do not meet with many striking cases of the 

 denuding agency of the ocean, after passing Cape Eliza- 

 beth, till we reach Cape Ann. Here we should expect 

 to see the powerful effects of the northeast storms, that 

 sweep along this coast with tremendous violence. Ac- 

 cordingly we find that the island on which the light houses' 

 are placed, a little in advance of the end of the Cape, is 

 almost entirely swept of vegetable life, and even of soil ; 

 presenting nothing but sea-beaten, dark brown masses of 

 sienite ; the only rock, perhaps, that could so long have 

 resisted the furious concussion of the waves. There can 

 be no doubt but this island was once covered with soil, 

 and probably was connected with the Cape. The Cape 

 itself is little else than a mass of sienite, especially its 

 shores, as high as the waves wash them in a storm. The 

 following sketch of the island, with the;.light houses, and 

 of the Cape behind it, was t^en as we rushed past the 

 spot in a steam-boat. 



Proceed 



tinual, and most strikmg evidence of a mi 



f ^ 



r. 



■* 



