26 M2I. Be Ranee and Topley — Rate of Erosion of Sea- Coasts. 



The most ancient of known Graptolites, described by Linnarsson 

 in 1871, as Dichograptus ? tenellus. Tullberg regards it as a 

 Bryograptus ; Nicbolson refers it to his genus Trichograptus. The 

 discoverer of the species noticed that its ramification agreed with 

 that of Clonograptus flexilis ; and until more perfect specimens are 

 obtained, it may take its place here. 



VI. — An inquiry into the Eate of Erosion of the Sea-coasts 

 of England and Wales, and the Influence of the Artificial 

 Abstraction of Shingle or other Material in that Action. 



By C. E. De Rance, F.G.S., and W. Topley, F.G.S., Secretaries. 1 



The Committee has during the past year received several Eeturns 

 relating to the south and east coasts of England. Most of those 

 relating to the coast south of the Thames are printed. 



The thanks of the Committee are especially due to Major-General 

 Sir A. Clarke, who has instructed the Officers of the Royal Engineers 

 stationed around the coast to supply the Committee with such infor- 

 mation as they may possess or be able to obtain. Further returns 

 are expected from the same department and from other official 

 sources ; the Committee therefore think it best to defer any general 

 report until more complete information is obtained. 



The Memorandum drawn up by Mr. J. B. Redman so fully sets 

 forth the work of the Committee, and the importance of the inquiry 

 referred to it, that this is now printed. 



The Memorandum by Mr. G. Dowker on East Kent gives a 

 sufficiently complete account of the changes of the coast in this 

 district ; changes which are of especial historical importance and 

 interest. 



Mr. Whitaker has drawn up a list of works relating to the coast- 

 changes of England and Wales, which will be of great service to 

 the Committee and to those who may assist in the work. 



The Committee would again ask for the assistance of any who by 

 long residence or other means have special knowledge of changes on 

 any part of the English and Welsh coast. Printed forms of ques- 

 tions can be obtained from any member of the Committee. 



Extracts from the Memorandum by Mr. J. B. Redman, M.Inst.C.E. 

 That the erosion of our south-eastern coasts by the action of wind 

 and waves has been assisted and increased by artificial agency, by 

 removal of material and by the treatment of works of defence in a 

 selfish spirit, unaccompanied by concerted action, resulting in injury 

 to adjoining frontages for the benefit of those operated on, can be 

 copiously illustrated by the records of our public departments, such 

 as the Admiralty, Woods and Forests or Works, the Board of Trade, 

 the War Office, and the Trinity Corporation, as well as by those of 

 nearly every harbour board, river conservancy, or local drainage and 

 sewage authority. And this fact is portrayed in a special literature 



1 Being the substance of a Report laid before the British Association at Aberdeen, 

 and read in Section C. Geology, 1885. 



