169 



of the channel, the depth of which does not seem to have materially 

 changed. 



The cause of the extraordinary increase at the extremity of this 

 headland, is attributed by some to the general prevalence of the south- 

 east w^inds on that part of the coast. It is supposed that these winds, 

 striking the shore obliquely in the direction of the point of the Hook, 

 carry up the slope the sand, which, returning by gravitation on the 

 shortest line to the sea, is again thrown up; and thus, by successive 

 efforts, is deposited at the point in question. If this be the true ex- 

 planation of the increase, it is fair to conclude, as the materials are 

 furnished from the sea along the shore line, which here trends for 

 many miles in the same direction, that, whenever this line is cut 

 across, as it is at times by the opening of Shrewsbury Inlet, this in- 

 crease would be correspondingly diminished; the deposit being made 

 at the Inlet of the particles, which would otherwise be carried forward 

 to the extremity of the Hook. On the other hand, it is not unreason- 

 able to suppose that the Shrewsbury River, when open directly to the 

 sea, is itself a fruitful source, under the operation just explained, from 

 which the deposit is derived. The truth or error of either of these 

 opinions, or of the theory of the progress of the sands northerly, un- 

 der the influence of the south-east winds, can probably only be proved 

 by frequent surveys showing the increase, in connexion with exact 

 records of the time of the opening and shutting of the inlet in ques- 

 tion. 



The Treasurer laid before the Society an account presented 

 by Mr. Frederick Brown, on the part of the executors of the 

 late Mr. Dunn, which, on motion, was referred to a Commit- 

 tee, consisting of Mr. Thos. I. Wharton, Mr. Williams, and 

 Mr. Kane, to report thereon. 



On motion of Dr. Patterson, the request of Mr. Wilde, that 

 a plaster cast might be made from the Society's bust of Frank- 

 lin, by Houdon, was granted, with the understanding that it 

 should be done in the Society's Hall, under the inspection of 

 the Librarian. 



