SAND-SCULPTURE. 
T.MELLARD READE, F.G.S., 
Park Corner, Blundelisands, Liverpool. 
THE sand-dunes on the Crosby coast at the present moment 
exhibit an interesting phenomenon which, if it has occurred before Cj 
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<n vertical shri at right angles to the face, has been 
develo t presents the appearance of a prismatic cleavage, 
extending aan pn bed to bed through the ‘ cross-beddin 
of the sand. On closer examination, some of these vertical 
Gikings are seen to be like the flutings of a Doric column, the 
edges being as sharp and definite as any mason’s work I ever saw. 
Others are like gashes cut back from the face across the ledges 
presently to be described. Sometimes these gashes are wider at 
the bottom than the top, and simulate miniature mountain gullies. 
Between the several beds there are square ledges with loose sand 
talus lying on them, so that some of the series present a remarkable 
likeness to the outline drawings of the Cafons of the Colorado, 
which the Geological Survey of the United States has made us 
all so familiar with. In several cases these miniature cliffs jut 
out from sie ledge in overhanging projections. 
A careful examination shows that this apparent structure is 
really no peotlice at all, but simply the result of sand-sculpture. 
A very wet season, during which the sand has got thoroughly 
Saturated and consolidated, has been followed by exceptionally dry 
weather, with the effect of drying the surface-grains rapidly, leaving 
the sand behind still moist and solid. 
The slightest disturbance of the wind sets these grains in 
motion, and their attrition and concussion in falling from qe to 
ledge cuts out these curious forms. One of my sons very so 
Showed how it was done, by climbing up a sandhill and nt 
the loose sand in motion. It came down first in several big rills, 
which divided lower down into scores of small rills, looking 
Precisely like streams of water falling from ledge to ledge. 
Striking, that I venture to think that this notice may be interesting 
to some of the geologists and others who read ‘The Naturalist.’ 
_ April 13th, 1892. 
May 1892 
