O'Reilly — On, the Waste of the Coast of Ireland, 8fc. 179 



are perpendicular down to the sea, while in the latter there are steps 

 or sea-terraces at the base of the cliffs. South-east of PoUadoo, there 

 are four sets of steps at the base of the cliff, and the note made on the 

 ground is as follows : — ' Cliff over 250 feet high. Two shale beds. 

 The cliff rises perpendicularly from the highest.' South of Portmurvy 

 there are fi'om four to six of these sea-terraces, and the cliff is less 

 than 50 feet high. South of Gurtnagapple, the cliffs are low but 

 perpendicular; hereabouts nearly east and west master -joints occur 

 about 2 yards apart, and as the sea undermines the cliff, masses of 

 rock, tons in weight, that are disconnected by these joints, topple over 

 and fall, forming a break- water at the base of the cliff. This 

 breakwater extends for about ^ a mile." 



(p. 33.) — " At Corker, there is a perpendicular cliff formed by 

 east and west master-joints. In the face of the cliff there are two 

 shale partings about 40 feet asunder, the lower being about 60 fee 

 above half neap tide. 



" South-east of I^alhea there are foiu' or five sea-terraces at the base 

 of the cliff; and at Whirpeas the cliff is about 140 feet higher than 

 the level of neap tide, a shale bed occurring about 40 feet above this 

 level. To the east of this, at PoUnabriskenagh, the limestones are 

 traversed by east and west master-joints, and the sea yearly causes 

 great destruction of the rock. This cliff, which is about 100 feet high, 

 is undercut at the base . At Bensheefrontee, the point a little north- 

 west of Doocaher, * the block beach ' sets in, and extends to the 

 south-east point of the island, having only five small breaks in it : 

 three at the ' cooses ' or small bays in the vicinity of Doocaher, one 

 at the ' coose ' called Doughatna, and one about 40 yards wide at the 

 Glassan Eock, in all of which places the base of the cliff is undercut, 

 while that part which is surmounted by the ' block beach ' is stepped. 

 However, although it is undercut, and forms a cave at Doughatna, 

 yet below the cave, there are six very low steps. The highest part of 

 the cliff on which this beach occurs is in the vicinity of Doocaher, and 

 about 100 feet above the sea level, while the lowest part, a quarter of 

 a mile west of the Glassan Rock is about 35 feet. These steps at the 

 base of the cliffs are usually from 4 to 7 in number, seemingly having 

 been cut, one by low water of spring tides, another, by low water of 

 neap tides, another by high water of neap tides, another by high water 

 of spring tides. At one place, east of Carrickurra, there is a step 

 above high water of spring tides on which the 'block beach' rests. 

 At this place the cliff is about 50 feet high. 



" The stones forming the 'block beach' are cast up during the 



