OF MARINE COASTS. 63 



At the last mentioned place the dunes do not show any regular ar- 

 rangement as is usually the case, but they constitute a large dune- 

 complex in which no order can be recognized. The dunes on this coast 

 are, as a rule, low, but reach sometimes an elevation of 60 m. Westerly 

 winds prevail on all these coasts. 



SCOTLAND. 



In October, 1899, a passing visit was paid to the dunes at Gullane 

 Point, south of Firth of Forth, not very far from Edinburgh. For a 

 distance of about 10 km. the coast is here sandy, and by far the most 

 extensive dunes of this place are on the eastern shore of Aberlady Bay, 

 where the sandy belt is about 2 km. wide. All stages of development 

 are met with. Sandy shore, embryonic dunes, dune-complexes, and 

 sandy fields. A greater part of these sand formations was fixed by 

 vegetation. 



The general conditions did not materially differ from those on other 

 coasts of the North Sea. I have not been able to get reliable information 

 as to the salinity of sea water in the Firth of Forth, but so far out the 

 influence of the river is doubtless comparatively insignificant. The 

 prevailing winds are those from N. JST. E. 



ATLANTIC COAST OF EUROPE. 



Near Plymouth in England 



the writer made some observations in October, 1900. Only sandy 

 beaches of small extent were visited. The sand was coarse, mixed with 

 humus, the remains of decomposed seaweeds and marine animals thrown 

 ashore by waves. The beach was exposed to southerly winds, but being 

 in the interior of the harbor it was protected against the currents, and 

 consequently the amount of kelp accumulated was considerable. 



On the west coast of France, 



from Graves at the mouth of the river Gironde to the bank of I'Adour 

 and even further to the cliffs of Beam, a series of dunes follow the 

 coast for more than 300 km. This belt having an average width of four 

 to five and in some cases seven to eight km., is in many ways remarkable. 



