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it grows chiefly by over-wash during great storms. The same 
is true of the barrier beaches separating Little Harbor from 
the open sea, and those on the Scituate shore. The supply of 
fresh material being now virtually eut off, the outward growth of 
the beaches must substantially cease or the additions consist of 
much finer material, such as might be brought from more 
distant sources. The increasing fineness of the sand on Nan- 
tasket Beach is apparent from the fact that distinet sand dunes 
may now be seen along the front of the beach north and south of 
Strawberry Hill, having a height in some cases of ten feet or 
more, while they are entirely wanting on the back side of the 
beach. At the south end of the beach the sand is also very fine, 
and abundant traces of it may be observed at heights of from 20 
to 30 feet on the north side of Atlantic Hill ; while in the valley 
between Atlantic and Willow Ledge Hills a considerable bed, 
not of modified drift, but of the same fine white beach sand 
may be traced as far south as Atlantic Avenue. The accumu- 
lation of beach sand in this sheltered spot does not appear to be 
in progress now. But, although it could be used as an argu- 
ment for the recent elevation of the coast, I am disposed to 
ascribe it to strong northerly winds in past years. 
