54 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JANUARY 
Dewey Beach to Rehoboth roughly parallel with the present coast, 
and north of Rehoboth extending in a northwesterly direction. 
There are many irregularities in this line, now occupied by lakes, 
streams, and marshes, which suggest erosion of the cliff. 
The second interesting problem is connected with the plant 
remains, which in a thick peaty mass apparently underlie a large 
part of the present beach. This deposit was undoubtedly formed 
in a swamp, which would indicate that at one time the coast line 
Fic. 6.—Clay-sand ledge south of Rehoboth, mt view from near the end of the 
board walk looking south; Dewey Beach in the distan 
was farther out. The following history seems reasonable and is 
suggested as a possible explanation. The sea-cliff stage was fol- 
lowed by the formation of a bar to seaward, inclosing a lagoon, 
which by progressive changes became a swamp. That the swamp 
stage must have continued for some time is suggested by the report 
of “stumps in the turf.” Erosion of the seaward side of the bar 
followed, involving the driving backward of the dunes over the 
swamp and the formation of a hook at the north end of the bar, 
