396 . HOLLICK 



those of Naushon, but the entire absence o{ arborescent vegeta- 

 tion has caused the effects of rain and wind erosion to be more 

 pronounced. Wherever the turf is destroyed erosion is rapid 

 and depressions are soon formed by the removal of the finer ma- 

 terial, leaving the bowlders prominently exposed. 



Around the shores the effects of wave and wind action are 

 very pronounced. In places where depressions have been 

 reached by tide water, in the gradual recession of the shore 

 line, these are often dammed by an accumulation of wave-thrown 

 shingle and the result is the formation of a swamp or pond. 



[Plate XII.] The dam is constantly pushing further and fur- 

 ther inland and every stage in the evolution and final oblitera- 

 tion of such a swamp or pond may be seen. Often the old 

 swamp deposit, with the water seeping through, may be found 

 exposed on the slope of the beach at low tide — the sole reminder 

 of these former conditions. Occasionally dune sand accumu- 

 lates on the dams and vegetation obtains a foothold, in which 

 case a compact barrier beach results. 



Bolted firmly to the bowlders on the shore and in the adja- 

 cent water, and extending out for a considerable distance, are 

 the fishing stands, each one provided with a seat, on which 

 the fisherman may sit, and any description of the island would 

 be incomplete without at least a brief reference to this feature. 



[Plate XIII.] 



Nashaweena 



This island, owned by Mr. Edward B. Merrill, is next in size' 

 to Naushon, having a length from east to west of about three 

 miles and an average width of about one mile. The greatest 

 elevations are about 125 feet, in a series of scattered hilltops, lo- 

 cated towards the southwestern part of the island. Good sections 

 of about 60 or 70 feet are exposed in the bluffs on the south 

 shore near the w^est end, which show stratified, grayish, sandy 

 clays, similar to those which are prominent in Mohegan Bluffs 

 on Block Island and at Montauk Point on Long Island, and on 

 which the superficial bowlder till rests — the entire series repre- 

 senting the varying conditions which obtained during the Qua- 



