EVEKEST POLYGONAL AREAS. 



41 



in a line nearly straight, until off the Hebrides, (2) when it again 

 makes a bend to the south. It continues in this direction until about 

 lat. 53° 20', (3) when it again bends to the south, and continues 

 nearly as a north and south line to a little above 49° 20', (4) when 

 it takes a sudden bend to the south-east, and runs in that direction 

 all the way across the Bay of Biscay to the western foot of the 

 Pyrenees. It will be observed that between these projecting points 

 (see Map) the line bends inwards, like a slackened rope between 



Map of the British IsUs, showing the 100-fathom line and the 

 Hexagonal Area. 



its points of support, and the cracks or rents wc have been discuss- 

 ing begin between the points of support at the deepest point of the 

 curve. It wiU be observed also, that this 100-fathom line par- 

 takes but little of the irregular shape of the coast; but that the 

 shallower the water becomes, the more does the line of equal depth 



