56 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



This paper is only what its title claims for it ; an 

 essay, namely, an attempt, an effort, towards account- 

 ing for the existence and shape of Nantucket, by one 

 who simply applies to the case of his beloved birth- 

 place what he has read of the most recent scientific 

 observation and conclusion. It will be perceived that 

 thus far the theory is not as yet perfect enough to 

 account for the beds of sea shells that lie above the 

 present level of the sea. At any rate, there must have 

 been a time when in the oscillation of the continent its 

 surface sank at first low enough for these beds of shells 

 to have formed, and then rose again. Will some geolo- 

 gist suggest a theory as to how the beds of shells, 

 which are now above the level of the sea, got into the 

 Nantucket moraine? 



It seems to the present writer that this is not a 

 question for hasty solution, or for suggestion by mere 

 amateurs in science, but one which will tax the skilled 

 scientist ; and that the Nantucket beds of shells are 

 well worthy of careful investigation, and may lead to 

 important and valuable conclusions in connection with 

 the glacial epoch. r. c. e. 



William C. Folger, Esq. , relates to the compiler the 

 following : — 



" John DeMarsellac,* a "French gentleman who was 

 here on a visit nearly a century ago, went out to 

 Squam with the late Feleg Mitchell, Sr., and with 



* "John Massillac, a French gentleman who had become 

 much attached to Wrn. Rotch." — N. E. Hist. Gen. Keg., Vol. 

 XXXIV. 



