278 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



Second^ eight of the persons deceased in Nantucket 

 had attained a greater age than the oldest person who 

 died in Sharon. 



Thirds the population of Sharon is 1,500; that of 

 Nantucket 3,700 — not quite two and one half times as 

 large: yet while in Sharon but four persons had 

 reached the age of eighty, in Nantucket there were 

 twenty. In Sharon but twelve were over seventy, 

 while in Nantucket there were thirty-eight. In view 

 of the above figures, Nantucket declines to "knock 

 under " to Sharon on the score of longevity or health- 

 fulness. 



Sancoty Head, 



See Lighthouses, 

 Otherwise Sankoty, Sankaty, and Sankata, is one of 

 the highest points upon the island, and is situated at 

 its extreme east end. It is about ninety-five feet high, 

 and was called by the Indians Naphchecoy, which sig- 

 nifies " around the head." It is about one and one half 

 miles from 'Sconset, eight miles from town, and upon 

 it is situated the celebrated lighthouse which bears the 

 name of the head. From the top of the lighthouse 

 can be obtained a most superb view of the' island and 

 ocean. Away down its steep side, — if one has a taste 

 for science, and will borrow a bucket and shovel of the 

 genial keeper of the lighthouse, — one can dig out a 

 wonderful variety of shells ; for here begins a stratum 

 which at this place crops out, and probably underlies 

 the whole island. (See Geology.) This headland is 

 supposed to have been the first point seen by Gosnold 

 When he discovered the island. 



