ECONOMICAL GEOLOGY, 133 



The prices mentioned above are much below those at 

 which salt is sold in our markets ; a diflFerence due to the 

 expenses of transportation, and the cost of bags or casks 

 used in packing it. 



Sea Bathing* — Cape May has acquired a very high repu- 

 tation as a resort for sea bathing. The entire length of 

 the county, from Beesley's Point to the extremity of the 

 Cape, is adapted to this purpose ; but from the peculiar 

 location of Cape Island, at a point where the upland comes 

 directly out upon the sea-shore, it has received nearly all 

 the visitors. 



The excellencies claimed for Cape Island, as a resort for 

 sea bathing, are, " that it has a rolling surf, safe at all 

 times, and with easy access from the shore and the board- 

 ing-houses. The bottom is clean, hard, and sandy. There 

 is a cool and refreshing sea-breeze every afternoon. It has 

 a delightful surrounding country of well cultivated land. 

 The location is proverbially healthy.f The temperature 

 of the place, during the bathing season, is from 75° Fah. 

 to 95°, at noon. At 90° the heat is not oppressive, and 

 during the evenings, in consequence of the sea-breeze, 

 woolen clothing is not uncomfortable. 



The season for sea bathing commences about the 20th 

 of June, and closes the 1st of September. A very small 

 number of visitors is found there at either of those times ; 

 but, in the course of the season, it is estimated that as 



* For the facts under this head I am indebted to Dr. Samuel S. Maroy, of Cape Island. 



f Morse, in his Geography, edition of 1819, says this county is so healthy that no regu- 

 lar bred physician has ever settled there. Several have come in since that time. There are 

 now eight in the county. It is perhaps worthy of note that no lawyer has ever resided 

 here. 



