THE FAUNAL AREAS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Massachusetts, occupying south-central New England from lat. 

 41° N.. to lat. 43° N., affords a great diversity of physical condi- 

 tions for the support of a large and varied fauna. Although the 

 direct distance between its northeast and southeast comers is 

 but 95 miles, its entire length of coast line following the main 

 capes and bays, amounts to nearly 300 miles. The northeast coast 

 is rugged and rocky, especially in the vicinity of Cape Ann. Be- 

 tween this region and the southern part of Cape Cod, the shores 

 are sandy with numerous protected coves and bays. The barrier 

 beaches at the south of Cape Cod, together with Martha's Vine- 

 yard and Nantucket, form a protection for the fiord-like coast line 

 of the southernmost part of the State. These fiords, of which 

 Buzzard's Bay — 30 miles long and 10 miles wide — is the largest, 

 represent a submerged valley system. 



The large, low islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, 

 with their numerous lagoons on the seaward side, are sandy but 

 well wooded in certain parts. Together they cover over 100 

 square miles. The smaller islands in this region, Muskeget, 

 Tuckemuck, and the Elizabeth Islands, are also of interest, be- 

 cause of the peculiar environmental conditions which they offer. 

 The broad expanse of shallow water extending eastward from 

 Cape Cod, covers a land area which includes George's Bank, 120 

 miles from land, and is by some considered as a part, of Massa- 

 chusetts. 



From sea level on the east, the mainland rises gradually to the 

 westward, and reaches its greatest height in the north-western part 

 of Berkshire County. This is due to the wearing away of the 

 land to nearly base level, and its subsequent upUft, so that the 

 former plain is now highest in the northwest. Barnstable County 

 (Cape Cod) and the greater part of Plymouth and Bristol Coun- 

 ties are comparatively level and free from outcrops, for the rock 

 foundation is covered with glacial detritus to a considerable depth. 

 The north-eastern regions of the State are more hilly with frequent 

 rocky outcrops, and are marked by numerous drumlins and eskers. 

 The highest points in this eastern district are found in the Blue 

 Hills of Norfolk County, which attain an elevation of 635 feet 



