ON THE BED OF THE 



in the form of sand, varying in size from the finest 

 grains to coarse bulky particles, mixed with coral 

 and pounded shells, the quantity of these calcare- 

 ous matters being altogether astonishingly great ; 

 and being specifically lighter than the particles of 

 sand, the shells generally cover the surface of these 

 sunken banks. With regard to the vast collection 

 of siliceous particles connected with the banks, our 

 surprise ceases when we consider the receptacle 

 which the North Sea forms, to an almost unlimited 

 extent of drainage from the surrounding countries, 

 as before noticed, on which the change of the sea- 

 sons, and the succession of rain and of drought up- 

 on the surface of the earth, are unceasingly produ- 

 cing their destructive effects. All have remarked 

 the quantity of mud and debris with which every 

 rill and river is charged, even after the gentlest 

 shower, especially wherever the hand of the agri- 

 culturist is to be found. His labours m keeping 

 up the fertilizing quality of the ground, consist in a 

 great measure in preparing a fresh matrix for the 

 chemical process or the germination of the seeds 01 

 the earth, in lieu of that portion of the finely pul- 

 verised soil which the rains are perpetually carry- 

 ing to the sea, as the grand receptacle and store- 

 house of nature for these exuviae of the globe. From 

 the effect of rills and rivulets, we should, perhaps, 

 be apt to expect a greater deposition in the bed or 

 sheltered bays and arms of the sea, than we really 

 observe. So that we can readily believe that the 



