No. 161.] 
75 
shores from the open ocean. The action upon these coasts is so 
rapid as to attract the attention of the inhabitants, and calculations 
even have been made, as to the time that will probably elapse, be- 
fore they will have disappeared. Rocks (boulders) that have form- 
ed a part of Plum island, may now be observed at low water a 
mile or more from the present shore. 
Little Gull island, on which a light-house is located, was disap- 
pearing so rapidly a few years since, that it became necessary to 
protect it from the farther inroads of the ocean, by encircling it 
with a strong sea wall. 
Oyster Pond Point is wearing away rapidly, by the combined 
action of the waves, during heavy northeast storms, and the strong 
tidal current, which flows with great velocity through Plum 
Gut. A small redoubt, about one quarter of a mile west of the 
Point, is nearly washed away, and Mr. Latham, the ow^ner of the 
farm, says, that several rods in width have disappeared since his 
reniembrance. During the heavy storm of the 12th Oct. 1836, 
the sea made a clear breach over about one quarter of a mile of 
the eastern part of the Point, washed away all the light materials, 
and cut a shallow channel through which the tide now flows. — 
The effects of this storm were very marked at many localities on 
the north shore. The clifts were undermined, and crumbled or slid 
down, exposing the geological structure and presenting beautiful 
coast sections of the strata. The time subsequent to the storm 
unti] the winter set in, was devoted exclusively to meandering the 
coast on the north part of Suffolk county, in order, to inspect in 
detail the geological structure and phenonema of the alluvial and 
tertiary deposites. 
Many more facts in connection with this subject, might be 
brought forward were this the proper occasion, but all the geolo- 
gical details^ except such as are directly applicable to useful pur- 
poses, will be retained until the publication of the final report. 
The importance of thoroughly understanding the effects of cau- 
ses now in action, in the construction of public works, such as 
breakwaters, fortifications, &c., and even the locations of towns 
and cities, is too obvious to require particular notice. 
