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[AsSEMBLV 
terials are swept away by the tidal currents, and the obhque action of 
the surf on the shore. The headlands, generally, of the north shore of 
Queens county, are washing away. The blocks of rock w^hich were 
once imbedded in the loose soil of the island are seen on the beach, ex- 
tending out far beyond low water mark. 
At Oak Neck, Fox Island and Martinecock, as well as at Middle 
Island, the boulders extend far out at low water, and demonstrate the 
encroachment of the sea on the land. Middle Island and Oak Neck, 
are parts of a peninsula which lies between Oyster Bay and Long Island 
Sound. They were once islands, but have been connected with each 
other and with Long Island, by beaches formed of detrital matter, 
swept from the headlands of Middle Island and Oak Neck. Extensive 
salt marshes are forming under the protection of these beaches, and are 
materially increased by the sand drifted from them. These beaches are 
observed to vary in form and magnitude, being sometimes increased or 
diminished in particular parts by the effects of a single storm. Fox 
Island, so called, was once an island, but it is now connected with Oak 
Neck and Long Island on the east by a long beach. A long sand spit 
of a mile and a half in length, extends to near Peacock's, where it is 
cut off by an inlet, which communicates with the extensive marsh be- 
tween Fox Island and Long Island. This beach and spit are derived 
from the materials washed from Fox Island and Oak Neck. 
Peacock's Point is also washing away. Stumps and logs of wood 
are seen below low w^ater mark. Martinecock Point, a mile or more 
west of Peacock's, must have washed away rapidly. A long point of 
boulders and blocks stretches far out into the Sound at ebb tide. This 
was once an island, which is also connected with Peacock's by a long 
sand beach. Another ancient island, now connected with Long Island 
on the S. W. by a beach, is very near Martinecock on the W. These 
two islands and beaches enclose a large pond, the inlet of which is 
through a mill sluice between them. Mr. Jacob Latting, who is an old 
and respectable inhabitant, and has been a resident in the vicinity more 
than half a century, informed me that these have been worn away many 
rods within his recollection. Mr. Latting pointed out to me the posi- 
tion of the beach between Peacock's and Fox Island, during the revolu- 
tion. The beach them dammed up the outlet of a marsh, through which 
a small stream ran, and a trunk was put in the beach in 1778, to allow 
the water to drain through, in order to prevent flooding the meadows. 
I saw the trunk in its original position. The beach has since made out 
about 200 yards in front of where it was at that time. He observed 
