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INTRODUCTION. 
H E IJland of Shepey, with the annexed Penin- 
fulas of Harty and Elmly, furrounded by the 
Waters of the Thames, the Medway, and the Sea, is 
upwards of Thirty Miles in Circumference, about 
T’hirteeen in Length from Shellnefs to Sheernefs, and 
in its great efl Breadth about Six. It hath long been 
noted for producing large^antities of Sheep (from whence 
probably it derived its Name) as well as Corn j and 
exhibits to the inquijitive Naturalijl a mojl definable 
Spot, by affording on its Surface many rare Plants, 
and more effecially in the Bowels of its Northern 
fo great a ^antity and. Variety of Foffils, both 
native and extraneous, as are fcarcely to be paralled. 
^efe Cliffs are in Length about Six Miles from Eaji 
to Weft, gradually declining at each End the more 
elevated Parts whereof reach about two-thirds of their 
extenfion, and are, at the very higheft of them about 
Minfter, not lefs than Lhirty Yards in perpendicular 
Height ahoie the Beach or Shore, and being compofed 
of day, and conftantly wajhed at their Bafts by the 
Yides 
