Beach Phenomena at Quaco, N. B. — Whittle. 187 
rocks of varying character, . mainly those that are exposed along 
the south-east side of the head, eruptions, limestones and calcare- 
ous red shale, the last two carrying manganese ores principally as 
nodules of psilomelane and wad. A line of more or less dis- 
tinctly marked sea-caves and cliffs and their accompanying taluses 
extends across the head forming the water line. Since the close 
of the glacial period the northward extension of the beach has 
been nearly carried away by the encroaching waves, and in Quaco 
harbor a fine section is exposed. Going seaward from the shore 
line a progressive diminution in the size of the detrital material 
and its gentle easterly dip are noticeable, the outermost portion 
being largely clay grading westerly into coarser layers ; and, 
finally, at the shore line occurs normal coarse beach conglomerate 
the material of which although waterworn shows the transientness 
of the sea at this level by its much greater augularity compared 
with the material composing present beach deposits. All the strata 
exposed carry an appreciable percentage of nodules of manganese 
ore derived from the calcareous red shale and limestone ; the wad 
which these rocks contain being incoherent was transported far- 
ther seaward, and the general dark color of the clays is probably 
attributable to this cause. Nearly a square mile of beach remains 
in and west of the head. No permanent streams traverse it, and 
it remains to-da}- essentially in the same condition as when the 
sea retreated. The advent of the ocean apparently found no large 
glacial boulders to contend against ; along the coast line none are 
now seen and the smooth surface of the beach is unbroken except 
by an occasional outcrop of limestone or melaphyre. That the 
beach remains in so perfect a condition to-da}' points to a com- 
paratively rapid retreat of the sea ; while the occurrence of the sea- 
caves, imperfect though they may be, and the line of cliffs along 
the margin of the sea point as strongly to a degree of permanency 
in the relation of the land to the sea for a considerable length of 
time that would hardly be expected if the current theory as to the 
cause of elevation and submergence of the land dining glacial 
time be adhered to. 
Cambridge, Muss.. Jan. 26th, 1891. 
