DRIFT DIVISION. 
165 
York, but the cause that has effected the transportation of the drift deposits has acted over 
most of the northern parts of the United States ; and I have felt myself authorized, in dis¬ 
cussing it, to bring forward such observations as have been made, and which may enable 
some one to reconcile all the apparent contradictions, and eventually to unveil the secondary 
causes* that have produced the results we see. 
Boulders and Drift of Long island. 
Blocks of granitic rock were seen in a small hill on the road from Sag- Harbor to East- 
hampton. Near Easthampton, on the shore, the surf frequently uncovers the drift that un¬ 
derlies the superior sands and clays. This formation of gravel, pebbles and boulders, is 
more or less cemented by clay. It is of unknown thickness in that vicinity, and contains 
quartz pebbles of a yellow color, intermixed with those of granite, sienite, greenstone and 
hornblende rock. I have seen the same bed in a great number of places in that vicinity, and 
it must be very undulating in form upon its proper surface, as it frequently emerges on level 
ground from the beds of sand, loam and clay that overlie it. This is also the water-bearing 
stratum ; and the wells are sunk to this stratum, or to such a level that the inequalities of its 
surface dam up and hold the water. 
A block of granite was observed on the road from Easthampton to Montauk point, just 
before descending the sand hills and plains to Nepeague beach. After crossing Nepeague 
beach and marsh, which are entirely alluvial, and over which the sea still makes a clear 
breach during heavy storms, the hills of drift commence, and extend with some interrup¬ 
tions to Montauk point. The drift is in many places overlaid by sandy and gravelly materials, 
and in some places by clay. From Nepeague beach to Fort pond, the soil is sufficiently po¬ 
rous to absorb the water that falls upon it, without forming marshes or “ pond-holes ” in the 
depressions between the hills ; but from Fort pond to Great pond, it is sufficiently clayey to 
be impermeable to a considerable extent, and cause marshes and small ponds. Between 
Great pond and Montauk point, the ground is less marshy, but there are numerous pond-holes 
in the bowl-shaped depressions between the hills. The drift formation is well exposed to 
minute observation along the south shore of Long island, for nearly ten miles west from 
Montauk point, and along a part of the north shore also to Great pond. Most parts of the 
coast between the points indicated are gradually washing away, as has been explained under 
Alluvion {encroachments of the sea) in this volume. The cliffs are of the formation under 
consideration, and are composed of clay or loam, through which gravel, pebbles and boulders, 
from a grain to many tons weight, are diffused. The surf beats against the base in high 
storms, washes away the clay and other materials, and tife cliff not being sufficiently sup¬ 
ported at the base, cracks off and tumbles or slides down. The loose earth is washed away, 
• God is the primary cause of all, who does all things by his might and power and wisdom, who governs and directs all things 
for the greatest good of the subjects of his power, and for his honor and glory. Man is permitted to unveil some of the laws of 
nature, as they are called, and trace out secondary and more remote causes. ^ 
