234 
GEOLOGY OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. 
oaks. The same is true of an extensive region extending from Canoe place west, through 
the central parts of Southampton, Brookhaven, the northern parts of Islip, across Hunting- 
ton, where it communicates with the great south plain of Long island. This sandy region 
belongs to the quaternary; but as it is so much modified in its characters by alluvial causes, 
it is here mentioned. There are many local examples of such drifting sands belonging to the 
quaternary, and some even to the tertiary. Much of the extensive sand region above men¬ 
tioned, between Patchogue and Riverhead and Canoe place, is more or less composed of hil¬ 
locks of sand, or dunes like those on the coast; only there are a few pebbles, of the size of 
bullets, found in some places. The country is almost entirely in its wild native state, and no 
house or hut is to be seen for miles in many parts of this tract. In this sandy region, and 
in its extension farther west, where it is also covered by a stinted growth of scragged oaks, 
pines and bushes, the deer still lives wild, and is occasionally hunted by sportsmen. 
On Lloyd’s neck at East-Fort, on the summit and back of the high cliff of tertiary, is a 
space of many acres of drifting sands. By the sides of the fences and other obstacles, it is 
piled up in every fantastic shape, like snow drifts. In some places it has drifted off so as to 
expose the underlying loam. 
On the north branch of Long island, the same character of drifting sands may be seen in 
patches more or less extensive, between Riverhead and Mattituck, and between Riverhead and 
Middle island. 
Salt Marshes. 
The principal marshes have been mentioned.* The smaller ones are too numerous to enu¬ 
merate. Some few that have not been spoken of, and that are experiencing marked changes, 
will be mentioned. They are mostly indicated on the map of Long island (vide Plate I.). 
An extensive marsh is in process of formation in Musquito cove. 
The salt marshes near the head of Little neck bay occupy several hundred acres. 
The east and southeast parts of Oak neck are gaining continual accessions by alluvial ac¬ 
tion ; the east by beach sand, and the southeast by marsh mud, marsh and marine plants and 
marine shells. The latter are washed up in large quantities by the waves, intermingled with 
sand. 
Beaches, Spits, and Bars. 
A long sand-spit extends out from the west side of Coldspring harbor, and another from 
the east side about half a mile below the village, so as to nearly close the opening. Another 
extends from the beach between Lloyd’s neck and West neck, to the second, third and fourth 
brick-kilns. A marsh extends from the first or northernmost brick-kiln to the head of Lloyd’s 
harbor. The isthmus connecting Lloyd’s neck and West neck is a sand beach, entirely alluvial. 
' Vide p. 18 of this volume. 
