File:A gazetteer of the state of Massachusetts - with numerous illustrations (1890) (14744061796).jpg

Identifier: gazetteerofstate00naso (find matches)
Title: A gazetteer of the state of Massachusetts : with numerous illustrations
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Nason, Elias, 1811-1887 Varney, George J. (George Jones), 1836-1901
Subjects: Massachusetts -- Gazetteers
Publisher: Boston : B.B. Russell
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library

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lf miles.The entire superficial area is about 2,400 acres; the assessed areabeing 1,255 acres. The place was naturally nearly destitute of trees,but by care there are now nearly 150 acres of oak, beech and walnut.The geological formation is miocene tertiary. At the western extrem-ity, the wild and fantastic cliff, Gay Head, rises to the height of 134feet above the sea. This is crowned by a lighthouse, whose lantern is173 feet above the water. The point affords splendid views of Vine-yard Sound, the Elizabeth Islands, and the nearer shores of the main-land. This cliff is an extensive field of study for the geologist, and is fullof interest for the intelligent visitor. A section across Gay He id,says Prof. Hitchcock, four fifths of a mile long, displays tw mty-three bright-colored bands of clay, sand and conglomerate, ligniteand iron ore. The clays are white, blood-red, dull-red, yellow andgreen. The conglomerates contain fragments of bones and of teeth, IU, ■■■■■«■ III III
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GAY HEAD, MARTHAS VINEYARD. GA Y HEAD. 325 cemented to the stones. Cut into innumerable forms by the inces-sant action of the sea, this beetling headland, belted with rainbow-colors, awakens the admiration of all who approach the coast, andpresents a lesson of profound significance to the scientist. The Devils Den, at this place, is a natural depression in the form of abowl. It is about 1.200 feet in circumference and 100 feet deep, but isopen toward the sea. It has the appearance of being the crater ofan extinct volcano. Here, says an Indian legend, resided the giantMaushope. Here he broiled the whale on fires made of the cedarswhich he tore up by the roots. After separating Nomans Land fromGay Head, changing his wife into an ugly rock on Saconet Point, andperforming other supernatural feats, he left the island. The Indiansmay have been led to construct this legend from finding fossil skele-tons of huge sea-animals here, and from believing the black ligniteto be the remains of huge f

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