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II.—Æolian Drift or Blowing Sand, Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

Extract

In many parts of the world large accumulations of blowing sand exist, either on the sea-board or inland. When inland it usually is composed for the most part of silicious particles; but when in the neighbourhood of the sea, it is more or less mixed with shells, corals, etc.; moreover, it may merge into shell-sand, a highly calcareous Drift, formed of the débris of shells, coral, madrepore, and other marine organic remains.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1871

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References

page 155 note 1 Agassiz and others have noted vast thicknesses of Meteoric Drift in parts of Brazil.

page 155 note 2 Only localities of which the writer has personal knowledge are mentioned in these notes.

page 156 note 1 The tracks of ancient glaciers are quite conspicuous in the valleys in Yar-eonnaught, and those of Kerry mentioned above. Of the other valleys the author cannot speak personally.

page 157 note 1 There are sand deposits on the sea-board, but as the writer is not thoroughly acquainted with them, they are not mentioned in these notes.

page 157 note 2 I do not mean to assert that none of the sand was formed recently by meteoric action, but I now believe the mass of it is glacier-formed.

page 158 note 1 These supposed glacier-formed sands must not be confounded with the accumulations of shell sand that are found in many places on the Irish sea-board, and often contain from 70 to 90 per cent, of calcareous matters.