The Cornish Blown Sands

Abstract

IN the description of the raised sea beach at Newquay, which Sir Henry De la Beche has given in his “Survey of Devon and Cornwall,” he makes no reference to a curious feature observable in a part of the beach, and to which I should like to direct attention, with a view to obtaining some explanation of the cause of its formation. As far as I know, the appearance is only to be found at one spot, on what is known as Little Fistrel, to the westward of the town. It consists of a number of cylinders of indurated sand, separated from each other by thin walls, often only an inch or two thick, and forming the base of the cliff or bank, which is perhaps 10 or 15 feet high at the place. These cylinders rest upon a bed of rock (argillaceous slate?), which runs down from the bottom of the bank to the sea in a series of shelving ledges. The cylinders, which are locally known as Pixie Holes, weather out from the bank, but unfortunately few or none of them are now to be seen in a perfect state, their walls having been broken down by people scrambling up the bank, and also by quarrying operations, which I learn have recently been carried on close by. I am told that formerly the cylinders were very perfect, and often of large size; I myself have seen them, fifteen or sixteen years ago, standing up like little towers along the base of the cliff, and I have often sheltered myself perfectly from a shower of rain by standing in one and covering myself with my umbrella. I have recently had a photograph taken of the best group to be found, and a copy of this, together with a piece of the wall of one of the cylinders, is with Mr. Goodchild, of the Geological Survey, Jermyn Street, who will show it to anyone interested in the matter; the size of one of the cylinders photographed is 51 inches deep and 281/2 inches in diameter.