Too often does the unfortunate mariner experience the bitter effects of quicksands in immediate connection with the large shoal off Hasborough: while the surface on its inner side is covered with water eighteen or twenty inches deep, within a short distance is as many fathoms. Between the spaces loose sands exist to a great depth; and, therefore, only those well acquainted with this circumstance, can possibly escape destruction, for should a vessel strike the fore part of her keel on the more solid portion of the shoal, numerous instances can be adduced where the stern has sunk foremost into the quicksands, and hull, masts, and every thing belonging to her, have been engulphed in a very short time, and sometimes, probably, before those on board have had an opportunity to make their escape. An off-shore wind on this coast blows from west to south, and causes all heavy bodies, stones, &c., to be brought towards the shore; which are left between high and low water mark on the ebbing of the tide. CHAPTER VIII. THE GENERAL FEATURE OF THE CLIFFS CONSIDERED—CAUSES OF IRREGULARITY, AND THE GEOLOGICAL STRATA COMPOSING THEM. THE cliffs {55} extending from Hasborough to or a little beyond Cromer, are found, upon approaching near, to be extremely irregular. In some places small promontories or points project, in others small bays are formed, according to the influence of the sea, and the materials composing their structure. Their perpendicularity is partially averted from the fallen masses deposited at their base; which, where the cliffs are lofty, are often considerable; arising either from the sand or clay beneath the more solid strata being removed; or the landslips which ensue, from fresh water springs abounding in certain localities. Thus, in the winter of 1825, a fallen mass was precipitated from near the light-house at Cromer, which covered twelve acres, extending far into the sea, the cliffs being two hundred and fifty feet in height; and Mr. Lyell observes, the undermining by springs has caused large portions of the upper part of the cliffs, with houses still standing upon them, to give way, so that it is impossible, by erecting breakwaters at the base of the cliffs, permanently to ward off the danger. The wasting of the cliffs is also accelerated from other causes—the continuation of strong north-easterly winds, of drought producing fissures from their superior surface downwards, heavy rains, and after severe and successive frosts. The cliffs generally consist of clay, sand, and loam. By some writers they have been termed mud cliffs, from their dark colour and general appearance. Mr. Lyell includes them in a series called the Boulder formation. Mr. Woodward, in his Outline of the Geology of Norfolk, considers them to be of diluvial origin; but upon close inspection, they are found to contain strata and fossils which partake of the characters and may be ascribed to various parts of the tertiary period.