In Chapter IX. the deposition of embankments is referred to as it affects slips and subsidences in earthwork, but in an enclosure embankment an additional precaution is particularly necessary, namely, that immediately tipping from the ends increases the velocity of the flow of the outgoing or incoming tidal water through the opening, and consequently augments its scouring action; its deposition from a spurn head should be abandoned, and the embankment be uniformly raised from the base. The employment of cofferdams, piling and planking for effecting a closure is now generally discarded in favour of the horizontal system of equally raising the height of an embankment from its base; and is even to be preferred to fascines, unless the latter are merely used to distribute the weight over the base, to protect the surface of a slope, or form a shield against scour either temporarily or permanently. In previous chapters the protection of a slope is examined; here some reference is made to the particular preservation of the slopes of an estuary or reclamation embankment. When the protection afforded is not uniform care must be taken that although it makes one part secure it does not weaken another. In the case of river-banks in a soil that is in a delicate state of equilibrium, it may occur that soon after one portion has been protected, another is being scoured, whereas previously it was stable; therefore, to prevent localization of the erosive action, whether on the foreshore of an estuary, reclamation, or a river-bank, and consequent slips and subsidences, the covering should extend over a considerable length. In a sheltered position simply sodding the slopes may be effectual. Some other means of protection are a hard chalk or gravel counterfort founded a few feet below the ground at the toe of an embankment, and a covering of similar chalk or gravel upon the slope, should the soil be favourable. When an embankment of earth in an estuary or river is of firm soil and only requires to be made proof against wave action, stones may be simply deposited evenly upon a slope and so that they will not be washed out, and pitching be not required, as the rough face will tend to break up the waves; but where a simple covering is adopted, whether close or comparatively loose, the slope should be straight, as a concave form causing a recoil of the waves will in time damage or separate the face shield. A coating of clay about 2 feet in thickness, upon a slope with stakes driven into it, and large bushy boughs of trees fixed thereon with the tops downwards, is frequently used in India as a protective cover to a crumbling bank of a river, and to training spurs erected to prevent erosion and slips. Mattresses, fascine or wattled work, besides being expensive, will slide down a slope unless well secured to it, and therefore a constant strain is produced as in all stake-held coverings; it has also been observed by