SHORE, a place washed by the sea, or by some large river. Count Marsigli di vides the sea-shore into three portions ; the first of which is that tract of land which the sea just reaches in storms and high tides, but. which it never covers ; the second part of the shore is that which is covered in high tides and storms, but is dry at other times; and the third is the descent from this, which is always cover ed with water. The first part is only a continuation of the Continent, and suffers no alteration from the neighbourhood of the sea, except that it is rendered fit for the growth of some plants, and wholly unfit for that of others, by the saline steams and impregnations ; and it is scarcely to be conceived by any, but those who have observed it, how far on land the effects of the sea reach, so as to make the earth proper for plants which will not grow without this influence ; there being several plants frequently found on high hills, and dry places, at three, four, and more miles from the sea, which yet would not grow, unless in the neighbourhood of it, nor will ever be found elsewhere. The second part or
portion of the shore is much more affect ed by the sea than the former, being fre quently washed and beaten by it. Its productions are rendered salt by the wa ter, and it is covered with sand, or with the fragments of shells in form of sand, and in some places with a tartarous matter, de posited from the water : the colour of this whole extent of ground is usually dusky and dull, especially where there are rocks and stones, and these covered with a slimy matter. The third part of the shore is more affected by the sea than either of the others, and is covered with an uniform crust of the true nature of the bottom of the sea, except that plants and animals have their residence in it ; and the decayed parts of these alter it a lit tle.