Cape Cod

a curved cape and peninsula forming the southern boundary of Massachusetts Bay. It is about sixty-five miles in length and varies from a mile to twenty miles in width. The surface consists largely of bogs and shifting sands. The inhabitants are engaged in fishing and other occupations, depending largely on the sea. A canal has been proposed to shorten the distance by sea from Boston to southern ports. Cape Cod was discovered by Captain Gosnold in 1602, and the name was given because of the number of codfish taken near it. Thoreau has written a very interesting volume, entitled Cape Cod, in which he makes many shrewd and instructive observations. The chief town is Provincetown, reached by rail. See Dunes; Cranberry; Gerrymander