246 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



are none; cattle must either get their own feed from 

 the thin, sparse grass among the palms or in the 

 swamps, or a negro must every day cut in the swamps 

 a supply of reeds and coarse grass and bring it in to the 

 house, if for their milk the cows are kept up. In like 

 manner with horses. Corn-stalks and blades serve for 

 winter feed. In certain regions on the river St. John's, 

 it is said that no cow can live or keep sound much 

 longer than 12 months. The exact reason for this has 

 not been made out, but it is believed the trouble is due 

 to some injurious plant. Swine, demanding the least 

 care and attention, thrive here excellently well, feed- 

 ing on acorns and chestnuts and roots. At the Gover- 

 nor's farm was a Chinese hog (Sus Scrofa chinensis 

 L.) which by its short feet, hanging, dragging belly, 

 and softer bristles was distinct from the European 

 breed; it had been brought from the East Indies by a 

 ship returning thence. 



The so-called North Beach is a peninsula to the 

 north of Augustin, extending 4-5 miles. The North 

 River divides it from the mainland ; it is a dry, barren 

 sand, mostly covered with young evergreen oaks and 

 creeping palms. The sand along the shore has been 

 bleached by sun and water to such a dazzling white 

 that it is painful to the eye to look long upon it. It is 

 raised by the merest breath of wind and blown about 

 like snow. On the sea-side the waves have thrown up 

 a wall 6-9 ft. high, which looks to be an artificial wall 

 and runs from south to north. Behind this dike there 

 is low, broken land, in which many little bulwarks or 

 hills are to be distinguished, cutting across from east 

 to west, and making different divisions as it were. 

 Along the rivers and brooks, as far as the tide reaches 



