250 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



a very fine appearance, and from small fragments one 

 can very nearly determine what varieties of shells en- 

 tered into the composition. In the quarries it is seen 

 that the stone is in layers. It is hardest at a depth ; 

 but the uppermost couches are still so soft that they 

 may be rubbed to sand with the finger. This stone is 

 found here almost anywhere a few feet beneath the 

 surface; how far down it extends, nobody has in- 

 vestigated. In the light-house a well has been dug 

 through this shell-rock, and the water is very good at 

 a slight depth, although salt water is not ioo yards 

 distant. I could not learn whether anywhere farther 

 inland the same shell-stone is found. But if so, it lies 

 presumably deeper below the surface. 



East Florida, as regards sickliness, has often been 

 judged with the same disfavor which experience at- 

 taches to the southern parts of North America gen- 

 erally ; but without reason. Augustin itself is widely 

 known to be a healthy place, so that weaklings and 

 consumptives from the northern provinces resort 

 hither, and always to their advantage. The garrison 

 troops of the 6oth regiment, who were formerly here, 

 gave further confirmation of this in their very small 

 sick-list. The situation of the town, so near the sea, 

 brings it during summer the refreshing sea-winds 

 which prevail between 8 and 9 of the morning, purify 

 the air, and temper the heat. But the same advantage 

 is enjoyed in a measure by the whole province of 

 East Florida, which is only a low point of land be- 

 tween the gulf and the Mexican Bay and hence the 

 passage of the cool morning winds over the entire 

 country, (not over 80 English miles in mean breadth), 

 is unchecked. And notwithstanding the land is pene- 



