440 OnthsSANDHILLS 



or to have injured the enamel of the teeth. The Neptuni- 

 an theory of geogeny, has now very generally taken place 

 the old volcanic fyftem, and, as far as conjedure and hy- 

 pothefis can forward fcience, it is certainly more generally 

 applicable. But along the coaft of Virginia,* a procefs is 

 going forward, the refult of which will be exactly fimilar, 

 and in which water has i\o immediate Ihare. 



The fliore, and the bed of the Atlantic near the fhore, 

 confift of a fine fand. The daily adion of the flood tide 

 carries a certain quantity of this fand above high water 

 mark, which being dried by the fun and air, is carried fur- 

 ther in land by the winds. The moft violent winds on 

 thi'o coaft, blow from the points between the N. Weft and 

 the Eaft ; and befides, a gentle eafterly breeze prevails the 

 whole fiimmer, during Ibme part of almoft every day. 

 This eafterly wind, which is in fadl a trade wind, is felt 

 as high as Williamfburg. It is faid to be felt, at this 

 day, higher in land than formerly, and to be annually ex- 

 tending its influence ; and it will no doubt, when the woods 

 fhall be more cleared away, blow health and coolnefs over 

 a portion of lower Virginia, which is now confidered as 

 extremely unhealthy. 



Thefe eafterly winds blowing during the drieft and hot- 

 teft feafon of the year, carry forward the greateft quantity 

 of fand, and have amafled hills, which now extend about 

 a mile from the beach. The natural level of the land, ele- 

 vated little more than lo feet above high watermark, has 

 a very gentle declivity to the eaft. It is now a fwampf of 



about 



* I fpcak only of the coaft of Virginia at Cape Henry : for although I 

 have the beft reaibn to believe tliat the fame natural procefs has produced all 

 the fand banks, iflands, and fand hills from the Delaware to Florida : I have 

 only txa7!ihtcd that part of the coaft, which is the fubjeft of the prefent me- 

 moir. 



t By afwamp I exclufively mean a piece of ground, the furface of Vv-hich 

 is vvet and foft, but which has a found bottom. In this it differs from the Dif- 

 mal fv.'amp, much of which is afojor viorafs- Into the latter, a pole of any 

 manageable length may be forced with great eafc. 



