188 THE NATURALIST IN BERMUDA. 
May we not account for this occurrence by supposing the 
salt water in the hold of the vessel to have been so 
thoroughly saturated with sugar, as to render it incapable of 
holding more in solution, and from the superior gravity of 
this saturated water, and the probable small amount of leak- 
age in the ship’s bottom, little disturbance could take place 
with the external waters of the ocean? In no other way 
can I understand how so large a portion of sugar could re- 
main immersed in sea water for many days without apparent 
injury. —J. L. H. 
THe SAND Hitrs.—On the south shore of the Bermudas, 
about midway between their east and western extremities, 
and not far from Paget Church, is to be found an extensive 
drift of comminuted shell, which from its resemblance to 
ordinary sea sand, is generally termed the “Sand Hills.” — 
This accumulation of drift shell extends along the shore 
for upwards of half a mile, and advances inland for nearly 
the same distance. It appears to be of very recent: date. 
In every south and southerly breeze, the driven shell may 
be observed moving briskly over the gradually ascending 
surface of this drift, and gently rolling down the elevated, 
and even slopes of its extreme inland termination, at an 
angle of about forty-five degrees, filling up the undulations 
of the surface of terra firma, and burying in its onward 
progress cedar groves and cottages. The accumulation is 
rapidly increasing, and, viewed from the higher ground near 
Hamilton, is seen towering above the steeple of Paget's 
Church. 
In high winds the driven shell is carried to a considerable 
distance beyond the accumulated drift, and then resembles 
a haze or mist overhanging that portion of the neighbourhood. 
