192 ~ GEOLOGICAL SURVEY | 
they are soon covered with such sand-loving plants as Uniola paniculata and Croton maritima, 
and even Pines and Palmettoes, and the hills become stationary. 
The inclination of the planes up which the sand is driven often amounts to 45°, and taken in 
connection with the size of the particles, would furnish a rude anemometer, by which the force of 
the winds producing the hills might be estimated. They are often marked on the surface by 
minute ridges, in all respects similar to ripple marks: these are the result of very gentle winds. 
Sections of the hills present exactly the same appearances, as regards diagonal bedding, as are seen 
in sections of the older Tertiary sands, which were doubtless deposited in water. 
The prevailing winds of the coast are indicated by valleys running through the hills intersect- 
ing those that were thrown up by winds blowing from other points.” 
It was curious to see Palmettoes and other trees growing out of what seemed to be pits in these 
hills, for the sand did not close in upon the trunks, but formed an inverted cone, in which the trees 
stand. I suppose that is due to an eddy current produced around the trees, which whirls the sand 
outwards and upwards. ‘Trees, and even houses, are, however, often covered up by these blowing 
sands, and future Geologists will be puzzled with the remains that they will enclose. 
There are few circumstances, I apprehend, better calculated to teach man lessons of humility, 
than the approach of one of these to his dwelling. I saw one, on the coast of Horry, under such 
circumstances. It had already shut out from the house a magnificent view of the Atlantic, and its 
base had almost reached the yard gate. Although its advance was grain by grain, its progress was 
as irresistible as a torrent of lava from a voleano. There was nothing to be done but to look on, 
and hope that something might occur to change its path. , 
It is fearful to see how completely they defy man’s efforts to resist or even retard their progress, 
as they encroach upon his domain. 
At first sight it seems strange that they are not blown farther inland from the coast, instead of 
being confined to a narrow range, no where exceeding half a mile in breadth. They are arrested 
by the plants, as [ have already stated, that immediately cover them when they are raised above 
tide. 'The Cedars, Myrtles, and other shrubs that are invariably found on the land side, break the 
force of the winds, and in this way are they kept within certain limits. This suggests the only 
practicable mode of arresting these blowing sands. 
-On this portion of the coast there are no islands, and the range of sand-hills is on the main land. 
The reason of this is, simply, that there are no rivers. 'The Waccamaw flows along parallel with 
the shore, and drains the intermediate land; so that, for twenty miles, there is an uninterrupted 
beach, along which a carriage may roll, at low-water, without leaving on the hard sands the slight- 
est impress of its track. 
South Island, on Winyaw Bay, is a long narrow strip of sand-hills. Between this and Cat 
Island there is a marsh one and a half miles wide, and extending to the Santee; it is drained by 
Mosquito Creek. The sand-hills are stationary, excepting immediately on the shore, and are the 
sites of pleasant summer residences. Between this and Murphy’s Island the same range continues 
to S. Santee. 
Similar features characterise the whole coast: a sandy beach bordering the ocean, in which littoral 
«Appendix A. Meteorology, 
