39 Captain Bayfield on the 
evidently been onal by the prevailing N. W. winds. Gales 
of wind heave up the sand far above the usual water mark. 
At times of comparative tranquillity, the sand becomes soon 
dried by the sun, and is then easily acted upon by the winds, 
and carried in great quantities into the interior, as we have 
often observed. New beaches were in process of formation 
parallel to, and outside of the present : : hence there is a cons 
stant accumulation of sand upon this part of the coast ; the 
supply for which arises from the destruction of the sandstone 
cliffs to the westward, by the incessant action of the wavess 
which, it has been mentioned, form immense caverns, &e. 
and which, doubtless, by undermining, frequently bring down 
thousands of tons of this rock, which being of mechanical 
formation in thin strata, is easily disintegrated and reduced 
to sand. The progress of this sand to the eastward is assisted 
by the set of the waters of the lake towards their outlet, for 
we observed along this part of the coast, near the shore, a 
slight current in that direction. No doubt this current is 
stronger, (we observed it in August, ) in the spring of the yeare 
when the several hundreds of rivers to the westward, on this 
side of the lake, are filled to overflowing with the produce of 
the winter snows. It is remarkable that their entrances were 
all directed to the east. A long point of sand extending from 
their western points, ran to the east across their mouths, leave 
ing an entrance several hundred fathoms down the coast. In the 
dry season, the smaller streams are completely closed, and the 
river is then barred with sand. After having been some time 
shut up, these rivers occasionally form a new outlet through a 
part of the sandy barrier which had been long formed; disclo- 
sing to view vast numbers of trees which had heen Jong buried 
in the alluvial sand and mud. This last contains the shells of 
the lake, and not unfrequently the bones of fis shes, birds, and 
small land animals, brought there by the eagles, fish hawks, 
bears, foxes, &c. which usually bring their prey to such un= 
frequented spots, for the purpose of devouring it at leisure. 
The 
a 
il dealli: ai  i M i O y 
