

CHAPTER III. 



THE SANDS AND THEIR PRODUCTIONS. 



LARGE tracks of sand, exposed to the atmosphere, are 

 proverbially monotonous and desert. Their surface is 

 too loose and uncertain, and water finds its way through 

 them with too great facility, to admit of the growth of 

 a varied vegetation or to afford food and shelter to 

 many animal inhabitants. In a great measure, this 

 barren character applies to extensive sand deposits 

 under the sea ; and yet the sandy sea-shore has many 

 attractions which the sandy land-down cannot boast of. 

 The constant flow of the ocean binds together the un- 

 settled particles of sand, and the retreat of the tide 

 from such a coast, if it afford the visitor no other en- 

 joyment, gives him a delightfully smooth and firm 



