CHAPTER VI. 



THE SAND HILL REGION. 



The sand hill region of South Carolina stretches across the State from 

 the Savannah river, opposite to Augusta, to the intersection of the North 

 Carolina line by the Great Pee Dee river. The average distance of its 

 lower border, among the Red Hills, from the sea, is about ninety-five 

 miles. Its length is one hundred and fifty-five miles. Its width is 

 variable; the maximum, which is reached in Lexington county, is about 

 thirty miles, and the average width will hardly reach twenty miles. It 

 occupies the larger portion of five counties, viz : Aiken, Lexington, Rich- 

 land, Kershaw and Chesterfield. The upper j^ine belt, ascending the 

 eastern bank of the Congaree river, in Richland county, until it touches 

 the granite rocks of the Piedmont region at Columbia, divides the sand 

 hill region into two portions, an eastern and a western portion. 



THE PHYSICAL FEATURES. . 



The physical features of this region are of a monotony aptly charac- 

 terized by the term " pine barren," applied to it. The hills slope up 

 from the Savannah river to a plateau, having an elevation at Aiken C. H. 

 of about six hundred feet above the sea level. Beyond the North Edisto 

 river the gradual ascent is resumed, until an elevation exceeding seven 

 hundred feet is reached in Piatt Springs township, in eastern Lexington, 

 whence there is a rapid descent of more than five hundred feet in a short 

 distance to the Congaree river. East of this stream the rise is again 

 gradual, and the maximum elevation is reached on the northeast border of 

 Richland county, where the hills again descend abruptly to the Wateree 

 river. Beyond this river there is no data as to levels, except that on the 

 water shed of the Great Pee Dee there is evidence as to extensive denudation 

 of the surface to a depth of at least one hundred and fifty feet. The evidence 

 is furnished by a conical hill rising in central Chesterfield one hundred 

 and fifty feet above the surrounding country, and known as Sugar Loaf 



