SEPTEMBER. 405 



commence directly in front of the house, which is ornament- 

 ed with the neat and elegant Cassena (Holly) hedge and some 

 flower beds. The proprietor has recently superseded the 

 board kirb with the beautiful Enonymus japonica, (the most 

 suitable edging that could be planted near the salt water 

 south of 36° latitude.) In the centre of one bed stands an 

 old denizen of the forest, here called " Cabbage Tree," or 

 Palmetto Cabbage, in consequence of the centre of the stem 

 near the base of the leaves being used for culinary purposes. 

 A few cassenas, oleanders, &c., with a superabundance of 

 cedars are the next objects which meet the eye ; also, a field 

 of palmetto trees, remarkably picturesque, interests the lover 

 of nature, especially one who has been accustomed to tend 

 with care the palm in hothouses. But now, let us throw our 

 vision beyond the land into the calm and placid waters. Not 

 a ripple is seen on the surface of this beautiful lake-like 

 sound ; the tide is gently ebbing into the bosom of the deep, 

 and now it is low water, we gaze on it with bewitching 

 pleasure ; it is about twelve miles long, and from four to six 

 broad. It is comparatively small, but it has a degree of in- 

 terest about it which cannot fail to fill the beholder with 

 pleasure. Hilton Head Island bounds it on the north, north- 

 east, forming a kind of crescent ; the beach being covered 

 with white shells, contrasts finely with the sombre hue of the 

 pine and palmetto which skirt the margin of this sound. In 

 spring, the distant scene is enlivened by the admixture of the 

 tender foliage of deciduous trees, consisting of oaks, maples, 

 . hickory, ash, &c. There is also to be seen at intervals a 

 plantation settlement, having the appearance of a small vil- 

 lage, the proprietor's mansion always peering above the 

 others, but all partaking of the same clean and healthy ap- 

 pearance from the use of lime or paint. 



As we look directly north is to be seen a small island in 

 the sound, covered with cassena, oaks, and other trees and 

 shrubs, and several other islands of salt marsh. Looking more 

 westward, stretches out miles of salt marsh, which, in spring, 

 resemble a magnificent lawn, or cultivated field under some 

 cereal grain crop. In the back ground, beyond this marsh, 



