WEST DEVONSHIRE. tsS 



(hells, and fifteen grains of an earthy 

 fubftance, which refembles, in colour and 

 particles, minute fragments of burnt clay, 

 or common red brick. 



Thefe fands are raifed in different parts 

 of. Plymouth Sound, or in the harbour j 

 and are carried up the elluaries, in barges ; 

 and from thefe, on horfeback, perhaps five 

 or fix miles, into the country ; of courfe at 

 a very great expence : yet without difcri^ 

 mination, by men in general, as to their 

 fpecific qualities. The fhelly kind, no 

 doubt, brought them into repute, and in- 

 duced landlords to bind their tenants to the 

 life of them ; but without fpecifying the 

 fort ; and the bargemen, of courle, bring 

 fuch as they can raife, and convey, at the 

 lead labor and expence *. 



But the ufe of fea fand has been for fome 



time 



* It is probable that the fpecimen firft mentioned, is 

 ^bove par, as to quality. I have fecn fand of a much 

 {leaner appearance, travelling towards the fields of this 

 quarter of the country : and, near Biddeford, in North 

 JDevonfhire, I coile6led a Ipecimen, under the operation 

 of " melling" with mold, which contains eighty grains 

 percent of clean filiceous fand ! 



