CHAP. I.] 



SAND FOEMATIOX. 



lo 



sion by the currents, soon extend to north and south, 

 and force the rivers to flow behind them in search of a 

 new outlet. 



These formations once commenced, their growth pro- 

 ceeds with rapidity, more especially on the east side of 

 the island ; as the southern current in skirting the 

 Coromandel coast brings with it quantities of sand, which 

 it deposits, in tranquil weather, and this being carried 

 by the wind-is piled in heaps from Point Pedro to 

 Hambangtotte. At the latter point hills are formed 

 of such height and dimensions, that it is often necessary 

 to remove buildings out of their line of encroachment. 1 



At the mouths of the rivers the bars thus created 

 generally follow the direction of the 

 current, and the material deposited 

 being dried and partially consolidated 

 in the intervals between the tides, long 

 embankments are gradually raised, be- 

 hind which the rivers flow for con- 

 siderable distances before entering the 

 sea. Occasionally their embouchures 

 become closed by the accumulations 

 without, and the pent-up water as- 

 sumes the appearance of a still canal, 

 more or less broad according to the 

 level of the beach, and extending for 

 miles along the coast, between the 

 mainland and the new formations. 

 When swollen by the rains, if not as- 

 sisted by artificial outlets to escape, 

 the rivers burst new openings for 

 themselves, and not unfrequently leave 

 their ancient channels converted into shallow lagoons 

 without any visible exit. Examples of these forma- 



1 This is occasioned by the waste 

 of the banks further north during the 

 violence of the N. E. monsoon ; and 

 the sand, being carried south by the 



current, is intercepted by the head- 

 land at Hambangtotte and throws up 

 these hills as described. 



