_ 54 Miscellaneous Geological Topics 
which have existed at various depths between the surface of the outs 
and the sand below. 
FERTILITY OF THE CANE DISTRICT; INFLUENCE ON WATER. — 
Notwithstanding the unevenness of this district of country, as be- 
fore observed, it is the most fertile of all the regions of the South, 
and for this it is indebted chiefly -to the cane. Previous to the ap- 
' pearance of this vegetable, the soil which was very fine and: easily 
“acted upon by rain, continued to descend, carrying leaves, wood and: 
the molluscous testacea in its course, which, in process of time, pro- 
duced this stratum of clay, so remarkable for its fineness and loose- 
ness. ‘Thus it was that every facility was afforded to the solution of 
this stratum in water, so as to afford on its arrival a speedy and luxu- 
riant growth to the cane. It was then that the surface of the earth 
was for the first time, in this region, enabled to enjoy repose. It was 
then, that the deposit of wood and leaves, was confined to the very 
228 first received them. And it was then, on account of. the 
fallen leaves and timber, that the rain water was caused to experience 
insurmountable difficulties in obtaining a passage on the surface of 
the earth. It was, therefore, driven below; here it met with less 
difficulty, readily pursuing the course of the cane roots, which had 
already penetrated the earth in every possible direction. It -was 
here that. the water, assisted by the roots of trees, which enabled it 
to descend lower, found a ready outlet. Thus a way of escape was 
provided: but it was done at the expense of the stratum of clay; 
as the water passed on, it carried with it much of the earth, which 
lay immediately beneath and about the roots of the cane and trees. 
This removal of the earth produced a corresponding subsidence of 
the superincumbent trees and cane, and of the earth, which filled up 
the interstices of the net work. When the roots again seized upon 
the earth below, they obtained a temporary and uncertain hold; but 
the water, again accumulating on a declivity, has, in some instances, 
burst forth, carrying downwards, for a considerable extent, both the 
cane and the soil; the breach is, however, soon repaired ; the sur- 
cane roots run in and quickly penetrate the earth in every 
2 manner, and render the fortification doubly strong. ‘Thus 
the land was imperceptibly sinking and forming frightful hollows and 
mangled ridges, with their sides fluted and grooved to such a degree 
that the cultivation, in many places, is rendered almost impracticable. 
Yes, this secret and unsuspected removal of the earth was going on 
Ree 
