66 TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



the neutral ground between the fortress and the 

 Spanish lines, which are protected by the two forts 

 of St. Barbara and St. Philip, but extends all round 

 the bay to the Spanish town of Algesiras, situated 

 on the west side of it. The quicksand consists of 

 rolled pieces of quartz, flinty slate, a yellowish 

 jasper-like stone, and limestone.* 



We crossed this little sandy desert in going from 

 Gibraltar to visit the Spanish lines and Algeshas. 

 At the frontier posts were a few Spanish troops of the 

 line garrisoned in small houses ; and, being unprotect- 

 ed from the beams of the sun, have a very disagree- 

 able abode during the summer months : we obtain- 

 ed permission to visit the Spanish territory in our 

 scientific excursion. Besides a few small gardens 

 round the dwellings, we saw nothing on this strand 

 except some single strand plants, which but sparingly 

 cover the poverty of this tract, which the wind has 

 raised into sandhills. Lizards, several species of 

 Pimelia, Copris, and Scarites, are the chief inhabit- 

 ants (of the animal kingdom) of this sandy soil. 

 Proceeding this way along the coast we passed two 

 inconsiderable streams. Nearer to Algesiras we 

 entered a little grove of pines. The town itself, a 

 well-built pleasant place, enjoys a delightful situa- 

 tion. To the west of it, are gently rising hills, 

 adorned with lovely verdure, scattered pines and 

 cork trees; and from their summits a charming 



* Germar mentions, after Chrysogono, in particular, the 

 existence of horns. 



