ON QUICKSAKDS. 



IX. 



319 



On the Dangers encountered in travelling over Downs, occufianed 

 by Quickfands, xvhich are frequentlj/ fouiid on the ScaCoaJi', 

 'with an Indication of the Means of avoiding them. By 

 M. BiEMONTiER, Infpeaor-General of Bridges and Roads.* 



X^FTER heavy and continued rains, there are formed at Quickfands 

 the edge of the fea-downs, fmall pools, or coileaions of ^"/J.^^^ J^/^Jjf'" 

 water, frequently of feveral feet in depth. Strong winds ported by the 

 diflodge portions of fand from the general mafs, and tranfport ^j"*^ '"^^ P°°'s 



iU . in 1 - 1 /• 11- • n I 1 of water, where 



them to a diltance; which tailing m mowers on the clayey they form vault- 

 and flieltered furface of thefc pools, defcend gradually, and ^^ cavities till 



.,., . . , -.or, the hollow of 



remain as it were m equilibrium in the midlt or the water, the pool is filled 

 fo as to form an infinity of little vaulted cavities. Thefe "?• 

 arches fuftain others, which are again furmounted in a fimilar 

 manner, till at length the mafs rifes, fometimes to feveral feet 

 above the level of the water; the furface becomes white and 

 dry, and the fnare lies perfe61Iy concealed. Whoever walks The furface is 

 over this flruflure deftroys the whole, the arches give way, and differ" in"p" ^ 

 the intruder is'immerfed fometimes to his waift j but his alarm pearance from 

 is ufually greater than the real danger ; for if he were buried LoumT'lfuTv 

 even up to the neck, he might eafily extricate himfelf, only by gives way when- 

 retaining fufficient prefence of mind not to ftruggle, but to ^'"°'^ "P°"' 

 move flowly and deliberately ; want of aUention to this might 

 hazard his deftruftion. 



When the equilibrium of the mafTes of fand Is deflroyed. Management to 

 they naturally fall into heaps, and it is only neceflary that ^^'° ^"Ser* 

 time fliould be allowed for this to take place. When this has 

 happened, the perfon immerfed fliould gently lift up one leg, 

 and remain in that pofition till the fand has formed a fufficient 

 bottom to fupport his raifed foot; the other leg ftiould tliea 

 be lifted up with the fame precautions ; and thus fucceffi vely, 

 til! he rifes to the furface. In the mean time, the water 

 which had been confined in the hollows of the fand will have 

 alfo rifen, forming a pond (three or four inches deep) through 

 which the adventurer may pafs in perfect (afety. 



* Bibliotheque Phyfico-Economiciue, &c, de Soniui, November, 

 1805, page 186. 



Cows. 



