HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



throws down parts of the old out-works ; but the gla- 

 cis of Fort Wellington next to the sea, is strongly faced 

 with large masses of grey limestone from Tournay, which 

 will probably long withstand the action of that element. 

 Among the sandhills we found cut-leaved elder (Sambu- 

 cus nigra var. y), and sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rham- 

 noides). Hordeum maritimum was not uncommon by the 

 sides of the devious path through the downs; and Anchusa 

 officinalis appeared in one or two spots. In some places, 

 near the Fort, small wisps of wheat-straw had been push- 

 ed deep into the sand, in order to arrest the blowing. In 

 other places. Arundo arenaria and Elymus arenarius, had 

 been planted, but in a slovenly and injudicious manner. 

 The sandflood still proves very troublesome ; and Fort 

 Wellington was in many parts almost blocked up with 

 drifted sand at this time. 



Numbers of peasant women who had been at market 

 with country produce, were now plodding their weary way 

 homeward, along the firm beach from which the sea had 

 retreated, seated on their asses, between the two empty 

 panniers. They formed an extensive irregular cavalcade 

 more than a mile in length, and produced altogether quite 

 a novel and foreign scene. 



From Ofstend to Bruges. 

 In the afternoon, we set off for Bruges^ by a commodious 

 barge, dragged by two horses, along a noble canal. This ca- 

 nal is from 80 to 100 feet wide: it is upon one level, or has 

 only a Bea-lock at a place called Sass, from whence it goes 

 nearly in a straight line to Bruges, which is perhaps. about 14 

 miles distant. It is kept in excellent repair, the banks being 

 (Upported with stake and rice work of willow and alder. The 

 country, as far ;«s the eye could embrace it, was quite level. 

 Thi ' ropa were ry< , wheat, barley, buckwheat, Hax, beans 



