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PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



[Oct., 1857. 



recent on our coast. The siliceous, sandy particles constitute 

 about forty per cent, of the rock, the remaining being entirely sol- 

 uble in acids. These rocky fragments appear to be thrown, by 

 the action of the waves on the beach, from deeper water, but I 

 found no one who could give me any information with regard to 

 the rock in situ, such as might be obtained by fragments drawn 

 up on anchors or fishing lines ; rocky bottoms, or anchorages, 

 appeared to be well known, but the character of the rock had at- 

 tracted no attention. In cavities in the rock, and also in cavities 

 of shells attached to the rock, are found small crystals of carbon- 

 ate of lime, of the form known as dog-tooth spar. I have never 

 seen this rock on the beach of Sullivan's Island; and on the Wac- 

 camaw beaches have only found fragments of shells, containing 

 crystals of carbonate of lime in their cavities. On the beach, near 

 high water mark, are seen at different points, stumps of palmettos, 

 remains of roots of cassena bushes, {Ilex cassine,) which once formed 

 thickets; also barrels, indicating the site of old wells formerly 

 used by the inhabitants. All these remains indicate the encroach- 

 ments of the ocean, particularly the effects of the gale of 8th Sept. 

 1854, which were very severe. That gale is said to have de- 

 stroyed a line of low hills, or bluff, with its covering of thickets of 

 cassena, spanish-bayonet, palmettos, &c. which skirted the ocean, 

 and served as a defence for the dwellings situated behind it; 

 several dwellings are now left in a very exposed situation. The 

 south-western extremity of the island is chiefly a sandy flat, whose 

 appearance seems to indicate a gradual increase at this end of the 

 island; of this point, however, the residents are more competent 

 to judge. North-easterly of this flat, sand hills appear, but ol 

 moderate height only; the chief accumulation of sand, in the form 

 of hills, some twenty or twenty-five feet high, being near the north- 

 eastern end. Between these points are the greater number of the 

 dwellings situated, near the inner or land side of the island, or 

 back beach, along which runs a road forming a general means of 

 communication between the different parts of the village. Adja- 

 cent to this road and to the lanes leading from it to the various 

 groups of dwellings, is the chief portion of the verdure of the 

 island to be found ; the sand hills being tenanted by a small num- 

 ber of species only. An examination of the Flora of the island, 

 made at such opportunities as a short stay of one week, and the 

 intense heat of the last days of August would allow, furnishes the 

 following catalogue. 



