OCT.— DEC. 1856.] Sand-binding PlanU of the Mad. Beach. 85 
YI. Nohilce Botanicce No. L On the Sand-binding Plants of 
the 3Iadras Beach. Btj Hugh Cleghorn, m. d. 
Having lately been requested by the Military Board to examine 
the condition of the South Beach, between the Saluting Battery 
and Saint Thome, Tvith a view to consolidate the drifting sand 
thrown up near Colonel Cotton's groynes, I endeavoured to estimate 
the comparative value of tlie different species of maritime plants in 
preventing the encroachuients of the sea on the land, and in fixing 
the loose soil along the shore. All that seems worthy of mention 
has been condensed in the following short notice of these useful 
plants, which originally appeared in Journal of the AgrkuUural 
and Horticultural Society of Lidia, vol. IX. part II. 
The wide-spreading roots and under-ground stems of the sand- 
binding plants extend themselves in quest of food, and thus be- 
come interwoven together, so as to sustain the soil in a sort of 
basket-work, and consolidate the sands thrown up by the waves of 
the ocean. If it were not for the subterranean stems of these sea- 
side plants, which can vegetate amidst dry and drifting sand, the 
banks which man heaps up as a barrier against the sea would be 
blown away by the first hurricane. In Holland, the great sea- 
dyke preventing inundation, owes its stability to these plants, 
creeping Graminese are employed, which are carefully protected 
under the instruction of Government. Along the shore of Great 
Britain, as in Lincoln, Sufi'olk, &c., the quantity of dry land has 
been much increased by the propagation of the Bent star or Sand 
Carex {Carex arenaria) and Lyme grass {Ehjmus arenarius). 
Let us cast a glance at the localities under consideration. On 
this low coast, the wind which blows alternately over the sea and 
from the land, but more continuously from the sea, propels land- 
wards the sand, which collects in a succession of parallel ridges — 
these gradually advance, and year by year fill up any hollow de- 
clivities, or gain on the vegetable soil which is buried. The ac- 
