NORTH AMERICA. 
S3 
which continue to grow in nearly an horizontal di- 
rection, each limb forming a gentle curve, or arch, 
from its bafe to its extremity. I have ftepped above 
fifty paces, on a (trait line, from the trunk of one 
of thefe trees, to the extremity of the limbs. It is 
evergreen, and the wood almoft incorruptible;, 
even in the open air. It bears a prodigious quantity 
of fruit ; the acorn is fmall, but fweet and agreeable 
to the tafte when loaded, and is food for almofi all 
animals. The Indians obtain from it a fweet oil, 
which they ufe in the cooking of hommony, rice, 
&c. ; and they alfo roaft it in hot embers, eating it 
as we do chemuts. 
The wind being fair in the evening, I fet fail again, 
and crofiing the river, made a good harbour on the 
Eait more, where I pitched my tent for the night. 
The bank of the river was about twelve or fifteen 
feet perpendicular from its furface, but the afcent 
gentle. Although I arrived here early in the even- 
ing, I found fufficient attractions to choofe it for my 
lodging-place, and an ample field for botanical em- 
ployment. It was a high, airy fituation, and com- 
manded an extenfivc and varied profpeel of the river 
and its mores, up and down. 
Behold yon promontory, projecting far into the 
great river, beyond the ftill lagoon, half a mile dif- 
tant from me : what a magnificent grove arifes on 
its banks ! how glorious the Palm ! how majeftically 
Hands the Laurel, its head forming a perfect cone ! 
its dark green foliage feems filyered over with milk- 
white flowers. They are fo large, as to be dif- 
linctly vifibie at the difiance of a mile or more. The 
Laurel Magnolias, which grow, on this river, are 
the moll beautiful and tall that I have any where 
feen, unlefs we except thofe, which Hand on the 
G 2 banks 
