NORTH AMERICA* 
187 
We approached the favanna at the fouth end by 
a narrow ifthmus of level ground, open to the light 
of day, and clear of trees or bufhes, and not greatly 
elevated above the common level, having on our 
right a fpacious meadow, embellimed with a little 
lake, one verge of which was not very diftant from 
us ; its more is a moderately high, circular bank, 
partly encircling a cove of the pond, in the form 
of- a half moon; the water is clear and deep, and, 
at the diftance of fome hundred yards, was a large 
floating field (if I may fo exprefs myfelf) of the 
Nymphaaa nelumbo, with their golden bloffoms wav 
ing to and fro on their lofty (terns. Beyond thefe 
fields of Nymphaea were fpacious plains, encompafied 
by dark groves, opening to extenfive Pine forefts, 
other plains ftili appearing beyond them. 
This little lake and furrounding meadows would 
have been alone fufficient to furprife and delight the 
traveller ; but being placed fo near the great fa- 
vanna, the attention is quickly drawn off, and wholly 
engaged in the contemplation of the unlimited, va- 
ried, and truly aftonifhing native wild fcenes of 
landscape and perfpe&ive, there exhibited : how 
is the mind agitated and bewildered, at being thus, 
as it were, placed on the borders of a new world ! 
On the fir ft view of fuch an amazing difplay of the. 
wifdom and power of the fupreme author of nature^ 
the mind for a moment feems fufpended, and im- 
preffed with awe. 
This ifthmus being the common avenue or road 
of Indian travellers, we pitched our camp at a fmall 
diftance from it, on a rifmg knoll near the verge 
of the favanna, under fome fpreading Live Oaks: 
this fituation was open and airy, and gave us an un- 
bounded profpect over the adjacent plains. Dewy 
evening 
