SUMATRA. 19 
tance from k, and like the Ikortcs in an arch of mafoflry, prevented each 
others nearer approach. That ifland however does not experience the 
vie iiB rude of land and fea breezes^ being too fmall, and too lofty, and 
fituated in a latitude wbere the trade or perpetual winds prevail in their 
utmofl force. In fandy countries the effeft of the fun^s rays penetra- 
ting deeply, a more permanent heat ts produced, the confequence of 
which fhould bc^ the longer continuance of the fea breeze in the eve- 
ning ; and agreeably to this fuppofition I have been informed, that on 
the coaft of Coromandel, it feldom dies away before ten at night. I 
fhall only add on this fubje^t, that the land wind on Sumatra ts cold, 
chilly and damp ; an expofure to it is therefore dangerous to the health, 
and keeping in it, almoft certain death. 
The foil of Sumatra 
covered with a ftratum or layer of black mould, of no confiderable 
depth* From this there fprings a ilrong and perpetual verdure, of rank 
grafs, brufh wood,, or timber trees, according as the country has re- 
mained a longer or feorter time undifturbed by the confequences of po- 
pulation, which being in moft places extremely thin, it happens that at 
leaft three parts in four of the ifland, and to the fouthward a much greater 
proportion, is an impervious foreil. 
Along the weflcrn coaft of the liland, the low country, or fpacc of unerennefs oS^ 
land which eixtends from the fea Ihore to the foot of the mountains, is ^"'^f*'^** 
interfered and rendciva ^**mTo*v n TiTrprifine deeree* by fwampsi 
Whofe irregular and winding courfe may in fome places be traced in 
a continual chain for many miles, till they difcharge thcmfelves either 
kito the fea, fome neighbouring lake, or the fens that are fo commonly 
found near the banks of the larger riversj and receive their overflowings^ 
in the rainy monfoons. The fpots of land which thefe fwamps en- 
eompafs, become fo many iflands and penmfulas, fometimes flatted at 
top, and often mere ridges ; having in fome places a gentle declivity, 
and in others defcending almoft perpendicularly to the depth of 
an hundred feett In few parts of the country of Bencoolen,, 
or 
