I 
1811. DEEP SANDS. 
could scarcely have been fixed in a spot worse suited for inland traffic. 
Standing, as it does, at the extreme corner of the country, the num- 
ber of places within a moderate distance is diminished to one-fourth ; 
while the length of road from one-half of the number of farms is thus 
doubled, if compared with what their distance would have been, had its 
situation been more central. Besides which, the number of miles of 
incurably heavy sand, by which the town is surrounded, render it still 
more difficult of access. Yet, in a country like this, destitute of 
rivers capable of admitting ships far inland, the capital can flourish no 
where but on the coast, and therefore can be placed centrally in one 
way only ; that is, either with respect to the length of the colony, or 
to its breadth. 
From Salt River, my walk led me in a south-easterly direction 
to the last windmill ; beyond which, ascending the higher ground, is 
a heath of pure sand, loose, and exceedingly white. It was quite 
covered with Hcemanthus coccmeus in full bloom, the red flowers of 
which formed a fine contrast with the snow-white soil, and produced 
a very singular and curious effect. Among them was a variety with 
white flowers. * 
The wind, blowing very strong, seemed ill-naturedly disposed to 
put a stop to all further observations, by leaving no other alternative 
than walking with my eyes shut, or being blinded with showers of 
sand. In many parts of the Isthmus, this sand is carried from place 
to place by the wind, in such quantities, that, in some spots, the 
bushes exhibit their roots standing bare, and exposed to the at- 
mosphere ; while, in others, they are nearly buried, leaving no part 
visible but the tops of their branches. The large mounds, which are 
here frequently met with, have been formed originally by the sand 
thus accumulating round either a single bush, or a clump of bushes. 
* On the Flats, a little beyond the windmills, grow, — 
Erica mucosa Erica margaritacca ? 
Erica gracilis ? Erica verticillafa 
Erica concinna Blairia cricoides ? 
Erica cerintlioides 
