NORTH AMERICA 
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 ftrait 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 roafted, and is food for almoft all 
animals. The Indians obtain from it a fweet oil, 
which they life in. the cooking of ho mm any, rice, 
&c. ; and they alfo roaft it in hot embers, eating it 
as we do chefnuts. 
The wind being fair in the evening, I fat fail again, 
and crofting the river, made a good harbour on the 
Eaft fhore, 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 extenfive and varied profpect of the river 
and its fhores, up and down. 
Behold yon promontory, projecting far into the 
great river, beyond the ft ill lagoon, half a mile dis- 
tant from me : what a magnificent grove arifes 
on its banks ! how glorious the Palm f how ma- 
jeftically (lands the Laurel, its head forming a per- 
fect cone ! its dark green foliage feems filvered over 
with milk-white flowers. They are fo large, as to 
be diftinflly vifible at the diftance of a mile or more* 
The Laurel Magnolias, which grow on this river, 
are the moft beautiful and tall that I have any 
where feen, unlefs we except thofe, which ftand 
G 2 on 
