320 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 
in the lower portion. It becomes less compact and lighter in color 
as the lower part of the stratum is approached, a white sand being 
frequently encountered underlying the stratum and within the 3-foot 
section. The material of this layer runs high in organic matter 
and very low in iron, and although the rusty brown color would 
suggest cementation with iron the analyses indicate that the com¬ 
pactness is due to the presence of organic matter. The substratum 
is lacking in some phases. 
LEON FINE SAND. 
The surface soil of the Leon fine sand consists of from 4 to 6 
inches of light-gray or white fine sand, frequently containing suffi¬ 
cient organic matter to give it a dark-gray color. To an average 
depth of 28 inches an incoherent, white fine sand practically free 
from humus is found, usually resting upon a stratum of hardpan. 
This hardpan stratum is a compact layer of fine sand of varying 
thickness, containing considerable organic matter. The upper part 
of the stratum is dark brown to almost black, the material grading 
into brown, looser fine sand below. In some localities this hardpan 
is not encountered within the 3-foot section. 
The type occupies level to gently undulating country. The 
natural drainage is poor, partly on account of the level surface and 
partly as a result of the underlying hardpan, which doubtless hinders 
to a greater or less extent the free movement of soil moisture, ren¬ 
dering the soil wetter in rainy seasons and more droughty in dry 
seasons. This is one of the “flatwoods” soils. It is usually asso¬ 
ciated with the Portsmouth fine sand, but Accupies a slightly higher 
position. 
The forest growth consists of scattering long-leaf pine and scrub 
oak. Besides this it supports also a thick growth of palmetto, gall- 
berry, myrtle, oak-runner, and wire grass. It is generally considered 
an unproductive soil and practically no attempt has been made to 
place it under cultivation. 
Leon line sand, rolling phase .—The surface 4 inches of the Leon 
fine sand, rolling phase, is a light-gray fine sand, resting on a white 
fine sand to a depth of 3 feet or more. Several feet below the sur^ 
face there is frequently encountered a layer of pale-yellow sand of 
similar texture. The material consists almost wholly of quartz 
particles. Besides the difference in topography the rolling phase 
