Moreover, this agency may long escape discovery from
the probability of trees, especially those loaded with stones,
floating beneath the surface. In the channels of Tierra del Fuego
large quantities of drift timber are cast upon the beach, yet it is
extremely rare to meet a tree swimming on the water. These facts
may possibly throw light on single stones, whether angular or
rounded, occasionally found embedded in fine sedimentary masses.
During another day I visited West Islet, on which the vegetation
was perhaps more luxuriant than on any other. The cocoa-nut trees
generally grow separate, but here the young ones flourished beneath
their tall parents, and formed with their long and curved fronds
the most shady arbours. Those alone who have tried it know how
delicious it is to be seated in such shade, and drink the cool
pleasant fluid of the cocoa-nut. In this island there is a large
bay-like space, composed of the finest white sand: it is quite
level and is only covered by the tide at high water; from this
large bay smaller creeks penetrate the surrounding woods. To see a
field of glittering white sand representing water, with the
cocoa-nut trees extending their tall and waving trunks round the
margin, formed a singular and very pretty view.
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