CHAPTER V.

THE SANDS.

Origin of Sand--Sand now carried down to the Sea--The Sands of Egypt and the adjacent Desert--The Suez Canal--The Sands of Egypt--Coast Dunes and Sand Plains--Sand Banks--Dunes on Coast of America--Dunes of Western Europe--Formation of Dunes--Character of Dune Sand--Interior Structure of Dunes--Form of Dunes--Geological Importance of Dunes--Inland Dunes--Age, Character, and Permanence of Dunes--Use of Dunes as Barrier against the Sea--Encroachments of the Sea--The Lümfjord--Encroachments of the Sea--Drifting of Dune Sands--Dunes of Gascony--Dunes of Denmark--Dunes of Prussia--Artificial Formation of Dunes--Trees suitable for Dune Plantations--Extent of Dunes in Europe--Dune Vineyards of Cape Breton--Removal of Dunes--Inland Sand Plains--The Landes of Gascony--The Belgian Campine--Sands and Steppes of Eastern Europe--Advantages of Reclaiming Dunes--Government Works of Improvement, 451