Tracts relative to the Island of St. Helena; written during a residence of five years ... Illustrated with views engraved by Mr. William Daniell, from the drawings of Samuel Davis

Front matter

1 WEntu. - 1 A////y > ■ /'//// , A , ///'//■//// . ' ./■>/' TRACTS RELATIVE TO THE ISLAND OF ST. HELENA; WRITTEN DURING A RESIDENCE OF FIVE YEARS. BY MAJOR- GENERAL ALEXANDER BEATSON, LATE GOVERNOR, &c. &e. &c. ILLUSTRATED WITH VIEWS ENGRAVED BY MR. WILLIAM DANIELL, FROM THE DRAWINGS OF SAMUEL DAVIS, ESQ. LONDON : PRINTED BY W. BULMER AND CO. CLEVELAND-ROW ; AND SOLD BY G. AND W. NICOL, BOOKSELLERS TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL ; AND J. BOOTH, D UKE-STREET, PORTLAND-PLACE. 1816. TO THE HONOURABLE THE COURT OF DIRECTORS FOR THE AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED EAST INDIA COMPANY, THE FOLLOWING TRACTS, RELATIVE TO THE ISLAND OF ST. HELENA, ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR MOST FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED HUMBLE SERVANT, ALEXANDER BEATSON. London : 1st January, 1816.

Preface

. It had long been very generally supposed that St. Helena was a rocky and unproductive island ; mostly devoid of soil ; scantily supplied with water ; subject to severe and unusual droughts ; abounding with rats, and wholly incapable of extensive cultiva tion, or improvement. Whether these notions have originated with early writers, or in hearsay information of passing.-- isitors, or in wilful misrepre sensation to answer particular ends, it is unnecessary in this place to enquire. It will be sufficient to observe, th&t they were very prevalent, both in England and at St. Helena, at the period of my appointment to the Government ; and that soon after my arrival, having reason to believe they were neither supported by facts nor appearances, I considered it my duty fully to inves tigate the whole ; so as to ascertain whether or not those obstacles to improvement really did exist.

The means that were pursued will be found interspersed throughout the first part of this Work. The results have been most satisfactory ; for they have not only exposed the fallacy of all such notions, but have most clearly demonstrated that many parts of St. Helena, so far from being desolate and barren, are pre-eminently fertile ; that the island, in general, is capable of

PREFACE.

. the highest improvements, both in the cultivation of corn, and all sorts of vegetables ; and in raising valuable plantations of fruit and timber trees. Being aware that investigations of this nature could only be interesting to a few, and that there are certain points on which information will naturally be expected in a work treating of St. Helena, I have therefore endeavoured to adapt it to a more general class of readers. Accordingly, I have prefixed an Intro ductory Chapter, which comprises Geological Facts, tending to illustrate the primary formation ofthe island; Observations on its Mineral and Vegetable Productions ; Soil and Climate, and Seasons ; capabilities of Improvement, and on its singular Strength and Security as a Military Station. These additional subjects, together with a detailed account of the Mutiny in 1811 (the only historical event deserving notice since the year 1808), and a List of Indigenous and Exotic Plants growing at St. Helena, and some other matters contained in the Appendix, will put the reader in full possession of every mate rial fact that has come to my knowledge, or that has occurred, during my residence of five years.

The whole is illustrated by Six Views of the most interesting parts, and by a Geological Plan and Elevation. I therefore indulge a hope, that this attempt to convey to the public more just ideas of this extraordinary island, may prove acceptable. The List of Plants, or a Flora of the island, was communicated by my deceased friend Doctor Roxburgh, a few days before his death. It is therefore the last work of that indefatigable botanist ; whose meritorious exertions in improving botanical science, and

PREFACE.

IX in applying it to useful economical purposes, are well known to the public. The Views are engraved by that excellent artist Mr, W. DanieU, from the drawings of my friend Samuel Davis, Esq. They are most faithful representations, and are peculiarly valu able, as illustrations ofthe geological and military observations. The Plan and Elevation of the Island are compiled from the Survey, and the measurement of heights, taken by Major Rennell ; and from some other documents. In a book entitled " Tracts/' I did not deem it necessary to touch upon the history of St. Helena : I wished also to preserve uniformity, by confining this work wholly to subjects that have never yet appeared before the public ; and to prevent enlarging it beyond the bounds I had prescribed. To those who are desirous of information upon the localities of the island, from the period of its discovery to the year 1807, I beg to recommend to their perusal Mr. Brooke's History of St. Helena, published in 1808 ; which is drawn from the most authentic sources, and is replete with accurate information.

In attempting to introduce improvements upon an island where the arts of agriculture were little understood ; where lands were cultivated by manual labour, without the aid of animals ; and where prejudices in favour of old customs were strong, , it was obvious there could be no hope of amendment without the evidence of successful examples. It was therefore necessary to have recourse to experiments. Ploughs, and other implements were introduced ; the labouring population was increased by the introduction of about three hun dred Chinese ; and an improved system of husbandry was carried *b

PREFACE.

. X on, under the direction of an experienced Norfolk farmer. But it was a long time before the generality of the islanders would even look at these improvements.* They regarded them as "mere foolishness;" said " they might do very well in Eng " land ; but that in a mountainous country the plough could " never answer ; that their forefathers had done very well with the " hoe, and they saw no use or necessity for these new things." At length, however, when they did perceive the facility with which extensive fields were broken up ; the rapidity with which they were prepared by the plough, and the excellent crops of potatoes and corn that .vere raised, they acknowledged the supe riority of English farming ; and many of the most respectable soon afterwards followed the example. Besides giving examples in the use of the plough, and in the new culture of potatoes, and of corn, it was deemed proper to explain the principles, and to point out the advantages of the new husbandry.

With this view, I prepared short agricultural essays, (detailing the progress and results of the experiments) which were printed, for general information, in the St. Helena Monthly Register. Thirty of those essays have been selected for the First Part of this Work. , They are placed in the order in which they were written. The Table of Contents points out the sections wherein the several subjects are at first discussed, or afterwards resumed ; so that no inconvenience can arise from this arrangement : on the contrary, it was the only mode of shewing the progressive steps that were taken to convey useful information to the landholders ; and to excite amongst them a spirit of emulation in cultivation and planting. * Section XIII. p. 81.

PREFACE.

. XI The complete success which has attended my efforts to im prove the husbandry of St. Helena ; and, above all, to substitute the plough for the spade and hoe, are circumstances not unde serving the attention of those who have valuable estates in the West India islands. According to Mr. Bryan Edwards's state ment, founded upon his own experience, it appears, that by using the plough, in the operation of holing a sugar plantation, the labour of slaves is only about one-twentieth part of that which is required when the same work is performed by the hoe. In breaking up lands, and preparing them for corn and potatoe crops at St. Helena, it might easily be proved, that the reduction of manual labour, by the use ofthe plough, has been in a much greater proportion. If, then, the plough were employed wherever the nature of the lands will admit, in all those countries where the hoe is in general use, and consequently where the demand for manual labour is excessive, it seems reasonable to infer, that such a change would be productive of infinite advantage.

The necessity for manual labour would thereby be reduced, and the bodily fatigue of the unfortunate slaves would be lessened ; which would, in all probability, lead to a greater increase of the present stock. By such means, all those inconveniences, whether real or imaginary, that are apprehended from the abolition ofthe Slave Trade, might, in the course of a few years, be effec tually removed. Since the abolition of slavery at St. Helena, which took place in the year 1792, there has been an augmentation in the black population, which consists of three classes : the slaves of indivi-

PREFACE.

. duals ; the Company's slaves ; and free blacks. It was intended to have shewn the actual augmentation during a period ot nineteen years, that is, since 1793 : but, upon examining the lists in my possession, it was found that, until the year 1803, the Com pany's slaves and free blacks were excluded. On this account I have been obliged to confine the comparison to the period be tween the years 1803 and 1812 ; by which there appears to have been an increase of 148 from a stock of 1539 men, women, and children. {See Appendix II.) CONTENTS. Introductory Chapter. — Comprising Geological facts, tending to illustrate the Primary Formation ofthe Island ; Observations ou its Mineral and Vegetable Productions, Soil and Climate; Capabilities of Improvement ; and on its singular Strength and Security as a Military Station, pag-e i to lxxxvii.

Part I

Section I. — St. Helena once a woody Island — cause of its Denudation — Plans proposed for restoring Wood, and extending Cultivation — the Institution of Goat ranges injurious — Extermination of the Goats recommended, - Pagc 1 Section II. — Experiments in the Culture of Potatoes — Comparisons of Manures — extraordinary Power of Guana, or Sea-fowl Dung, as a Top-dressing — Hints to Proprietors of Islands and Rocks in Scotland, 10 Section III. — Easy mode of Thrashing, Cleaning and Preserving all Sorts of Grain, as practised in India, and various Parts of Europe, recommended in the Infancy of St. Helena Farming, - - 25 Section IV. — Experiments illustrating the beneficial Effect of frequently stirring the Soil, - 28 Section V. — Feeding Chickens — an Exposition of the unreasonable and exorbitant Prices of Poultry at St. Helena, in 1811, - 31 Section VI. — On Planting Trees — Growth of Pineasters — remarkable Change in the Quality of Fir Timber in St. Helena — extensive Plantations of Pineasters recommended — Mimosa Myrtifolia {or Botany Bay Willow,) its rapid growth — yields innumerable Pods, containing a sort of Pulse fit for feeding Poultry- — its Culture recommended, - - 32 * c CONTENTS.

Section VII— On Potatoes— ttvo Crops in the Year— extensive Culture recommended— solid Nourishment of, compared with Flour — Culture of Corn recommended as a green or dry Fodder for Cattle — -former heavy Losses in Cattle ascribed to improvident management— Notices of dry Seasons and Losses in Cattle from the year 1724 to 1792.— Seasons of Drought produced by the Operation of some general Cause — severe Drought at St. Helena in 1791-2 pervaded the Peninsula of India ; and felt at Montserrat in the West Indies, - - - page 36 Section VIII. — .Modes proposed lo the Landholders for averting the Evils incident to Seasons of Drought, 44 Section IX. — On Pineaster Trees, 47 Section X. — On Guana, or Sea-fowl Dung — and Experiments in the Culture of Mangel Wurzel, - - - 50 Section XI. — On naked Barley or Barley Wheat — Report and Opinions of Warren Hastings, Esq., and of Sir Hugh Inglis, on the Utility and Importance of this valuable Corn — Singular Account of its Introduction at St. Helena, - - - - - 59 Section XII. — On clearing Lands of Grubs — Detail of a Set of Experiments, by which is ascertained an effectual Mode of clearing Lands of those destructive Insects, - - - - - 68 Section XIII. — Notes of Experiments in the Culture of Wheat, Barley, and Oats — green Crops of Fodder recommended — Suggestions for the Improvement of the Pasture Lands — Evil Effects of Feeding a Population — Comparison of Exports from the Farms in 1789 and 1809. — Plans suggested for improving the Island, 77 Section XIV. — Observations upon the Rainy Seasons, from the year 1711 to 1811 — Notices on the Fall of heavy Rains , fine Shoicers, and drizzling Rain, from the >st of January 1806, to the 3\st December, 1811 — erroneous Notions upon the Effects of heavy Rains at St. Helena; sometimes damage the low Grounds, but always favourable to cultivated and pasture Lands.

Abstract of the Fall of Rain from February 1811 to February 1812, ------ gg CONTENTS. XV Section XV. — On the Culture of Barley Wlieat — Produce, per Acre — The tenth Part of an Acre, dibbled, yielded 405 for 1 — Deductions which prove that from 5-j- Ounces of Seed, 900 Bushels of Corn might be produced in nine Months at St. Helena — successful Experiment in Malting and Brewing from Island Barley Wheat, - Page 96 Section XVI. — General Observations on Green-fodder Crops — would prevent Losses of Cattle in Seasons of Drought — One Acre equivalent to Fourteen Acres ofthe best Pastures — Indian Corn, or Maize, cultivated in France, and at the Cape of Good Hope, as Cattle Fodder — Its produce at St. Helena, in less than Four Months from the period of Sowing, was Thirty Tons per Acre.

Remarks on the Culture of Kidney Beans — Green-fodder Crops of these recommended, 99 Section XVII. — On Adherence to Old Customs, - - 111 Section XVIII. — Calculator's Confessions; and his Opinions on the new Husbandry at St. Helena, - - - - 115 Section XIX. — On the Importance of introducing Agriculture on the Island — Erroneous Notions regarding Rats ; not more numerous at the Farms than in England — successful Method of destroying them, - 124 Section XX. — On Transplanting Wheat— further Remarks on Grubs — and on Barley Wheat, - 134 Section XXI. — On Terracing Lands, and preparing the Sides of Hills for Cultivation, - - - - - - 141 Section XXII. — Useful Notices on Husbandry at St. Helena— Crops liable to Attacks of Caterpillars and Aphides — Crops not liable to Injury from those Insects — Lord Bacon's Idea of the Generation of Caterpillars apparently substantiated — .Method tried to prevent their Generation — the Haulm of Potatoes suggested as an auxiliary Food for Cattle — Experiments to determine the Produce of Coss Lettuce — yields, in three Months from the period of Sowing, about 15 Tons per Acre — an excellent Food for Hogs, ----- 146 Section XXIII. — Homefolding of Sheep recommended, - CONTENTS.

Section XXIV. — Progress of Agricultural Improvement in 1810-12— beneficial Effects of extending Cultivation — the Government commend the Exertions of some, and animadvert on the Obstinacy and Idleness of others— flourishing State of St. Helena in the year 1675, - page 161 Section XXV. — Feeding Sheep with Potatoes, and .Soiling Cattle recommended, ------- 165 Section XXVI. — Doctor Berry's official Letter to Governor Beatson — suggests the Culture of Kew Nopal and Cactus Tuna, the Arabian Date, and Guinea Grass — Doctor Berry's fermenting Balls an excellent Substitute for Yeast — Captain Haig's Report on Nopal— a nutritious and valuable Antiscorbutic, - 168 Section XXVII. — Reply to Doctor Berry's Letter — English Husbandry acknowledged by St. Helena Farmers superior to their Own — Soil and Climate peculiarly favourable to Cultivation — Accounts received of the spreading Property and Re-production of Potatoes upon Islands in ihe South Seas — Experiments to ascertain these Points — Lead to a Singular and Advantageous Mode of Potatoe Culture in tropical Climates. — Potatoes a good Preparation for Corn Crops. — Fishery at St. Helena formerly Productive — Evils of the present System — Improvements suggested. — Establishment of Chinese at St. Helena — Differs from that generally adopted — Their Pay, Rations, and Occupations. — Trees attract Moisture and Rain — Cultivated Land has a similar Tendency. — Experiment in reaping Barley Wheat — Yields per Acre 10| Tons of green Fodder, in two Months from the Time of Sowing — Loss of Weight when hayed 100 Pounds in 146. — Hints suggested for ascertaining the relative Moisture imbibed by cultivated and uncultivated Land. — Nurseries of Trees established at St. Helena. — Pineasters preferable to Arabian Date for Clothing the Summit of the Hills. — Favourable Report of Doctor Berry's Fermenting Balls, - - - 17g Section XXVIII. — Mr. Miller's Directions for rearing Scotch Pine are applicable to the Pineaster — St. Helena Pineaster Wood described — weightier than common Fir — thrives upon poor Soil — average Growth CONTENTS.

XVII about two Feet in the Year — sometimes grows more than three Feet. Plantations of Firs at St. Helena more profitable than in Europe — Computation of their Value in twenty Years. Negligence and Inattention to the planting Law much to be regretted — The fittest Trees for St. Helena Plantations enumerated — Further Notices upon the Growth of Trees — and upon the necessity of extirpating Goats, and tending Sheep, ----- page 191 Section XXIX. — Means of collecting Water on the driest Parts of the Island, and Observations on the Advantages resulting from this Practice, 198 Section XXX. — Further Observations on the Importance of planting Trees at St. Helena, ------ 201

Part II

Narrative of the Mutiny, in December, 1811, 207 Appendix. — An Alphabetical List of Plants, seen by Dr. Roxburgh growing on the Island of St. Helena, in 1813-14, - - 295 Appendix II. — Abstract of the Population and Cattle on the Island of St. Helena from the year 1683 to 1812, extracted from the Records, 327 Appendix III. — The largest Produce of Corn obtained at the Company's Farms in 1814, . - - - - 329 Appendix IV. — List of Seventy-six different Species of Fish at St. Helena, ib. DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. 1 James Town, St. Helena, to face the Title-page. On the left is Rupert's Hill, at the base of which are seen several buildings on the wharf. Towards the centre is the fleur d'eau battery, behind which stands the Governor's town residence, called the Castle.

To the right ofthe castle is the church and other buildings in the tovvn. The mountain on the right is Ladder Hill, surmounted bv fortifications ; which completely command the town and anchorage. II. . . . James Town and Ladder Hill, to face the first page of the Introductory Chapter. This View is taken from the wharf. It also represents the fleur d'eau battery, and the same buildings behind it, as in No. I. ; together with the commanding fort of Ladder Hill, and the zig-zag roads leading to it from the town. The white object on the right, a little way up the hill, and just above the bow of the boat, is Patton's Battery. The Lines across the Front of James Town, to face page lxxxviii. This View is taken from the west extreme ofthe lines. The declination ofthe strata of Rupert's Hill is accurately represented, which could not be shewn in the two preceding Views, owing to the farther parts of the hills receding from the point of sight.

On the left extreme is Munden's Battery, with a flag upon it ; and along the wharf is nearly a front view of the several houses, store-rooms, and cranes. III. IV James Town viewed from the Road to Longwood,*- /acepag-?58. This View conveys a perfect idea of the position of James Town, situated in a narrow valley between two hills. On the left is Ladder Hill, with its fortifications, opposite to wliich is Rupert's Hill. The DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER, &c. XIX V VI VII whole of the path, which leads from the town, is completely com manded by the cannon of Ladder Hill, Saddle Battery, and High Knoll. The last fort is not seen, but it is situated about 400 yards on the left ofthe point from which this View is taken. The Waterfall at the Head of James's Valley, to face page 110. This is a beautiful object close to, and within sight of the Briars, at present the residence of William Balcombe, Esq. The mountain of High Knoll, rising abruptly at the distance of about four hundred yards from the Briars, and the opposite craggy hill, give a wildness and grandeur to this scenery which surpasses every other on this romantic island.

View towards Sandy Bay, to face page 200. In the fore-ground is Mount Pleasant, the country residence of W. W. Doveton, Esq. On the left of his dwelling is a singular perpen dicular rock of great height, named Lott. The back-ground of this view is composed of rugged and barren hills, totally denuded, although it appears by the official records, that in former times they abounded with ebony trees. It is remarkable that on the summit of Lott, some trees remain which have escaped the depredations of the goats. Geological Plan and Elevation of St. Helena, to face page 292. The Plan is compiled from Major Rennell's Survey, and other docu ments. The elevation represents the altitudes, above the sea, according to his measurements ; which are as follows. Diana's Peak - - 2700 feet. Cuckold's Point - - 2672 Halley's Mount * - - 2467 Flag Staff - - 2272 The Barn - - - 2015 Alarm House - - 1960 High Knoll - 1903 v Long Wood House - - - X////.V A'//'// AA_ ' ///////'/' ////., A , A/y/yy/^y he Island of St. Helena being extremely remote from all con tinental land and other islands,* and so very singular in its appearance and structure, has been justly considered a proper subject for philosophic investigation.

Of its primary formation different opinions are entertained. Some ascribe its elevation above the surface ofthe ocean, wholly to subterranean operations : whilst others contend, from the striking dissimilarity between the exterior and interior parts, that it is the remnant of a large island, of which the greater part has been sunk under water by the force of earthquakes and volcanoes. Although conjectures of this sort are sometimes founded upon rather a superficial view of things, and without that knowledge of facts which can alone lead to probable conclusions, yet, from all I have observed, during a residence of five years, it seems to me that the last of these conjectures, which is that adopted by Mr. Forster, is the most plausible. If this conjecture could by any means be satisfactorily verified from the facts I am about to relate (some of which have hitherto wholly escaped notice) it seems to me that it would be highly * St. Helena is distant 1 200 miles from the Coast of Africa ; 1 800 from South America ; 600 from the Isle of Ascension ; and 1200 from Tristan d'Acunha and Gough' s island. b important in the progress of geology.

It is well known that islands have emerged from the sea ;* but we have no record (ex cepting the tradition of the Atlantica Insula) ofthe immersion of any large portion of land by the effects of volcanoes and earthquakes. In viewing the hills on the east and west sides of James's Town from the anchorage, particularly the north end of Ladder Hill, we observe numerous strata rising from the base to the summit (600 feet above the level of the sea) which bear evident marks that the whole of this huge mass, extending several hun dred yards to the westward, has been formed by a long series of floating lava. The extreme ends of the strata on the coast, are placed horizontally : but upon examining the sides of the hills, the lava seems to have descended, at a depression of about 20 degrees, and apparently from a crater somewhere about the site of the waterfall, j* Of this crater no positive vestige remains : yet there are some appearances which might lead to a supposition that the present waterfall may have been its southern edge, or extremity — that it was bounded on the north-west by High Knoll, and that sub sequently to the formation of that mountain and Ladder Hill, some tremendous explosion opened a chasm, extending from the sea to the waterfall, and at the same moment, by tearing away, * In the year 1707 three or four islands were, by some violent convulsion, produced in the most southerly part of the Archipelago.

The largest of these is called Santorini, and is as large as St. Helena, being ten leagues in circumference : but in ( ther respects it seems totally different, being a rock of pumice stone, covered with only nine or twelve inches of earth. ■_■ An exact representation of the waterfall is given in Plate II. The summit is 1250 feet above the level of the sea. The stream descends uninterruptedly, 260 feet. and precipitating, a large portion of High Knoll into the crater, may have extinguished it. This conjecture is at least plausible (if not clearly verified) by the appearance of High Knoll. The western side is sloping, and the base of that part (extending more than 1200 yards from north to south) rests upon the surface of Ladder Hill ; whilst the eastern side is a stupendous precipitous cliff, the foot of which stands in James's Valley, at least 260 feet lower than the opposite base on Ladder Hill.

In short, High Knoll, which rises 1903 feet above the level ofthe sea, is decidedly but a fragment of what it has originally been. One third at least of this mountain has been precipitated to the eastward, apparently close to the water-fall, and into that very spot whence the eruptions of lava seem to have proceeded, and afterwards descended, even to the northern extremity of Ladder Hill : a distance of 3000 yards. The disruption of High Knoll has exposed to view many layers of lava, from the base almost to the summit, which may be traced throughout the whole distance to the north extreme of Ladder Hill. Hence it seems reasonable to infer that High Knoll was raised by the eruptions of a volcano. The strata on the east side of Ladder Hill point directly to High Knoll and the waterfall : and it is remarkable that there are several layers near to High Knoll, high up the cliffs, from which salt springs ooze, and more especially during the rainy seasons.

These layers have the same declination as the other strata. There is moreover a very singular vein of red clay on the eastern side, and near the summit of Ladder Hill (two hundred yards above the level ofthe sea) which corresponds in dimensions, ele vation, and colour, with another vein on the opposite hill. Several strata of slimy mud, very strongly impregnated with marine salt, are also to be seen on the same face of Ladder Hill ; one at the perpendicular height of 30, and another at 300 feet. Hence it may be inferred, more especially from the correspondency ofthe veins of red clay, that some violent convulsion has laid open the chasm which is now called James's Valley. Although, from all these circumstances, it seems almost demon stratively certain that the hills on each side of James's Valley have been gradually raised by eruptions from a volcano, succeeded some time after by tremendous shocks, yet upon viewing many other parts ofthe coast, and the interior ofthe island, we find no such decisive indications from wliich a similar deduction can be formed : but there are many indubitable proofs of considerable agitations, or changes, apparently unaccompanied with volcanic eruption.

The most plausible arguments in support of Mr. Forster's opinion, " that St. Helena has undergone a great and total " change from a volcano and earthquake, which perhaps sunk the " greatest part of it in the sea," may be adduced from the cir cumstances of the Great Wood ; now called the Plain of Long Wood and Dead Wood. This plain, comprising 1500 acres of fine land, is elevated 2000 feet above the sea, and slopes gently towards the south east. In former times it was covered with wood, and was there fore called " The Great Wot»d." So late as tin* year 1716, there were many trees upon it : but in 1724 the old trees had mostly fallen ; and, as goats and hogs were at that time suffered to range, all the young trees were devoured. It appears also by the official records that the trees were, unexpectedly, some years after, succeeded by indigenous wire grass ;* which now spreads over its whole extent. * On the consultation dated the 4th March, 1724, it is stated that grass was well grown on the Great Wood — and the Government ordered cattle to be pastured there : but on V How this extensive and beautiful plain could have escaped in a general devastation, is a question not easily to be solved.

Its gentle slope, and smooth and even surface, and its fertility, present so striking a contrast to all the surrounding parts, that one might be disposed to believe it a remnant of primitive land, which has remained, untouched and unshaken, amidst all those dreadful convulsions which have agitated and overturned every thing in its vicinity : or it might, with some plausibility, be con sidered a part of" those countries where the earth appears in a " rude state — where every place capable of producing trees is " totally covered with wood." f About a mile and a half to the eastward of Long Wood House, there are the remains of many gum-wood trees. Nothing is left but the roots and a few inches of bark. Wherefore, it seems highly probable that the Great Wood may have been of much larger extent ; and that it also covered the flat piece of land be tween Long Wood and the sea: in this case, the whole of the Great Wood must have occupied a space of not less than two thousand acres. ' It seems to me that the circumstances of this plain may be of some importance to the science of geology ; because it affords a curious and singular contrast, and comparison, with every other part of the island.