313 
In the process of clearing the land, vast quantities of valuable 
timber were cut down, and, among the rest, whole ship-loads 
of Ebony, which were burned where they fell, as the price of 
timber in the market would not cover the expense of trans- 
portation. ps s 
< * After breakfast, we took leave of this very hospitable 
family, and continued our journey; but as the path through 
the forest was rather intricate, Chamarel, good-naturedly 
undertook to guide us in person, the greater part of our way 
traversing his own grounds. In every field through which 
we passed, before we entered the wood, we observed a hut 
occupied by a confidential slave, who was stationed there as 
a check on the depredations of the maroons or runaway 
slaves, At each of these huts there was also cantoned a 
detachment of poultry, which had the range of the field, to 
Pick up a livelihood without trouble or expense. The main 
dependence of the Colonists for animal food is on their 
poultry, Mutton is scarce, because sheep do not thrive on 
the rank herbage of the island. Goats are plentiful, because 
they are more hardy, but their flesh is a poor substitute for 
Mutton, With regard to beef, those who live at a distance 
from Port-Louis rarely taste it; for unless a whole district 
Were to subscribe for a share, no one can venture to slaughter 
à bullock, the heat of the climate rendering the flesh unfit for 
Use in less than twenty-four hours. The supply of sea-fish 
to the families settled in the interior of the Island is altogether 
Precarious; nor are the rivers so large or well stocked as to 
Supply the deficiency. Eels of an enormous size, a species of 
Gobius about six inches long, a fish called * Chite, of the size 
and habit of the common trout, and very fine Shrimps, make up 
the catalogue of indigenous fresh-water fishes. Many of the 
planters have fish-ponds, in which they breed the Gouramy, 
(Trichopus Gouramy,) and a large species of Cyprinus of a 
Scarlet colour; both of them introduced from China, and of 
an exquisite flavour. These fishes feed on the leaves of the 
CArum esculentum), which is planted for that c 
on the margins of the ponds. . Salt meat, both beef «cs 
Pork, can always be procured in the market; but thoug 
