322 
up the vacuities and fissures, and winding round the 
inequalities in the surface of that which immediately preceded 
it. If such a mountain were severed across, and one moiety 
entirely removed, the remaining section would exhibit 
precisely the appearance that is presented by Cape 8t. 
Francis. . 
** The distance from Possession to St. Paul is eight miles; 
the road passing over a plain of considerable breadth, which 
terminates in a tongue of land called Pointe des Galets. 
The plain is stony and barren, yielding only scattered tufts 
of a hard grass of the genus Aristida. It bears evident 
marks of recent formation, and consists, for the most part, of 
the wreck of the high land rolled down during the rainy 
season by the Rivière des Galets. This stream has re- 
peatedly changed its course, and is now gaining ground in 
the direction of St. Paul. Should it work its way into the 
marsh behind that village, it may facilitate, or, more probably, 
frustrate the execution of a plan long since projected, of 
converting that basin into a harbour. 
“The village of St. Paul is built in a straggling mannet, 
on a narrow neck of land, stretching between the shore and 
the marsh. A straight causeway runs from one end of the 
village to the other, agreeably shaded with Acacia trees 
(Mimosa speciosa,) now in fall flower, and diffusing a delight- 
ful fragrance. 
* From St. Paul to St. Leu, the road runs along the steep 
side of a mountain, which, as far as the clouds permitted us 
to see, appeared in a high state of cultivation. It is inte 
sected by deep ravines, dry for the greater part of the pun 
but occasionally collecting the mountain-showers into furious 
and impassable torrents. The sides of these ravines af 
clothed with a great variety of trees and shrubs, interwove" 
with elegant festoons of climbing plants, among which ar 
the Passiflora, Smilax, and scarlet Ipomea, with & - 
profusion of Cowvolvuli ; the magnificent flowers, and € 
tastic twinings of which, attract the eye of the Botanical 
traveller, to the imminent danger of his neck. t 
_ “ After a few hours’ ride we arrived at St. Leu. Tie 
