486 Capt. CARMICHAEL’s Description of 
production of culinary vegetables, but is far too light to support 
the weight of trees or large shrubs. | 
This plain is the only part of the island that is in the least sus- 
ceptible of cultivation; and serious obstacles oppose the conver- 
sion even of this to the purposes of agriculture. With the excep- 
tion of fhe few spots already mentioned, where the earth washed 
down by the rain has accumulated, the whole of the ground, be- 
fore it will be fit to receive the plough, must undergo a regular 
trenching in order to remove the loose stones, and to loosen the 
hard earth which lies immediately underneath the surface, and in- 
corporate it with the vegetable mould. After this preliminary 
operation, there can be no doubt that the soil will yield a fair re- 
turn in all sorts of European grain. 
"The ascent to the peak is practicable in sundry places; but the 
undertaking is attended with serious difficulties, and not free from 
danger. I went up on the Ath of January, accompanied by 
Dr. Evers, a couple of servants, and a guide, who had. been up 
some days before. We experienced some obstruction at the out- 
set in making our way through the long grass (Spartina arundi- 
nacea) which grows along the lower part of the mountain in close 
entangled tufts. As we advanced, our progress was retarded by 
the extreme steepness of the ascent, and the loose incohesive na- 
. ture of the rocks, which we could hardly venture to touch, lest 
these fragments should fall upon our heads; nor did we run less 
risk in availing ourselves of the branches of the arborescent Phy- 
lica to support our weight; for the greater proportion of these 
being rotten, it was necessary for us to choose with caution, as a 
mistake might prove fatal. After a laborious effort of three hours, 
however, we gained the table land, and there discovered to our 
mortification, that the upper region of the mountain was com- 
pletely obscured. Urged by a strong west wind, the cloud broke 
from 
