53 
the rain descends in heavy and protracted showers, for the 
most part on the lower grounds only, but occasionally on the 
summit also. In the latter case, its fall is announced by the 
sudden appearance of torrents of water, pouring in a hundred 
channels over the edge of the precipice, dashing down from 
cliff to cliff, and forming a series of cascades, the most mag- 
nificent, perhaps, on the whole face of the globe. 
* With such a moist climate, and such frequent rains, it is 
a circumstance worthy of remark, that the island is but scantily 
supplied with running water. The only permanent stream of 
any magnitude in the whole island, is one which gushes out 
of the base of the mountain, immediately behind the canton- 
ment. Excepting this brook, you meet with nothing from one 
end of the plain to the other but the dry beds of mountain 
torrents, impetuous, indeed, while they flow, but ceasing with 
the shower to which they owe their existence. This singular 
deficiency of springs may perhaps be attributed to the nature 
of the rocky mass of which the island is formed. Though 
regularly stratified, the rock is cracked and split in all direc- 
tions, and the rain, transmitted through the spongy, absorbent 
soil, penetrates easily into its fissures, and sinks down at once 
to the level of the sea, where it may be seen along the shore, 
gushing out through the sand on the reflux of every tide. _ 
* Notwithstanding the frequency of the rains, the climate 
appears to be abundantly healthy. Not a symptom of sick- 
ness appeared among the soldiers during the four months I 
remained on the island. 
*'DThe spot pitched upon for the cantonment is at the 
northern extremity of the plain, about half a mile from the 
landing place, and within range of cannon-shot from the anchor- 
age. It is plentifully supplied with excellent water from the 
stream already mentioned, which runs close by it, and which 
even during the hottest days of summer, maintains the low 
temperature of 50°. This stream, after running its course for 
about half a mile, precipitates itself in a cascade over the 
face of the rock into a small sandy cove, where boats can 
easily put in, to supply shipping with wood and water. 
* The prevailing winds off Tristan da Cunha blow from 
