250 NOTES ON THE BOTANY 
this group present entirely different features. San Antonio 
is covered with wood. Sal, is a salt plain: Fogo, a stupen- 
dous active volcano, its reputed height 7,000 feet. San Jago 
resembles a desert, with a fertile and mountainous interior, and 
as this was the only island touched at, and Porto Praya, its 
capital being 12 miles from the rich central part, hardly any 
thing could here be accomplished in the way of botany. 
From the little that was seen of the island, the productions 
of its plain seem to resemble the vegetation of the great 
Sahara desert; of its valleys that of the tropics ; while the 
mountains presented plants similar to what exist in the 
south of Europe, or the range of the Atlas ; one hundred and 
ten species were secured in a good state, and about one hun- 
dred more were seen, but unworthy of being gathered. As 
the botany of the Cape de Verds is little known, and sup- 
posed to be peculiarly interesting, it may be well to state the 
opinion entertained by one of the officers, after remaining 
some days upon the coast, as to the best mode of proceeding 
in a climate, which has the character of being extremely un- - 
healthy. A temperate and judicious traveller, he observe» — 
might, in two months’ diligent research, make a fine botanical — 
collection in the country, by proceeding to the hills imme- 
diately after the rainy season, where he could employ his 
time in perfect safety, if he protects his person with a light | 
parasol, and avoids over-fatiguing himself. Porto Praya ought - 
to be his landing-place, and thence he might proceed to the 
town of San Domingo. The inhabitants of the country- 
houses, chiefly Portuguese, are most hospitable; food 15. 
- abundant, and ponies, though bad, are very cheap. "NE 
idea, whatever, of the interior, can be possibly obtained by 
the coast scenery, nor, for many miles round: Porto Praya; 
for there is hardly a tree to be seen; grass and herbage a 
totally withered and dry ; the very stones black and scorch- 
ing from the heat of the sun. The thermometer generally rose 
to 86° and even higher, in the shade; and during the whole 
day, while on our excursions, we found it impossible to ob- ; 
tain the means of allaying our thirst, except by applying © 
