240 M. SEEMANN’S JOURNAL. 
and European Oaks and Firs. The Date Palm is cultivated in the valleys; 
several avenues near the town consist of the Ficus religiosa, Linn., 
and other species of Fig; in short, in the lower grounds the eye meets 
everywhere plants originally derived from other parts, and even on 
the highest summits I noticed already a great mass of the Fuchsia coc- 
cinea, Andr., and other intruders. 
In ascending Diana’s Peak the country assumes a different and 
` peculiar aspect. Brambles (Rubus pinnatus, Willd.) become more 
plentiful, and gradually mingle with shrubby Campanulacee and Sca- 
voleæ, with Mosses, Zycopodia, Tree-ferns, and the Cabbage-tree (P£e- 
rolobium arboreum, R. Br.), with other arborescent Composite. The 
latter are characteristic of moist and elevated mountains, and I do not 
remember to have met with them in any other localities. The Tree- 
ferns (Dicksonia arborescens, Herit.) are generally about eight feet high; 
here and there, however, specimens are seen attaining as much as four- 
teen feet. The top of the mountain is reached without difficulty by a 
footpath, and presents a most charming view of the surrounding 
country. One can hardly imagine more lovely scenery, or that the 
foot rests upon an island which from the sea appears to be merely a 
barren rock. What could have induced the people to dedicate the 
peak to Diana is difficult to explain. That goddess has certainly little 
here to preside over; the wire-bird, an indigenous species, some phea- 
sants, formerly introduced from China, a few partridges and wild 
rabbits, field-mice, and perhaps now and then a herd of cattle that 
_ have strayed, are the only large animals seen on the mountain. 
On the 12th of April we departed from St. Helena, and in five days 
. reached Ascension. Never have I set my foot in a more desolate place. 
_ The neighbourhood of the garrison, and indeed the greater portion of 
> the island, looks like cinders and ashes; the only green spot is the 
highest peak, which has most appropriately been named “Green 
Mountain.” On Good Friday I, accompanied by Messrs. Maguire, 
Parsons, and Anderson, ascended it. The distance is seven miles, but 
appears considerably more, probably on account of the monotonous 
aspect of the district through which the road leads. It was interesting 
to notice how at every step the vegetation increased. In the immediate 
vicinity of the landing-place I found only a few isolated tufts of Eu- 
phorbias and three Castor-oil plants, the latter much dwarfed. On 
advancing two miles they became more frequent, and were joined by the 
