M. SEEMANN’S JOURNAL. 941 
the Vinca rosea, Argemone Mexicana, Nicotiana Tabacum, an herbaceous 
Composita, an Amaranthus, and the Lycopersicum esculentum. A little 
further on a Orucifera, a Panicum, and a Sida made their appearance ; 
and thus by degrees the soil became more and more clothed with 
verdure, till at last, when approaching the actual summit, a total 
change took place, and we found ourselves in a comparatively fertile 
region. 
Ascension was formerly uninhabited, and, excepting a few Mosses, 
Lichens, and Ferns, destitute of any vegetation. About sixteen years 
ago, however, the British Government ordered trees to be planted, and 
the land of Green Mountain to be cultivated. Collectors were sent to 
St. Helena and the Cape of Good Hope, to gather the productions of 
those regions. The newly introduced plants grew up, and by their at- 
traction the moisture has increased. Considering the progress already 
made, it is not unreasonable to expect that in time the whole of Ascen- 
sion will be capable of supporting vegetation. This time could un- 
doubtedly be hastened if the cultivation were’ extended to the lower 
parts. Hitherto the want of fresh water has been deemed the great — 
obstacle, but I think this might be successfully surmounted if plants 
were selected which can be sustained by salt water as well as by fresh, 
so that, after these have attracted sufficient moisture for their own 
support, the irrigation with salt water might be discontinued without 
injury to them. I only know two trees of this nature, the Overal 
(Varronia rotundifolia, Alph. DC.) and the Algarrobo (Prosopis hor- — E 
rida, Kunth); these are found in Ecuador and New Granada on the — 
very verge of the ocean, and also in the most arid places of the Peru- — 
vian deserts, where sometimes for years nothing save dew is known to - 
fall. They are moreover highly useful. The berries of the Overal form | 
excellent food for poultry, and the Algarrobo produces a bean which is — 
almost the sole support of the numerous horses, mules, donkeys, and 
goats of the arid regions. It would be diffieult to find in the whole — 
vegetable kingdom two plants whose constitution is better adapted for | 
the island, or whose introduction would be attended with more bene- 
ficial results, both directly and indirectly, than the two alluded to*. 
In the Government Garden we met a corporal of Marines, who had 
been one of the party that planted the first trees. He seemed to be a 
* Seeds in large quantities may easily be obtained of any trader on the Peruvian | 
coast, at little or no expense. — : 
VOL. IV. I 
