242 M. SEEMANN’S JOURNAL. 
rather intelligent person, and, as the head-gardener was absent, con- 
ducted us over the whole establishment. We soon after fell in with 
two naval officers, and, guided by them, went through the various 
tunnels. They explained to us the way in which the water is collected, 
and conducted to the coast; a contrivance so nicely regulated that 
hardly a drop of rain is lost. We were also shown what may be 
considered the Lion of Ascension, the great * Pride of India” (Melia 
Azedarach, Linn.), the largest tree in the island ; it stands in a creek, is 
fifty feet high and has a stem from nine to twelve inches in diameter. 
After having made the cirenit of the mountain, we ascended to its 
. summit—the “ Big Peak." It is 2800 feet above the sea, and almost 
; entirely overgrown with Ferns and Bramble (Rubus pinnatus, Willd.), 
~ the latter being one of the plants brought from St. Helena. Several 
seats and a table have been put up on the highest point. The view 
is quite pleasing; all around are fields cultivated with Sweet Pota- 
toes, Vegetable Marrow, Pumpkins, and Bananas, while at a distance 
nothing save desolation prevails. How great must have been the 
labour, perseverance, and foresight that could produce such an effect, 
and change, as it were, a dreary desert into a fertile and inhabitable 
region ! 
On the 20th of April the Herald left Ascension, and crossing the 
equator on the 26th of the same month, she passed in latitude 30° 
north through numerous floes of Sargassum weed, sighted on the 20th 
and 21st of May the islands of Flores and Corvo, two of the Azores, 
and arrived on the 6th of June, 1851, at Spithead; whence she pro- 
ceeded to Chatham to be paid off. 
x Thus, after a lapse of nearly five years I had once more the happiness 
.. of stepping on the soil of Europe. I had during that time circumnavi- 
gated the globe, made three voyages towards the North Pole, landed 
on twenty islands, visited thirty-three cities, passed through sixty vil- 
lages, travelled at least 8000 miles by land, and sailed more than 
100,000 miles by sea. Whether due advantage has been taken of the 
opportunities offered, and the result of my mission equal to its magni- 
tude, I must leave others to decide. 
