THE ISLAND OF SANTO DOMINGO 239 



bordering coral reefs like the keys of Cuba, but so similar 

 to the main island in their mountainous configuration that 

 they are apparently remnants of it which have been sev- 

 ered in recent geologic time. The largest of these is Go- 

 nave, situated in the western gulf of that name, just south 

 of the northern peninsula of St. Nicolas. North of the 

 same peninsula is the lie de la Tortue, twenty-two miles 

 long and five miles broad, famous in history as the resort 

 of bueaneers and the site of the first French settlement. 

 At the southeast point is Saona, nearly the size of La Tor- 

 tue. The peninsulas of Samana, on the northeast coast, 

 and Tiburon, on the southwest coast, were both islands 

 until recent years, the passage between them and the main- 

 land having been but lately closed by nature. Altavela, 

 lying just off the point of the middle south coast, is a 

 smaller islet, with the marked configuration of the mainland. 



The coast of Santo Domingo is fringed in many places 

 with reefs, not so numerous or extensive as those of Cuba. 

 These are developed inside the bays, and Samana Bay is 

 more than half filled by them. Manzanilla Bay is simi- 

 larly obstructed. The western gulf is also fringed 1 >y many 

 coral reefs, and Gonave Island is connected on both sides 

 with the shore by reefs broken by a few open passages. 

 The south coast of the Tiburon peninsula is bordered by 

 a labyrinth of coral reef s, which also occur at the eastern 

 extremity of Santo Domingo. In general, the coast is 

 rugged and mountainous to the edge of the sea, with here 

 and there a few benches of elevated reef rock or high ter- 

 races leading to the lofty uplands. 



Approached from the sea, the island has the aspect of a 

 huge mass of mountains rising precipitously from the 

 water, extending in all directions and jumbled up in hope- 

 Less confusion. These appear to come down to the water's 

 brink and to be covered with shrubbery and trees of a not 

 particularly inviting aspect, and one wonders where the 

 people live, or where valuable crops can be grown. From 

 whatever direction the mariner approaches the island. 



