322 



up the vacuities and fissures, and winding round the 

 inequalities in the surface of that which immediately preceded 

 it. If such a mountain were severed across, and one moiety 

 entirely removed, the remaining section would exhibit 

 precisely the appearance that is presented by Cape St. 

 Francis. 



" The distance from Possession to St. Paul is eight miles; 

 the road passing over a plain of considerable breadth, which 

 terminates in a tongue of land called Pointe des Galets. 

 The plain is stony and barren, yielding only scattered tufts 

 of a hard grass of the genus Aristida. It bears evident 

 marks of recent formation, and consists, for the most part, of 

 the wreck of the high land rolled down during the rainy 

 season by the Riviere des Galets. This stream has re- 

 peatedly changed its course, and is now gaining ground in 

 the direction of St. Paul. Should it work its way into the 

 marsh behind that village, it may facilitate, or, more probably, 

 frustrate the execution of a plan long since projected, of 

 converting that basin into a harbour. 



" The village of St. Paul is built in a straggling manner, 

 on a narrow neck of land, stretching between the shore and 

 the marsh. A straight causeway runs from one end of the 

 village to the other, agreeably shaded with Acacia trees 

 (^Mimosa speciosa,) now in full flower, and diffusing a delight- 

 ful fragrance. 



" From St. Paul to St. Leu, the road runs along the steep 

 side of a mountain, which, as far as the clouds permitted us 

 to see, appeared in a high state of cultivation. It is inter- 

 sected by deep ravines, dry for the greater part of the year ; 

 but occasionally collecting the mountain-showers into furious 

 and impassable torrents. The sides of these ravines are 

 clothed with a great variety of trees and shrubs, interwoven 

 with elegant festoons of climbing plants, among which are 

 the Passijlora, Smilacc, and scarlet Ipomea, with a vast 

 profusion of Convolvuli ; the magnificent flowers, and fan- 

 tastic twinings of which, attract the eye of the Botanical 

 traveller, to the imminent danger of his neck. 



" After a few hours' ride we arrived at St. Leu. This 



