J4^ A V O Y A G E T O 



1777. reins of coarfe quartz, which commonly follow the dire^Ttion 



February. 



*- — ^ ' of the other; though they fometimes interfe6t it. The 



mould, or foil, which covers this, is alfoof a yello\yifh call, 

 not unlike marl ; and is commonly from a foot to two, or 

 more, in thicknefs. 



The quality of this foil is bed indicated by the luxuriant 

 growth of its producflions. For the hills (except a few to- 

 ward the fca, which are covered with fmalier bufhes) are 

 one continued foreft of lofty trees, flourifhing with a vigour 

 almoft fuperior to any thing that imagination can conceive, 

 and affording an auguft profpedl to thofe v/ho are delighted 

 with the grand and beautiful works of nature. 



The agreeable temperature of the climate, no doubt, con- 

 tributes much to this uncommon ftrength in vegetation. 

 For, at this time, though anfwering to our month of Au- 

 p-uft, the weather was never difagreeably warm ; nor did it 

 raife the thermometer higher than 66°. The winter, alfo, 

 feems equally mild with refpecfl to cold : for in June 1773, 

 which correfponds to our December, the mercury never fell 

 lower than 48°; and the trees, at that time, retained their 

 verdure, as if in the Summer feafon ; fo that, I believe, 

 their foliage is never flied, till puflied off by the fucceeding 

 leaves in fpring. 



The weather, in general, is good; but fometimes windy* 

 with heavy rain; which, however, never lafts above a day; 

 nor does it appear that it is ever excelTive. For there are no 

 marks of torrents rufliing do'wn the hills, as. in many coun- 

 tries ; and the brooks, if we may judge from their chan- 

 nels, feem never to be greatly increafed. I have obferved, 

 in the four different times of my being here, that the winds 



from 



