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EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



The island is, without doubt, volcanic in its structure, and is surrounded by a coral reef, 

 which generally runs parallel to the shores, at a short distance from them, and is mostly left 

 dry at low water. There are, however, in this reef eleven breaks or openings, through most of 

 which vessels of considerable burden may pass. The interior of the island consists of a great 

 number of lofty hills, mostly isolated, though in one or two instances they form small chains. 

 The Brabant mountains and the Bamboo ridge are the greatest elevations, and these are about 

 three thousand feet above the sea level. 



Port Louis, Miiiiritins. 



The soil is generally shallow and not very productive. This is owing to its dryness. The mean 

 annual heat is about 1Q° of Fahrenheit. It is true they have rains, and in June, July, and 

 August showers are frequent, but of very short duration. The average fall of rain throughout 

 the year would appear, from observation, to be about thirty-eight inches. The rainy season 

 lasts from November to March or April, and then the water descends in torrents, accompanied 

 with heavy gusts of wind, and not unfrequently with thunder and lightning. This region 

 is subject also to hurricanes quite as violent as any encountered in the West Indies; 

 there is, however, no regularity in these, though five years rarely elapse without their 

 appearance. The island is traversed by numerous water courses, which diverge in all directions 

 from the centre ; these, however, are filled with water in the rainy season only, and then they 

 form numerous cascades and cataracts. In the dry season the water rapidly evaporates. 



The island was once well wooded, and a considerable part of the native forest still remains. 

 The cocoa-nut palm, and sago, are common, as are also tamarind trees, mangroves, and bamboos. 



