486 Capt. Carmichael's Description of 



production of culinary vegetables, but is far too light to support 

 the weight of trees or large shrubs. 



This plain is the only part of the island that is in the least sus- 

 ceptible of cultivation ; and serious obstacles oppose the conver- 

 sion even of this to the purposes' of agriculture. AVith the excep- 

 tion of the few spots already mentioned, where the earth washed 

 down by the rain has accumulated, the whole of the ground, be- 

 fore it will be fit to receive the plough, must undergo a regular 

 trenching in order to remove the loose stones, and to loosen the 

 hard earth which lies immediately underneath the surface, and in- 

 corporate it with the vegetable mould. After this preliminary 

 operation, there can be no doubt that the soil will yield a fair re- 

 turn in all sorts of European grain. 



The ascent to the peak is practicable in sundry places ; but the 

 undertaking is attended with serious difficulties, and not free from 

 danger. I went up on the 4th of January, accompanied by 

 Dr. Evers, a couple of servants, and a guide, who had been up 

 some days before. We experienced some obstruction at the out- 

 set in making our way through the long grass [Spartiua ariindi- 

 nacea) which grows along the lower part of the mountain in close 

 entangled tufts. As -wc advauucd, our piugrcss was retarded by 

 the extreme steepness of the ascent, and the loose incohesive na- 

 ture of the rocks, which we could hardly venture to touch, lest 

 these fragments should fall upon our heads ; nor did we run less 

 risk in availing ourselves of the branches of the arborescent Phy- 

 lica to support our weight ; for the greater proportion of these 

 being rotten, it was necessary for us to choose with caution, as a 

 mistake might prove fatal. After a laborious effort of three liours, 

 however, vfe gained the table land, and there discovered to our 

 mortification, that the upper region of the mountain was com- 

 pletely obscured. Urged by a strong west wind, the cloud broke 



from 



