PROFESSOR SMITH’S JOURNAL. 257 
gentlemen supposed this colour to be owing to the multi- 
tudes of water-fowls which frequent these rocks; but the 
number is scarcely conceivable that -would be requisite to 
supply matter for covering rocks of the height of 2000 to 
3000 feet, and of sucha substance as to make it appear at 
so great adistance. ‘The next two or three days we endea- 
voured to get to the westward, in order to pass St.Thomas 
on the west side, that we might not make the coast of 
Africa before we had passed the latitude of Cape Lopez. 
May 18. This day we got sight of the island; and on 
the 21st we passed its north-west side, at the distance of 
two or three leagues, and were now arrived at the lowest 
degree of the northern hemisphere. ‘The island is uncom- 
monly high, its ridge of mountains rising in a neak (St. 
Anna), which cannot be of less height than 8000 feet: yet, 
on looking through the telescope, we discovered the moun- 
tains covered with trees up to their very summits. What 
an inviting sight! how many new and interesting objects 
the natural historian has passed for centuries, without be- 
stowing a moment’s notice on them! We know little or 
nothing of these islands, though they are situated as it were 
in the midst of a track which has been for ages one of the 
most frequented Ly vessels of all nations, while immense 
collections of plants and animals have been brought toge- 
ther from Australia, China, the East Indies. and South- 
America. For the last eight days we made a cruise, which 
was perhaps unnecessary, in,order to pass to the westward 
of St. Thomas. How I could have wished to have spent 
these days on the island ! 
Ll 
