30 G TKINIDAD. 



compelled to anchor at two or two and a half miles from the 

 shore. San Fernando was founded as early as the commencement 

 of 1786, but has obtained only lately the municipal privileges of 

 a council and mayor. Population in 1881, 6,335 : males, 3,119 ; 

 females, 3,216, of which 873 are Indians. Population in 1871, 

 5,006. There are two suburbs attached to the borough : the 

 Cafe, on the North Naparima road, and Bushy Park, on the 

 South Naparima road. 



From San Fernando three main roads lead respectively north- 

 ward to Pointe-a-Pierre, southward to Mosquito Creek and 

 Oropuche, and eastward to Savanna Grande or Princestown. 

 From these main roads branch off several ward-roads, leading to 

 the east and south-east, and affording means of communication 

 between the estates and the different landing-places ; also two 

 main bridle-paths to Mayaro on the east, and Moruga on the 

 south. The South Naparima eastern ward marks the limit be- 

 tween the districts of North and South Naparima. Population 

 in 1881, 4,824; in 1871, 3,305. 



South Naparima. — This section is divided into two wards, 

 viz., South Naparima eastern and South Naparima western 

 wards. It is bounded on the N. by the district of North 

 Naparima; on the S. by the Oropuche lagoon; on the E, 

 by Savanna Grande; on the W. by the Gulf. It is gently 

 undulating, and the whole of it may be said to be under cane 

 cultivation. If not the largest, at least the best, sugar estates of 

 the colony are to be found in this district. Maize, rice, and 

 edible roots, such as tanias, yams, and sweet cassada, thrive 

 remarkably well, but are very scantily cultivated. 



The soil in this district may be classed under three heads — 

 black, or jiguier soil ; dark brown, or zapatero ; and white, or 

 marly. The black soil is called jiguier on account of the large 

 number of the figuiers, or wild fig-trees which grow therein ; and 

 the dark brown, zapatero, because the zapatero tree is there found 

 in great abundance. The Jiguier soil is of the very best descrip- 

 tion, and of lasting fertility ; it extends, in the form of a zone or 

 belt, from the sea-board and the lagoon, along the river Cipero, 

 to Savanna Grande, and in a nearly due east direction, to the 

 mouth of the Guataro or Ortoire. It varies in breadth from 

 four to five miles. Not only do the canes ratoon in this soil for 

 many years, but it does not seem to be favourable to the growth 



