ISLAND OF ASCENSION. 253 



bream, perch, &c. ; and many I tasted, were of 

 very excellent and delicate flavour. 



On the afternoon of the following day, (25th,) 

 we sailed from St. Helena, and experienced be- 

 tween that island and Ascension a light trade- 

 wind, which would occasionally freshen for a 

 short period. Early on the morning of the 

 4th of March, the Island of Ascension was 

 seen, bearing north- west-half-west, by compass 

 distant about twenty-five miles.* Our course 

 was steered, so as to pass close to the settlement. 

 The appearance of the island is sterile in the 

 extreme, seeming only calculated for the ha- 

 bitation of the numerous oceanic birds which 

 hovered about the ship in great numbers. Vol- 

 canic rocks, in rugged and mis-shapen masses, 

 terminating in abrupt precipices, or shelving 

 declivities, form the principal feature of the 

 island. And when the clouds which enveloped 

 the Green Mountain passed away, its verdant 

 character contrasted in a very beautiful manner 

 with the sterile rocks and mountains, red with 

 the tufa, or volcanic ash, beneath. Some 

 little white habitations, perched on the ledge 



* A large gannet was seen flying about the ship on the 

 afternoon of the previous day, indicating a near approach to 

 land : we were at that time about ninety miles distant from 

 the island. 



