SOIL AND VEGETATION. 93 



" It is worthy of remark, that notwithstanding the rich vegeta- 

 tion almost everywhere prevailing, and the excess of forest, none 

 of the soils, not even the forest soils, abound in vegetable matter ; 

 tending to prove that the decomposing influence of moisture, and 

 of a high temperature, is sufficient to prevent such accumulation, 

 and more than adequate, at least at the surface, to prevent decay- 

 ing vegetable matter from passing into the state of peat. It is 

 also worthy of remark, that these soils, in most places, are of 

 great depth, and in consequence the more favourable for produc- 

 tive vegetation." 



In the general tenor of these remarks I fully and unreservedly 

 acquiesce ; but it will be seen that, as regards the distribution of 

 soils throughout the island, I differ materially from Dr. Davy : and, 

 not to enter into many details, I will only observe that the soils of 

 Morne Calabash and Manzanilla, in the northern division, very 

 much resemble that of Guayaguayare, and even of JSaparima, in 

 the southern ; whilst the soils of Upper Caroni, Cunapo, parts of 

 Arima and Guanape, in the northern, are closely similar to those 

 of Guapo and Trois, in the southern division. 



SOIL AND VEGETATION. The soil of Trinidad is very various ; 

 on the whole, however, it may be rated as generally fertile, and 

 several districts might bear a comparison with the best soils of 

 Cuba and San Domingo, whilst a few tracts bear the characteristics 

 of irretrievable barrenness. 



The soils of the island may be classed under three principal 

 heads : clay, loam, and alluvial deposits. Clay and loam pre- 

 dominate in the southern, clay and alluvial in the northern 

 division. 



Southern Division. From La Brea to Cedros, the soil is light, 

 with tracts or veins of clayey land, not very fertile, and requiring 

 manure ; it is very deep, contains but little organic matter, and is 

 of a better quality at Cedros and Quemada. When first cleared 

 from its forests, and brought under cultivation, it yields abundant 

 crops of sugar ; but as soon as the store of humus, or vegetable 

 decompositions accumulated on the surface, is exhausted, the land 

 affords but miserable returns, unless thoroughly manured. I have 

 no doubt that lime and clay marl would, as dressings, be ex- 

 cellent means of improvement to this soil, which is, almost every- 

 where, deep and rather retentive. 



The finest loam is met with in Victoria county. It is either of 



