l86 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



bluish flame. The precipitous sides of this magnifi- 

 cent amphitheatre were fringed with various ever- 

 greens and aromatic shrubs, flowers, and Alpine 

 plants. On the north and south sides of the base of 

 the cone were two pieces of water, one perfectly pure 

 and tasteless, the other strongly impregnated with sul- 

 phur and alum. This lonely and beautiful spot was 

 rendered more enchanting by the singularly melodious 

 notes of a bird, an inhabitant of these upper solitudes, 

 and altogether unknown to the other parts of the 

 island hence called, or supposed to be, invisible^ 

 as it had never been seen. 



"A century had now elapsed since the last convulsion 

 of the mountain, or since any other elements had dis- 

 turbed the serenity cf this wilderness, besides those 

 which are common to the tropical tempest. It ap- 

 parently slumbered in primitive solitude and tran- 

 quillity ; and from the luxuriant vegetation and growth 

 of the forest, which covered its sides from base to sum- 

 mit, seemed to discountenance the fact and falsifv the 

 record of the ancient volcano." 



To ascend the volcano was the object of my visit to 

 Richmond, and also to procure that famous bird called 

 " invisible." For a century, the people crossing the 

 mountains had heard this bird, for a century no one 

 had looked upon it. No one could affirm that he had 

 seen it. Its weird music, ascending from the fright- 

 ful ravines on either side the narrow mountain trail, 

 seemed to float near them, but the bird ever remained 

 undiscovered. By a preliminary ascent I found that 

 it would be necessary, in order to procure the bird, to 

 spend several days on the mountain-top, as it dwelt 



