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 such a substance as to make it appear at 

 so great a distance. 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 da}^ we got sight of the island ; and on 

 the 21st we passed its north-west side, at the distance of 

 two or three leaoues, 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 peak (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 ver}- summits. What 

 an inviting sight! how many new and interesting objects 

 the natural historian has passed for centuries, without be- 

 stowino- 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 by 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 daj^s 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 ! 



LI 



