INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. v 



How this extensive and beautiful plain could have escaped in 

 a general devastation, is a question not easily to be solved. Its 

 gentle slope, and smooth and even surface, and its fertility, 

 present so striking a contrast to all the surrounding parts, that 

 one might be disposed to believe it a remnant of primitive land, 

 which has rem.nned, untouched and unshaken, amidst all those 

 dreadful convulsions which have agitated and overturned every 

 thing in its vicinity : or it might, with some plausibility, be con- 

 sidered a part of" those countries where the earth appears in a 

 " rude state — where every place capable of producing trees is 

 " totally covered with wood." f 



About a mile and a half to the eastward of Long Wood House, 

 there are the reuiains of many gum-wood trees. Nothing is left 

 but the roots and a few inches of bark. Wherefore, it seems 

 highly probable that the Great Wood may have been of much 

 larger extent ; and that it also covered the flat piece of land be- 

 tween Long Wood and the sea : in this case, the whole of the 

 Great Wood must have occupied a space of not less than two 

 thousand acres. 



It seenis to me that the circumstances of this plain may be of 

 some importance to the science of geology ; because it affords a 

 curious and singular contrast, and comparison, with every other 

 part of the island If such a comparison were undertaken by a 

 skilful geologist, it might lead to some valuable discoveries ; or, 

 at least, plausible deductions — not merely concerning the original 

 formation ot St. Helena, but of islands in general. 



the llth of tlie same month it is further stated that this information was not correct — and 

 the cattle were accordingly or.lered to be removed. These are curious facts, since they 

 trace the changi- which this remarkable spot of land has undergone : for now, this for- 

 merly naked plain Rafter the trees had fallen) is covered with a fine sward, and is become 

 the finest piece of pasture on the island. t M. Buffon, 



