xlviii INTODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



sprung up. I send a specimen of one of medium growth, wliicli 

 is hij^her tlian any we have seen in any other place. I send also 

 a specimen of another kind of salsola, which is of smaller size 

 than we have hitherto burned. It is not so abundant as the com- 

 mon sort ; but 1 am convinced it would yield alkali in a greater 

 proportion." 23d August, 1809. 



" The salsola grows very luxuriantly in Friar's Vallej^ by 

 reason of the saline water with which this valley abounds. This 

 is peculiarly deserving attention ; for these waters are nearly as 

 salt as sea-water. I am persuaded from what I observed in my 

 way to Thompson's Valley, that the salsola thrives better, and 

 grows to a larger size when watered with salt, than with fresh 

 water. I observed also, among some salsola plants which are 

 growing within tive yards of the surf, that there are icicles of 

 salt (if I may be allowed the expression) intermixed with the 

 bushes ; some of which are from one to two feet in length, and 

 as clear as crystal. I should have sent you one of them, but 

 it was impossible to reach the spot from which they impend." 

 31st August, 1809. 



" Friar's Valley has produced the largest piece of barilla we 

 have yet made. The overseer says it would have weighed nearly 

 1000 pounds before it was broken into pieces in the pit. I am 

 perfectly sure that this is the most fit ravine to collect and culti- 

 vate the salsola." 21th September, 1809. 



" I yesterday inspected the growth of salsola in Friar's Valley, 

 and I was astonished to find that it is already fit to cut. This I 

 attribute to the many salt springs with which that ravine abounds. 

 I reported on a former occasion my opinion regarding the culture 

 of salsola in this ravine ; and I can now assure you with more 

 certainty, that this place is one of the fittest on the island for 

 that purpose; for, according to my memoranda, it has yielded 



