INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Ixi 



impolitic to attempt it, especially as the oil which may be so had, 

 would more than repay the cost of obtaining- it, by permitting it 

 t© be used for burning- in lamps ; for which purpose I know none 

 better, giving- a clear, steady, and brilliant light, and offending 

 neither in smoke nor smell. 



If these thoughts should, induce any experiments to be made 

 on this subject, I am, under your approval, not only ready to 

 superintend the plantation of the shrub, and the manufacture of 

 the oil, but I am sanguine enough to state, that in case of failure, 

 I will endure my trouble as my compensation." 



Of the Capsicum, Doctor Roxburgh mentions three sorts ; the 

 cerasiforme, or cherry-pepper; the grossnm, or bell-pepper, and 

 ihefrutesccns, or shrul>hy pepper. There may possibly be others 

 which have escaped his notice ; for amongst them is that kind 

 which yields the best sort of Cayan-pepper. They all thrive 

 luxuriantly in the low vallies near the sea, producing two, some- 

 times three, crops in the year. In those places, the plants raised 

 from the seed, bear fruit in nine months ; and at Plantation- 

 house, where it is cooler, in eleven ; shewing, on the same plant, 

 blossom, unripe and ripe fruit, all the year round. 



Those who are experienced in the culture of capsicum, recom- 

 mend an annual succession of plants, because they degenerate, 

 or become unproductive, after three years. By this means there 

 can be no doubt that immense quantities might be raised, and at 

 a trifling- expense. In short, from all that has been stated con- 

 cerning the mineral and vegetable productions of St. Helena, and 

 its fertile soil and fine climate, it must be evident (as Governor 

 Byfield observed in the year 1730) that " if the inhabitants were 

 " a diligent, industrious, laborious people, such as you want, 

 " and they ought, and this place requires, they might raise many 

 " things for the supply of shipping, which would turn to a very 



