Mr, Anderson's Account of a Volcanic MouniaiTi^ Scq, i 7 



different ridgeSj feparated by very deep chafms, and its fum- 

 mk appeared quite deflitute of any vegetable produdtiou. On 

 examining fe vera! ravins, that run from the bottom a great way 

 up the mountain, I perceived they were quite deftitute of water, 

 and found pieces of puniice-flone, charcoal, feveral earths and 

 minerals, that plainly indicated there muft be fome very lingu- 

 lar place or other on fome part of the mountain. I alfo recol- 

 levied a ftory told by fome very old men hi the ifland, that 

 they had he^rd the captain of a (hip fay, that between this 

 ifland and St. Lucia he faw, towards niaht, flames and fmoke 

 ifluing from the top of this mountain, and next morning his 

 decks were covered with aflies and fmall ftones. This, you 

 may readily imagine, was excitement enough to examine it, if I 

 poffibly could ; but I was much difcouraged upon being told, 

 it was impofiible to gain the fummit of it; nor could I get 

 either white men, Carribbee, or Negro, that would undertake 

 to conduct me up for any reward I could offer ; nor could I get 

 any information relative tq it, But as difficulty to attain in- 

 hanc€s the value of the obje<£l, fo the more I was told of the 

 impoffibility of going up, the more was I determined to 

 attempt it» 



After I had examined thetjafis of it, as far as I could for the 

 fea ,aud other mountains, to find the moft probable place to 

 commence my journey, I obferved an opening of feveral large 

 and dry ravins, that feemingly ran a great way up ; but I was 

 not fure if they wera not interfe£led by fome rocks or preci- 

 pices I could not get over. I came to Mr. Maloune's, about 

 a ofiile diffant from the mountain, but the nighefi: houfe to it 

 I could fi:ay at all night. Here I met with a friendly recep- 

 tion and great hofpitality. After communicating my inten- 

 tions to him, he tol<i me, he would give me every afliffance 

 Vol. LXXV. D he 



