130 EFFECTS OF FOBESTS ON MOISTURE, 



of that indomitable energy and contrivance which we proudly allege 

 to be characteristic of our nation. 



This I shall immediately quote at some length ; but what chiefly 

 concerns us is that, apparently by vegetation, there was secured 

 sufficient humidity to promote vegetation, and this in such abundance 

 that a cloud capped the mountain supposed never to have been seen 

 so capped before, and rills of water ran down rocks supposed never 

 to have been bedewed with such tears within the memory of man. 

 When every allowance has been made for suspected exaggeration of 

 previous aridity, and of humidity attained, there remains still a fact 

 to encourage the hope that by the extension of forests an increased 

 humidity may be secured. 



In 1864 there were published by the Government the following 

 observations on Ascension, by Captain F. L. Barnard, R,N. : — 



"Ascension is in latitude 7^ 56' S. and longitude 14° 24' W. It 

 is about 7 1 miles in length and 6 miles in breadth, and is within the 

 immediate influence of the S.E. trade wind. The island is entirely 

 volcanic, the surface being broken into mountains, hills, and ravines. 

 It was discovered by the Portugese in 1501, but remained uninhabited 

 until after the arrival of Napoleon at St. Helena, when it was 

 occupied as a post by Sir George Cockburu, and placed on the 

 establishment of a sloop of war, under a lieutenant. In 1822 the 

 naval garrison was relieved by a detachment of marines under Major 

 John Campbell ; since which it has gradually been increasing in 

 importance, and I propose tracing its rise, progress, and present 

 capabilities from valuable notes left by my predecessor Captain W. F. 

 Burnett, C.B., and the records in office. 



" But little information remains on record between 1815 and 1824, 

 in which latter year Lieut.-Col. Nicolls arrived to take command. The 

 number then victualled was 59. Mules and donkeys were the only 

 draught animals, and sheep and bullocks were then first applied for. 



" The supply of water was scanty and precarious, and even in 1829 

 it depended on drips in the banks, and the rain that was collected in 

 casks and a few old tanks. Three carts, six oxen, and three drivers 

 were employed daily in transporting about 360 gallons a distance of 

 six miles, and even this quantity was liable to a considerable 

 diminution after long droughts. When Dampier's vessel, the 

 'Roebuck,' foundered near Ascension in 1701, he discovered springs 

 or drips by watching where the goats went to drink; and in 1824 

 attention was called to three of these, viz., Middleton's, the Mountain 



