1698.] ISLAND PRODUCE. 299 



of : We Landed at the Fort built not long since on the shoar, 

 at the foot of a Eock.^ It formerly stood on a steep 

 Eminence, to which you were oblig'd to mount by Stairs, like 

 a Ladder, for a considerable while, which could not likewise 

 be done without some Danger. There are two places on this 

 side where one may cast Anchor, the best was that where we 

 were, as well on account of the Bottom, which was very 

 sound, as by reason of excellent fresh Water which falls from 

 a Mountain hard by.^ On this side, as I've already observ'd, 

 there is no plain Ground, for the Mountain whence the 

 Water Springs begins at the brink of the Shoar. This 

 IVIountain appear'd to us at a distance altogether barren, but 

 when we came near it we perceived it had some Trees a-top. 



The other Eoad^ is not near so good, but to make you 

 amends when you get a-shoar, you come into a fair Plain, 

 where every thing that is sow'd thrives admirably well. 



This Island lies almost in the 16th Degree of Southern 

 Latitude, and is about six Leagues in Compass. The Air 

 there is very good, and the Heats of the Sun are temper'd 

 by refreshing Winds, in like manner as the Drought of the 

 Soil is render'd fertile by the great Dews, and small Showers 

 that fall frequently there. Fruit-Trees, Pulse, Herbs, and 

 all the Plants which the Portugueses brought thither soon 

 after their discovery of this Island, thrive there wonderfully 

 well, and are to be found every where in great Abundance. 

 Orange-Trees, Citron-Trees, Pomegranate-Trees, Ananas, 

 Banane-Trees, Vines, Melons, Eice, Peas, Beans, Eadishes, 

 Turnips, etc., with all sorts of Corn. These same Portugueses 

 took, likewise, care to transport thither all kinds of Cattle, 



Frigate birds. The former Terus are yet numerous, and breed, with 

 the Tropic bird, on the cliffs : but the Frigate or Man-of-War bird has 

 nearly disappeared, and no longer breeds in the island, although a 

 certain cliff is still denominated Man-of-War Roost, where they formerly 

 frequented. (Cf. Melliss, /. c, p. 97.) 



1 At Banks' Fort, under Sugar Loaf. 



" James' Valley. 3 Rupert's Valley. 



