ISL AN&S. 



lo A N E S S A Y O N r N D I A,. 



- by the evaporation of the water : hence all fhores and iflandsj. 

 though fituated under the hotteft fun, enjoy the benefit of tempe- 

 rate fea breezes. 

 Origin of the If we mean to confiider the nature of the foil in the Indian 

 iflands, we muft attend to their two-fold form and origin. Some 

 ai'e lofty, and if of moderate fize, they have generally a conical 

 fhape. On examination of the mountain and ftrata in this cafe,, 

 it will prefently be obvious that the whole ifland has emerged 

 from the bottom of the fea through the force of fubterranean fire j. 

 for all parts are full of volcanic remains, Aftually burning, 

 mountains are likewife not uncommon in thefe iflands. All the 

 high iflands which I have furveyed between the tropics, in the 

 Atlantic and Pacific oceans, were found to contain Jcoria, eruc- 

 tated afhes, and liquefied matter, the manifeft veftiges of inteftine 

 fires. And that the fame takes place with regard to the iflands 

 of the Indian fea, is rendered probable by fo many volcanoes yet 

 to be feen am.ong them, by the teftimony of various navigators 

 and eye-witnefleSy and by the ftones, evidently refembling Jcori<e 

 and melted rock, brought from thence. It is wonderful that 

 aflies thrown up from volcanoes, and other fcoriaceous matters 

 comminuted and mixed with the earth, fliould conllitute a foil 

 inferior to none in fertility; but it is certain that moll plants 

 thrive mofl luxuriantly in this foil,, and that trees of all kinds grow 

 in it to a ftupendous magnitude. 



There are within the tropics other iflands,. low, and little 

 elevated above the furface of the fea. All of this kind are the 

 workm.anfliip of zoophyte vermes, which raife on all fides from- 

 the bottom of the fea their manfions of a calcareous matter j, 

 whence at length are formed rocks and ftony Ihallows very dan- 

 gerous 



