106 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. iv. 



Norfolk Island pine growing in a conspicuous situation. Cin- 

 namons of almost every kind, nutmegs and other spices, with 

 the camphor tree, gum copal, india-rubber, tangena, and 

 other trees, were growing as freely as in their native forests. 

 There were also some specimens of teak from India, and 

 bread-fruit trees from the South Sea Islands. 



The genius of St. Pierre has rendered the whole of this 

 neighbourhood a sort of classic region. The wreck of the 

 " St. Greran," in 1745, took place on the adjacent coast. The 

 neighbouring bay is called the Bay of Tombs, because it is 

 supposed that on its shores Paul and Virginia were buried. 

 At Pamplemouses, in a small garden, are two brick and 

 plaster pedestals supporting a couple of clay or coarse terra 

 cotta urns, placed one on each side of a small oblong pond, 

 and surrounded by light iron railings ; these are called the 

 tombs of Paul and Virginia. Each of these tnemorials stand- 

 ing by the side of the water, is shaded by a clump of bamboos. 

 When I went with Mr. Duncan to look at them, they ap- 

 peared rather in a ruinous state, evidently modern, and 

 entirely apocryphal. Nevertheless, sixpence is required of 

 every visitor who enters the garden to see them. 



On the shores of the Bay of Tombs, and about ten miles 

 from Port Louis, there is a branch missionary station, to 

 which, during the month of January, I paid a visit in com- 

 pany -with M. LeBrun, jun. The population of this place 

 is scattered, and consists chiefly of fishermen ; but they have 

 a neat native chapel, erected on a piece of gi-ound near the 

 sea, which was given by the government. On the Sabbath 

 that I spent there it was well attended, though there was 

 illness in several of the families, and I was pleased with the 

 earnestness and simple piety of the people. There was an 

 efficient master in the adjacent government school, which ap- 

 peared to be a great blessing to the neighbourhood. The 

 missionary station was at that time without a teacher ; but an 



