76 Dr. Nugent on the Pitch-lake^ &c. 



** and Its own comparatively small streams have but modified here 

 •' and there the grand deposit."* 



Having been amply gratified with our visit to this singular place, 

 which to the usual magnificence of the West Indian landscape, 

 unites the striking peculiarity of the local scene, we re-embarked 

 in our vessel, and stood along the coast on our return. On the way 

 we landed, and visited the plantations of several gentlemen, who 

 received us with hospitality, and made us more fully acquainted 

 with the state of this island : a colony which may with truth be 

 described as fortunate in its situation, fertile in its soil, and rich be- 

 yond measure in the productions of nature ; presenting, in short, 

 by a rare combination, all which can gratify the curiosity of the na- 

 turalist, or the cupidity of the planter ; restrained in the develope- 

 ment of its astonishing resources, only by the inadequacy of popu- 

 lation, the tedious and ill-defined forms of Spanish justice, and the 

 severe, though we may hope transient, pressure of the times. 



* Vide Mr. Lochhead's Observ. on the Nat. Hist, of Guiana. Edin. Trans, vol. 4. 



