THE STKAIT OF MAGELLAN. 19 



tlieir characteristic black and white attire, and their offspring 

 in their uniform dark-brown plumage * Grasshoppers of dif- 

 ferent species, and all sizes, were in plenty, skipping about 

 among the low herbage, and producing a sound as of a multi- 

 tude of miniature knife-grinders ; and I saw a single speci- 

 men of a sphinx, which I believe was the privet hawk moth 

 {Sphinx Ligustri), as well as several dark-coloured butterflies 

 (JDiadema Misippus), with large white spots on the wings. 



Low down on the plains the heat was most oppressive, 

 but after ascending to a considerable height on the hills there 

 was a comparatively cool and refreshing breeze. At length 

 we arrived at the summit of an elevated ridge, from whence 

 we had a fine view of the sea and the greater part of the 

 island ; and my guide, who had by this time confided to me 

 that his name was " Jeduat," and that he came from Boavista, 

 another of the islands of the Cape de Verde group, inti- 

 mated to me that this was to be our terminus. Not far from 

 where we halted was a small cottage surrounded by a little 

 plantation of maize, to all appearance grown under great 

 difficulties, on a scanty sprinkling of soil on the top of the 

 rock, which cropped out between nearly every plant ; and as I 

 was very thirsty, I requested my companion to inquire if we 

 could get some water to drink. On his receiviug a reply in 

 the affirmative I dismounted, and scrambling over the low 

 stone wall which surrounded the enclosure, proceeded to the 

 door of the dwelling, where I was accosted with " Walk in " in 

 English, by a pleasant-looking negress, who forthwith pro- 

 vided me with some of the desired fluid. In requital of her 

 civility, I presented her with an English silver threepence, 

 which appeared to delight her greatly, as she thereupon 



* I did not observe any Guinea-fowl during the short period of our stay in 

 St. Vincent, and was told that they had become very rare. 



