ST. HELENA 49 



consequently the island was nearly cleared of these rodents. 

 A barn was erected at Longwood which afterwards was 

 converted into a residence for the Lieutenant-Governor, 

 and which ultimately became the residence of the Emperor 

 Napoleon I. An avenue of peepul trees was planted 

 through the streets of Jamestown ; many of these are still 

 standing. 



Goats were introduced in 1513, and in 1588 there were 

 thousands of them. They ate all the young trees — even the 

 old trees were not spared, if they were within reach. To 

 the goats therefore the dearth of wood on this formerly 

 well wooded island is primarily due. Goats were then 

 brought from Bombay and Surat, in order to improve the 

 species, and in a few years they had multiplied to such a 

 degree that they were regarded as wild animals. From the 

 scanty patches of herbage on the heights contiguous to the 

 sea, neither black cattle, nor sheep, even had nature fitted 

 them for traversing such giddy heights and craggy precipices, 

 could derive much sustenance ; but, inaccessible as these 

 cliffs are to man, the goat finds excellent browsing, and 

 thrives where other animals would perish. They are at the 

 present time only allowed to range over certain lands ; 

 and on specified days the owners impound and cut their 

 several marks in their ears. This is a task of difficulty and 

 danger to any but those inured to it from childhood. 



A record of January 1, 1686, reads : 



Starling and others are rewarded for the capture of one Kichard 

 Hancock that had lived in ye woods 22 months and was a principal 

 agent in the late rebellion. 



A thick wood occupied Half Tree Hollow, and " some persons who 

 advanced therein lost their way and perished." 



An old inhabitant says the wood was full of monkeys, who 

 pelted stones at passers-by. 



The following extract of a letter from the Government 

 of St. Helena by Governor Dunbar to the Court of Directors, 

 dated July 9, 1745, affords a positive proof that the dis- 

 appearance of the forests was due to the goats, and not 

 to any physical change. 



Finding that quantities of ebony trees which grew in and about 

 Peak Gut in their tender growth were barked and destroyed by 



D 



