120 ETTECTa OF FORESTS ON MOISTURE. 



days. The result has been that, for the last thirty years, in place of 

 every score cut down hardly one tree has been planted beyond the 

 supply of self-sown plants. Our Governor has, however, given much 

 attention to this since his arrival ; and he is anxiously endeavouring 

 to introduce and propagate the best trees he can obtain, and as yet 

 his experiments have been very successful and encouraging." This 

 was written in 1865. 



Blanqui in a volume entitled Voyage in Biilgarie, published in 1843, 

 says that, — " In the Island of St. Helena, where the wooded surface 

 has considerably extended within a few years, it has been observed 

 that the rain has increased in the same proportion. It is now in 

 quantity double what it was during the residence of Napoleon." In 

 this we find a corroboration of what was reported by Mr Janisch in 

 regard to the consequence of extensive plantings encouraged by the 

 East India Company previous to 1836. 



The Island of St Helena is of volcanic origin. It is said to have been 

 discovered by the Dutch in 1502. " Viewed from the sea, as it is 

 approached, there is nothing inviting in its appearance; one large 

 mass of rook with deep ravines running down into the sea, divested 

 apparently of all vegetation, and presenting inaccessible rugged cliffs, 

 some of great height, is all at first that the eye beholds ; but as one 

 nears the shore in the interior at certain places may be seen, peeping 

 from out the rook, a few trees to tell that all is not barrenness 

 within." 



In the " Notes on the Natural History of the Island of St. Helena " 

 sent to me, it is stated. 



" The greater part of the Island is now bare of trees and verdure, 

 many mountains having little upon them beyond samphire and a few 

 scrubby weeds, which alone save them from absolute sterility, 

 especially in the dry season, when the shallow soil is utterly parched 

 up. Other mountains are capable of affording a very limited supply 

 of food for sheep, which traverse their loftiest peaks and most intricate 

 paths in search of their scanty fare. 



" Some few of tlie hills are tolerably well wooded, and the loftiest 

 of the whole, Diana's Peak, 2700 feet high, is clothed to the very 

 summit 



" Tlie cultivated parts of the Island, particularly in the neighbour- 

 hood of Plantation, as seen from High Knoll, remind the stranger very 

 much of England, especially of parts of Devonshire. 



" Illusion or likeness is further carried out by the large quantities 



