1880. | se The Bland. of Dominica. 765 
sion to visit several points of interest, thanks to the courtesy of 
gentlemen living there, and the kind offices of Dr. Brown, of 
Princeton. Prominent among the “mysteries” of Dominica, the 
“Boiling lake” and the “Soufreurs” have always held their 
place. The latter are located near the extreme southern end of 
the island, Leaving Roseau early in the morning, we were 
pulled along the coast for six miles by four strong oars. On 
account, of the difficulty in landing at some localities, the boats 
are without rudders. Their place is supplied by a steersman who 
ably directs the course by means of a short paddle. Boats used 
by the negroes are built in the shape of canoes, and are partly 
sharp keeled dug-outs, the sides being boarded to increase the 
depth. After we had landed, a very warm climb brought us to 
the first appearance of chemical changes in the rocks. _ The feld- 
spathic constituents of the trachyte were thoroughly decomposed, 
the ground white and dusty with but little vegetation. Some 
search revealed a number of cavities in the altered material, which 
were lined or filled with beautiful crystals of sulphur. Although 
the surface of this decomposed area showed a normal tempera- 
ture, this increased so rapidly with depth, that at little more than 
a foot it was unbearable to the touch. Small streams in the 
Vicinity were found to measure 45° C., and the water evidently 
carried ferric sulphate and alum in solution. Ascending higher, 
through tall weeds, and plucking guavas on the way, we observed — 
a narrow gully in a rocky mountain side, whence steam was 
issuing in dense volume. It was a matter of some difficulty to 
cross a ravine which separated us from this point of greatest 
chemical activity. Here our colored guides deserted us. Not 
that their guidance was in the least valuable, but we wanted them 
to carry specimens. No persuasion, no threat could induce them 
to follow us to the place where, in their opinion, evil spirits 
resided, “7; hey will throw rocks at you,” was their only reply, 
accompanied by an obstinate negative shake of the head. Who 
“they” were could not clearly be made out. A prevalent popu: 
lar superstition regarding evil-minded “mountain spirits,” fur- = a 
nished us a clew, however, as to the identity of undefinable 
enemies. Once within the active region of the Soufreurs it be- > 
came necessary to be cautious in our movements. The ground 
was treacherous and of about 60° C. temperature. Small open- — Ba 
ings lined with crystals of sulphur, steadily emitted sulphurous 
