484 



ST. HELENA. 



[1831. 



through it, which issues from the eastern side of Diana's Peak, there 

 is an orchard of apple-trees, which flourishes in a remarkable manner, 

 the branches being loaded to the ground with fruit ; while, on the same 

 tree, the blossom is seen, and the apple in all its different stages, from 

 its first formation until it is ripe, and falling to the ground. The soil 

 of this orchard is a deep black loam. On one side of the valley it is 

 ten or twelve feet deep, sloping down with a considerable declivity ; 

 and might be rendered very valuable if properly cultivated. The tropi- 

 cal fruits ripen best in the valleys near the sea ; peaches, guavas, 

 grapes, and figs, in different parts of the island. The hopes of the 

 farmer have been frequently disappointed in the cultivation of grain ; 

 sometimes from drought — at others from the depredations of rats, which 

 have at times been so numerous as to destroy entire crops. Potatoes, 

 yams, cabbages, pease, beans, &c. are generally plentiful. 



" Cattle of English origin are reared for the use of the company's ships, 

 and supplied to them very sparingly when a fleet arrives ; the quantity 

 reared not being adequate to the demand. The sheep and beasts are 

 in no respect degenerated by change of climate. In some situations 

 rabbits abound ; pheasants and partridges are numerous, and the gar- 

 dens are enlivened by the notes of the Canary-bird. Fish, to the ex- 

 tent of seventy species, have been found on the coast ; among these 

 mackerel are peculiarly abundant. The shellfish include turtle, oysters, 

 and two species of lobster. Sea-fowl deposite immense quantities of 

 eggs around the island, which are collected in the fall of the year, and 

 constitute an agreeable article of food. 



*' Of the climate under which such products are found but little need 

 be said. The thermometer is seldom higher than eighty, and the 

 summer not so hot as in England. The winter is also milder, com- 

 monly ranging between fifty-five and fifty- six degrees ; a temperature in 

 which the vegetation of leaves proceeds with more equality perhaps 

 than any other. Thunder is seldom heard ; but with a sultry atmo- 

 sphere, lightning is not unfrequently seen. There have been seasons 

 of drought wherein the cattle have perished from want of water ; but 

 in general, rain is experienced in all seasons, particularly in July, 

 August, and September, or the summer months of the northern hemi- 

 sphere. Sir Joseph Banks has said that 'every month has its share; 

 there are more rainy days in February, however, than in any other 

 period ; and cloudy days throughout the year exceed in number, almost 

 two to one, those in which the rays of the sun fall upon the earth 

 without interruption, and scorch the vegetation.' 



" On the hills and high grounds the air is generally cool and agree- 

 able ; fog-clouds frequently cover the peaks ; or, being driven from the 

 sea by the wind, strike against them, producing gentle showers, which 

 quicken the vegetation, and cool the atmosphere on the heights. Hence 

 the luxuriance of the pastures increases in proportion to the distance 

 and height from the sea ; and upon the summits of the hills the oxen 

 may be seen up to their knees in grass. 



" During the time a ship or fleet remains in the roads, the passen- 

 gers are entertained as boarders at private houses, but at a very expen- 

 sive rate : for which a good table with wines, and comfortable lodgings. 



