302 



few days the water is again covered, and 

 more of the tar may be coUedled in a fimilar 

 manner. 



To reach thefe pits of tar \re were ob- 

 liged to fcramble, on foot, through deep and 

 mountainous w^oods, and by way of narrow 

 rugged paths ; leaving our flaves and horfes 

 to go round and meet us at a diftant fpot 

 below. Near the pits were growing great 

 numbers of lemon trees, whofe fruit, like the 

 crabs of the Englifii hedges, having fallen 

 from its branches, lay in heaps, unheeded, 

 under the trees. 



In the part of the wood where we faw 

 the inflammable fpring were great numbers 

 of mountain cabbage trees, which were faid 

 to be of a peculiar kind, and different from 

 all others in the ifland. This magnificent 

 palm is unqueftionably the fineft tree that | 

 grows. From words, or drawings, you caa j 

 only colled an imperfedt idea of it. To ,j 

 comprehend its fine fymmetry, its grandeur, j; 

 and majeftic loftinels, it muft be leen. Its h 

 trunk is very fmooth, and almoft regularly J 



