5S2 



ST. HELENA. 



July, 1836. 



from below, so that the confusion in structure from these dif- 

 ferent causes is extreme. On the higher parts of the island 

 considerable numbers of shells occur embedded in the soil, 

 which have always been supposed to be of marine origin : 

 and the fact has been adduced as a proof of the retreat of the 

 sea. The shell turns out to be a Bulimus, or terrestrial species. 

 It is however very remarkable, that it is not now found in a 

 ' living state : a circumstance which in all probability may be 

 attributed to the entire destruction of the woods, and conse- 

 quent loss of food and shelter, which occurred during the 

 early part of the last century. 



The history of the changes, which the elevated plains of 

 Longwood and Deadwood have undergone, as given in 

 General Beatson^s account of the island, is extremely curious. 

 It is said the plain in former times was covered with wood, 

 and was therefore called the Great Wood. So late as the year 

 17I6 there were many trees upon it, but in 1724 the old trees 

 had mostly fallen ; and as goats and hogs were at that time 

 suffered to range about, all the young trees had been devoured. 

 It appears also from the official records, that the trees were un- 

 expectedly, some years afterwards, succeeded by indigenous 

 wire grass, which now spreads over its whole extent.* He then 

 adds, " These are curious facts, since they trace the changes 

 which this remarkable spot of land has undergone, for now 

 this formerly naked plain (after the trees had fallen) is covered 

 with fine sward, and is become the finest piece of pasture on 

 the island.^^ The extent of surface, which was probably 

 covered by wood at a former period is estimated at no less 

 than two thousand acres ; at the present day scarcely a tree 

 can be found there. It is said, that in 1709 there were quan- 

 tities of dead wood in Sandy Bay: this place is now so 

 utterly desert, that nothing but so well-attested an account 

 could make me believe that trees had ever existed there. 

 The fact, that the goats and hogs destroyed all the young 

 trees as they sprung up, and that in the course of time 



* Beatson's St. Helena. Introductory chapter, p. iv. 



