54 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



of the rock. Besides these, batteries occupy the 

 whole circle of the rock, and are discontinued only 

 where the sides are so steep that every attack of an 

 enemy is impossible. The works, which are equally 

 excellent in every point, secure to the place the 

 reputation of being invincible, which it acquired 

 since General Elliot's heroic defence against the 

 combined fleets of France and Spain, in the years 

 1779 to 1782. The operations of centuries have 

 given its present strength to the northern pillar of 

 Hercules. 



The town itself, the greater part of which has 

 been rebuilt since the last three years' siege, con- 

 sists of low houses, crowded together in one prin- 

 cipal street, and several smaller ones running 

 parallel to it, from which the old wall of the 

 Moorish castle, built in 7^5, extends towards the 

 summit of the mountain. To the south of the 

 town in Red Sands, handsome gardens intended for 

 public promenades have lately been made. Under 

 the sultry sun of this country the children of the 

 Flora of the Fortunate Islands, the North coast of 

 Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, and of the East 

 and West Indies, thrive with extraordinary luxu- 

 riance. The favourite flowers of the Spaniards 

 from those countries. Jasmin real, Yerba doncella, 

 Arbol del ciclo, Sauzgatillo chino, Pimienta, Arbol 

 del coral, Don Drigo de noche *, rival the beau- 



* Jasrainum grandiflorum, Vinca rosea, Ailanthus glandu- 

 losa, Vitex Negimdo, Capsicum fructicosumj Erythrina Coral- 

 lodendron, Mirabilis Jalappa. 



