AFRICAN ISLANDS. 875 



In the island of JUayo, belonging to this group, immense quantities of salt are made by the 

 heat of the sun, from the sea-water, which, at spring-tides, is received into a sort of pan, form- 

 ed by a sand-bank, that runs along the coast for several miles. Here the EngHsh and Ameri- 

 cans carry on a considerable trade, for salt. The salt costs nothing, except for raking it to- 

 gether, wheeling it out of the pond, and carrying it on asses to the boats, which is done at a 

 very cheap rate. Asses are also an article of trade at this island, whence they are conveyed 

 to the West Indies. These islands are subject to great droughts ; during which the thin, dry 

 soil, yields no harvests, and the inhabitants suffer all the horrors of famine. They belong to 

 Portugal. 



10. The Canaries, anciently called the Fortunate Islands, are situated at the distance of 

 150 miles southwest of Morocco. Their particular names are, the Grand Canary, Teneriffe, 

 Palma, Gomera, Hierro or Ferro, Fuerte-Ventura, and Lancerota. These islands enjoy a 

 pure, temperate air, and abound in the most delicious fruit, especiallj' grapes, from which a 

 rich species of wine is made. The Canaries also produce those beautiful birds, which bear 

 their name, and are now so common in Europe and America. They belong to Spain. 



Teneriffe, the largest island of this group, is about 120 miles in circuit ; a fruitful country, 

 abounding in corn, wine, and oil, though it is encumbered with mountains. The highest point 

 is called the Peak, or Pic. The ascent to this elevated spot, is not so very hazardous or dif- 

 ficult as it was long imagined to be. From Oratava a deep ravine commences ; a chestnut 

 forest then appears, covering the flanks of those mountains, which form a central chain across 

 the island. A series of verdant hills follow ; after which the track leads across a steep mass 

 of lava rock, worn into ravines, and exhibiting a thin surface of yellow pumice. At length an 

 undulated plain spreads itself, like a fan, to a great extent, until it terminates in the second 

 region of the peak and a range of precipices. A steep mountain of pumice is next ascended, 

 and varied masses of lava require to be passed, before the summit of this stage of the moun- 

 tain is attained. The foot of the cone is then reached ; and the subsequent ascent is rendered 

 troublesome and fatiguing by the excessive steepness of the cone. The feet of adventurous 

 visiters sink into the ashes at every step, and quantities of pumice and lava are rolled down 

 upon them. Of the highest part, the superficial extent is about an acre and a half; and this 

 is itself a small crater, in which sulphureous heat is observable. The height of the Pic is cal- 

 culated at 13,000 feet. Santa Cruz is the capital of Teneriffe, and the seat of government 

 for all the seven islands. Though not large, it is a well-built city, with 8,000 inhabitants. 

 Laguna exceeds it in magnitude, but has a mean appearance. Out of 150,000 persons, who 

 form the whole population of the Canaries, 60,000 may be assigned to Teneriffe. 



Fuerle-Ventura is larger than the Grand Canary ; but it scarcely contains 9,000 inhabitants, 

 while the latter has about 45,000. One island is remarkable for drought ; the other has a 

 sufficient supply of moisture to produce such fertility, that there are two, and sometimes three, 

 harvests of wheat and maize in one year ; hence the Great Canary is called the granary of the 

 insular group. Palmas, the chief town of the latter, has 10,000 inhabitants. 



11. Madeira is about 60 miles long and 40 broad, and consists of one continued hill of a 



considerable height, extending from 

 east to west ; the declivity of which, 

 on the south side, is cultivated, and 

 interspersed with vineyards. In the 

 midst of this slope the merchants have 

 fixed their country-seats, which form 

 a very agreeable prospect. The 

 chief town, named Funchal, stands 

 on the southern side of the island ; 

 toward the sea, it is defended by a 

 high wall with a battery, and it is the 

 only place where it is possible for a 

 boat to land ; and even there the 

 beach is covered with large stones, 

 and violent surf continually beats up- 

 on it. Of the bay, on which the 

 town borders, the extremities are 

 formed by two steep promontories, 



Funchal., Madeira. 



