mity to the sea, are overflowed by the tide and 

 covered with mangrove, the soil, to the depth uf 

 a f<»ot, is a rich black rnould interspersed with 

 sabulous particles, and, throughout the i>laTid, 

 generally exhibiting an admixture of clay and 

 sand. 



To the southward and westward of the ridge 

 of mountains level parcels, or patches, of ground 

 form (he predominant feature ; these are now near- 

 ly all under cultivation, being piincipally planted 

 with pepper, and spice treea^ principally clove* 

 A belt ol cocoanvrt and anca^ or phiang^ trees 

 is to be seen. The eastern part, being well 

 adapted for the production of paddy, is principal- 

 ly devoted to ihiit purpoe, 



Mauy of the to be hereafter more parti- 

 cularly noticed , have, by the stimulua of Euro- 

 pean industry and capita', been converted from 

 pestiferous jitngles into srailiug clove plantations, 

 and are ornamented with the seats of the propri- 

 etors. Many of these are remarkabl y well chosen^ 

 and when the visitor gazes upon the various 

 buildings, the houses oftlie private individualSj 

 the public works, I he diti'erent &hops with all their 

 various display*!, and the hills rescued from the 

 grasp of ancient fore&ts, he can hardly conceive 

 that this is thesame island which, les*s than fifty 

 years ago, was overwhelmed with the desolation 

 of unchecked foliage, and formed no more than 

 the occasional resort oi a tew Malay fia-hermen^ 

 and daring pirates. 



The roads, which intersect the valley in every 

 direction, more especially on the north side, are 

 very good and are kept iu excellent order. They 



