XXvi INTRODUCTION, 



tree, bamboos, ebooy, matt-wood with 

 lai^e and fmall leaves, tacamahacaj ftink- 

 ing-wood, aad a multitude of others, which 

 "were exceedingly valuable. 



When this iQaod was firfl inhabited, the 

 ground was a!I cleared by means of fire* 

 It would, however, have been prudent to 

 leave rows of trees here and there at certain 

 diftances. Thofe rains which, in warm 

 countries, are fo neceffary to render the 

 earth fertikj feldom fall on ground after it 

 lias been cleared 5 for it is the forefts that 

 attrad the clouds, and dra%v moifture from, 

 them. Bcfides, cultivated lands have no 

 fhelter to defend them from the violence of 

 the wind. Cultivation wlthoiU meafure, 

 and without method, has fometimes done 

 much more hurt than good. 



Thofe eminences which hang over the 

 harbour^ and defend it from the violence of 

 the winds, have been cultivated to the very 



tops. 



