422 Delightful Smell on approaching tropical lands from sea. [April 



become in Norway, where it was discovered by the celebrated geologist 

 Esmark, an article of trade. It was, until tha year 1831, exported in 

 the rough state, and with but comparatively little profit to the propri- 

 etors of the ground, to Altona, Hamburgh, Petersburg, England, and 

 Holland. In the year 1830 not less than 1133 ship-pounds were sent 

 to Havre de Grace alone. It being considered more profitable to ex- 

 port the prepared chrome in place of the crude ore, a company has 

 been got up at Drontheim for this purpose, which purposes to supply 

 the cotton printers in Britain, France, and Germany, and also the por- 

 celain manufactories, with prepared chrome.* — Ibid. 



Delightful Smell on approaching tropical lands from sea. — The coast 

 of Chili, says Poeppig, " appeared nearly to resemble the desolate re- 

 gion of Terra del Fuego." Even the peculiar smell was wanting which 

 is usually perceived on approaching the coasts of countries between the 

 tropics, and of which even animals are so sensible that they become 

 restless, appearing to have a presentiment of the termination of their 

 long confinement, and often boldly leap overboard to reach the shore, 

 which they suppose to be close at hand. On this passage Poeppig says 

 in a note, — "Whoever has made a voyage to the tropical countries of 

 South America, or the West Indies, will always remember with plea- 

 sure the sensation which he experienced on approaching the land. 

 Perhaps no sense is then so strongly affected as the smell, especially 

 if you approach the coast in the early hours of r. fine summer's morn- 

 ing. On the coasts of Cuba, the first land I saw in America, on the 

 30th of June 1822, all on board were struck with the very strong smell, 

 like that of violets, which, as the day grew more warm, either ceased, 

 or was lost amidst a variety of others, which were perceptible as we 

 drew nearer the coast. During a long stay in the interior of this 

 island, I became acquainted with the plant which emits such an in- 

 tense perfume as to be perceived at the distance of two or three miles. 

 It is of the species Tetracera, and remarkable for bearing leaves so 

 hard that they are used by the native cabinet-makers, and other me- 

 chanics, for various kinds of work. It is a climbing plant, which reach- 

 es the tops of the loftiest trees of the forest, then spreads far around, 

 and in the rainy seasons is covered with innumerable bunches of sweet- 

 smelling flowers, which, however, dispense their perfume during the 

 night only, and are almost without scent in the daytime." — Ibid, 



* Why should Norway supply chrome to the British cotton printers and porcelain manu- 

 facturers, when British India produces abundance for the consumption of the mother 

 country 1 The district of Salem, would supply all Europe, we suppose, with the ore, and 

 the various beautiful dyes produced therefrom.— Editor Madras Journal. 



