252 
DESCRIPTION OF SCENERY. 
[1820. 
Missionary might settle amongst them ; and on 
examination, it seemed to be more suitable than 
any other we had seen. The situation is on ele- 
vated ground, about half way up the valley, a 
view of the lower half of which it commands. 
The church, when built, will be seen from every 
part of the valley above. The hills, on both sides, 
are composed of regular layers of sand-stone, re- 
sembling gigantic steps, from the bottom to the 
summit ; this appearance particularly charac- 
terizes the range of hills forming the east side of 
the valley, the greater part of which resembles a 
large amphitheatre. Many parts are so regularly 
arranged as to seem the result of human art in 
former ages ; and wear the same dark and greyish 
hue which marks the appearance of ancient 
structures in ruin. Bushes and aloes are so in- 
terspersed as greatly to add to the beauty of the 
scenery, without concealing the natural archi- 
tecture. .The sound of the meandering stream, 
obscured by innumerable mimosas, which cover 
different parts of the valley, increases the interest 
such a scene is calculated to excite. 
The highest part of the valley, which is con- 
siderably elevated, is an extended plain, shaped 
like a crescent, bounded by hills, and producing 
a fine effect. On this plain are several large 
fields of wheat, interspersed with two or three 
