ST. HELENA. 
at present of no use. I was told that seasons have occurred, in which 
the drought has been so great as to threaten the annihilation of all 
the Hve-stock on the island. The hills of St. Helena are destitute of 
trees, except Diana's Peak. The consequence is, that though the 
clouds which are borne along by the S.E. trade winds constantly roll 
over their tops, and even extend some way down their sides, yet 
little moisture is retained. On Diana's Peak, on the contrary, when 
the ground is moistened, the deep shade of its luxuriant vegetation 
prevents the rays of the sun from entering and parching it up. 
Indeed, in the winter season, a day seldom passes without several 
showers falling on it. If, therefore, the other hills were covered 
with wood to their summits, would they not have the same effect of 
attracting the clouds in the first instance, and afterwards of retain- 
ing the moisture in the soil, in defiance of a tropical sun? From 
what I have seen in other climates, I am strongly inclined to believe 
that they would, and at any rate the experiment is worth a trial, as 
the scarcity of fire- wood is great, not only for the shipping, but 
for the consumption of the inhabitants. The native woods of St. 
Helena are by no means valuable ; the trees do not grow to any con- 
siderable height, and their texture is in general light and spongy. 
The East India Company ought to direct the introduction of the 
different forest trees from Bengal, many of which would thrive in the 
variety of situations which the island affords, and perhaps even the 
giants of the Eastern forests, the teak-tree and the banian-tree, may 
hereafter be seen covering the lofty eminences of Diana's Ridge. 
The geometrical elevation of the principal eminences of the 
island are as follows: 
