ST. HELENA. 
15 
magical scene, to which the ocean itself, from the point where the 
valley first became visible, was only a suitable back-ground.* 
August 21' — Mr. Porteus, the Botanist of the India Company, 
and I, set off in the morning, to examine the vegetable productions 
of Sandy-Bay Ridge. After mounting as high as we could on our 
horses, we quitted them to scramble into a scene of vegetation, which 
to me was perfectly new. The different varieties of cabbage-tree,* 
as they are called, are numerous; but as they were just coming 
into bloom, I could not ascertain their name. They are syngene- 
sious. The Dicksonia, or tree-fern, grows to the height of fourteen 
feet, and has leaves five feet long ; the other ferns are numerous 
and beautiful. These were all crowded together on the summit 
of Diana s Peak, overshadowed, in some parts, by the gum-tree,' 
and other trees, which to me were unknown. I have only to regret 
that the spring is not more advanced, and that our stay will be 
too short completely to examine the vegetable tribe in this island ; 
a work which I have no doubt would well repay the labour of a 
botanist. We collected several specimens, returned to dine at the 
Plantation-house, and from thence to the town. 
August us. — During the absence of the Deputy Governor, Mr. 
Doveton officiates in that capacity; he is consequently in posses- 
sion of Longwood, the country residence attached to that office. By 
invitation we this day accompanied him thither. The road is on 
the opposite side of the town to Ladder Hill, and of equally 
easy ascent ; it winds along the ridge, almost encircling Rupert's 
' Of this scene Mr. Salt has given a very beautiful drawing in his folio volume of 
views, published by Miller. 
* The Solidago spuria of Linn^. ^ The Solidago leucadendron of Linn^. 
