GO 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
Naturally enough, after being a month at sea, 
most were anxious for a run on shore. We found 
the country and scenery pretty ; the lofty hills were 
varied in colour, and appeared to be thickly wooded 
with a variety of trees, all green and tempting, as 
far as the eye could reach. 
The town, named Charlotte Amalia, has no pre- 
tensions to size or elegance. It is, however, most 
picturesquely situated along the northern shore of 
the island, backed up by high hills, and having a 
curious saddle-shaped mountain running through 
its centre, terminating in two peaks, some 1525 feet 
in height. 
This island, which has in later years been visited 
with so many calamities, and laid waste from time to 
time by hurricanes and great revolutions in nature, 
still holds its position, and will continue to be an 
important possession, not from its trade or produce, 
but from its geographical situation. At the present 
time it is one of the most important ports of call in 
the West Indies, particularly for the mail service, 
some ten or twelve different lines reaching here 
monthly. There can be little doubt that the traffic 
will increase in proportion as sailing-vessels are 
superseded by steam. 
A pleasant week had passed, several excursions had 
been made to the adjacent islands of Sombrero and 
St. John’s, where not only dredging and sounding 
but good shooting were obtained. 
