60 
TRINIDAD. 
many times. In the dry season the brushwood of the 
savannah is set on fire, and lights up the sky for miles 
round. The hunter does this that he may be rewarded 
by a plentiful supply of game. The Government seem 
to take no notice of this fiery hunting, probably deem- 
ing that no harm, but some good, is done, as there is 
a roadway through the savannali, which needs to be 
cleared every year, and no way is so cheap or so 
effectual as burning. The savannah is of such extent, 
and so isolated from the estates by bush and high woods, 
that no harm can happen from its yearly burning. 
The Couva Savannah is smaller than the Grand 
Savannah, yet of considerable length. It lies low, is 
perfectly level, and is kept clear of brushwood. It is 
surrounded by estates; and any promiscumis burning 
would certainly be attended with most serious conse- 
quences. The Couva road runs through it, and the 
established church occupies a portion of it. Ho doubt, 
were the soil better, or were good land less plentiful, this 
savannah would have been laid under cultivation long ago. 
The savannah near Port of Spain is a very beautiful 
and valuable pasturage, several square miles in extent. 
It is enclosed by a substantial post and iron-rail fence ; 
and round it runs what is called the Circular Eoad, 
which is much frequented as the fashionable afternoon 
drive. This savannah is used as a race-course once 
a year, and is equal to any race-course in the West 
Indies, and some affirm it to be equal to any race-course 
in the world ; its great excellence being its dry nature 
and level surface, so that the horses are seen during tlie 
whole race. 
Here, too, hundreds of head of stock are to be seen 
quietly and securely grazing, though it must be ad- 
mitted that during the dry season, the grass becomes 
dried iqD, and the poor animals languish. 
Swamps and lagoons are not uncommon in Trinidad. 
The largest lagoon is situate in the Haparimas, between 
the rivers Godineau and Sipero. It is of several miles 
