GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION. 
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three distinctive features. It is sandy in the south, of a 
rich black loam in tlie central parts, and of a reddish 
clay in the north. The central portion is that which is 
most cultivated and most productive, while as far as can 
be ascertained the sandy soil is the least productive. 
On the whole, the country presents a hat appearance 
to the eye, and in -this respect differs from the other 
islands of the Caribbean Sea. 
On the north coast, running from Point Galero to 
Point Monos, is the highest range of mountains. They are 
one range, yet present to the eye a series of sugar loaves 
meeting at their base. They are intersected by many 
valleys running at right angles with the range — that is, 
north and south — some of which are so near the level of 
the sea, that at a short distance you are led to. believe 
that they are separated. Between this range of moun- 
tains and the Montserrat range, there is a distance of 
some twenty miles, somewhat less at the eastern 
extremity and rather more at the western. The country 
lying between these two ranges is low and flat, especially 
on the western shore. It comprises the district of 
Caroni, Chaguanas, Couva, and Savanetto. The Caroni 
river is the largest river emptying itself into the Gulf of 
Paria. It debouches not far from the Port of Spain, and 
by raising a sand-bank of considerable length, somewhat 
interferes with the navigation of the gulf 
The Chaguanas, Couva, Guaracara, Sipero, and Godi- 
neau rivers also empty themselves into the gulf Most 
of these streams are navigable for a short distance inland, 
and are ascended by flats (a kind of barge), whicli take 
off the hogsheads of sugar to the vessels lymg at some 
distance from the shore. 
The whole country lying between the northern and 
]\Iontserrat ranges may be said to be flat land, and well 
adapted for the growth of the cane, wdth the exception 
of a tract called the Grand Savannah. In Chaguanas, 
Carapachaima, Couva, and Savanetta, there are many 
sugar plantations.. From the flatness of the country, thi.s 
