BOTANY. 
231 
received in their results accordingly, they are, nevertheless, valuable 
as showing what the well-watered, rich, basaltic soil of St. Helena is 
capable of producing. 
The Ailanthus tree, introduced from the Royal Gardens of Kew 
ten years ago, already proves that it is favourable to the Island. With 
this plant, and the Ricinus communis, as well as the common Mul- 
berry, growing wild in great abundance, the production of silk at 
St. Helena might very easily be undertaken. 
The cultivation of the Cinchona plant on the mountain land 
was, a few years ago, commenced by the Government ; and although 
the experiment, after three or four years’ careful management, pro- 
mised the greatest success, and cost but a few hundred pounds a 
year, it has most unfortunately been abandoned, in consequence of 
the efforts of a recent Governor to retrench expenditure. 
In the preparation of the catalogue of plants growing in St. 
Helena, I have viewed the Island as possessing three different cli- 
matic zones. The first is a rocky belt extending all round the 
coast, and for a mile inland ; it possesses a hot, scorching atmo- 
sphere, 10° F. higher in temperature than the mountain top, with 
every altitude from the sea level up to 2272 feet, and, but for the 
sheltered and watered ravines which intersect, is quite barren, if we 
except the short wire grass ( Cynodon Dactylori), a few exotics, and those 
indigenous plants which are peculiar to it. Where the term low land 
is used it applies to it ; and the letter C is employed to denote that 
a species is either entirely or principally confined to this locality. 
The second, or middle zone, is that belt lying inside of the first, 
and extending for three-quarters of a mile inland from it, with 
altitudes above the sea varying from 400 to 2000 leet. It is less 
rocky than the first, has a climate of about 5° F. lower temperature, 
and is characterized by a scanty vegetation, furze-clad slopes, 
the native Rosemary and Gumwood trees, with lir trees and 
a considerable amount of exotic vegetation. 1. he letter M is used 
to denote those species which are more particularly confined to this 
part. 
The remaining portion is the very centre of the Island, measuring 
about four miles long, and two and a quarter miles wide, with good 
depth of soil, and entirely covered with vegetation, where, in the cool 
temperate climate on the mountain top, grow the indigenous Com- 
posite, or Cabbage-trees and Ferns, surrounded by grassy slopes, 
