190 
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION. 
trees, of which tlie graceful palm and the magnificent 
bombax stand forth conspicuous. The southern half 
is more deficient in wood, hut it presents beautifully 
diversified features, with patches of open park-like 
scenery. The altitude of the mountain, commands 
even in the dry season, an abundance of ■water, which 
expends itself in numerous rivulets in the hays. One 
very essential point in the island, is the absence of 
swampy and marshy ground, except in some few 
places. 
The principal settlement is in the crescentic little 
bay or cove of Clarence, at the northern extremity of 
the island, and is a better-looking place than could be 
anticipated, connected as it always is, in an English- 
man’s imagination, with the mortality which occurred 
in clearing it some years ago. The houses of the West 
African Company and the town are built on a clilf 
about one hundred feet above the level of the sea, 
— composed of tufas covering basalt ; but which, 
according to Mr. Roscher, the mineralogist, are of 
three different ages and relative positions. The lowest 
formation is a volcanic breccia, composed of pebbles, 
basalt, and ashes, products of volcanic action. The 
dip at the point is 5*’ to the north-east : near the town 
the formation lies nearly horizontal. The second is 
composed of thin layers of ashes, in which are embed- 
ded conglomerates, consisting of fragments of basalt, 
with a compact structure dipping 15” to the south. 
Tlie third formation is of an aqueous precipitate, com- 
