378 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. 
Dominica is one of the British Antilles, in latitude 1 5| 
N., and longitude 61£ W. It is situated between the 
Drench Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and like 
them, it is a mass of mountains of volcanic structure. 
There is little that can be called level land, save the allu- 
vial flats of the larger river valleys. The spurs of the 
mountains usually come down to the sea, often ending in 
high cliffs and precipitous headlands. 
The town of Roseau, the capit of the Island, stands 
on its western shore, close to the mouth of the river 
The streets are narrow, and are paved with round stones, 
of which the largest may be 8 or 9 inches in diameter. In 
the middle of each street runs a gutter. There are no 
side-walks. The houses are irregularly disposed, and at 
present much decay is visible. Some of the houses are 
well built of trachyte, which is an abundant and easily 
worked material. It is of different shades of pink and 
grey, and its effect is decidedly pleasing, and when well 
selected, it is a durable stone ; but some blocks decay 
rapidly, and buildings may fall in consequence. The town 
has generally an air of decay -and poverty ; but directly 
one gets beyond the houses the aspect is pleasant. The 
grand mountains with their precipitous gorges, through 
which flow rapid rivers of the clearest water upon clean 
pebbly beds, form a magnificent background to the pic- 
turesque little town. Immediately at the back of the town 
there is a hill called ’Morne Bruce, where the military sta- 
tion formerly was, but since the soldiers have been with- 
drawn, some of the principal inhabitants have made it 
their residence. This hill is composed of volcanic rocks 
(d) upon which lies a marine formation. The coral reefs 
of the latter furnish lime for the department of public 
