540 
DES. T. ANDEESOX AND J. S. FLEET OX THE EEUPTIOXS OF THE 
The configuration of the whole valley showed that it had been eroded by running- 
water. It contained no actual structural craters, only “ soufrieres,” rising apparently 
along some line of fissure which runs from the cirque on the south along the 
western side of the stream channel. It has been noted that this year the activity is 
excej^tionally great, but no sjDecial violence has been seen to accompany the eruptions 
of Pelee or the Soufriere of St. Vincent.'^ 
According to the observations of Dr. Nicholls,! there was in January, 1880, a great 
outburst from the Grand Soufriere, which projected much steam and fine broken rock 
into the air. This was carried before the wind, and fell in Pozeau. The trees around 
the Soufriere were blackened and blasted, and the largest ones were projected to some 
distance. Since then the bush has never quite recovered its former luxuriance of 
It is rejDorted also that in GuadeloujDe there have been emissions of steam and fine 
ashes from the volcano ; but as so much that has appeared in the newspapers is 
imworthy of credit, and as we have had no opportunity of verifying the statements 
on the spot, we cannot say of what nature the disturbances have been. This matter 
will no doubt be fully treated of by the French Commissioners, who have included 
that island in the range of their inquiries. 
In conclusion, we desire to express our indebtednesss to the many residents in the 
British A¥est Indies and in Martinique, who gave us invaluable assistance in pursuing 
our investigations. The Scientific Commission was sent out, at the suggestion of the 
Colonial Office, by the Ptoyal Society of London, who defrayed Dr. Flett’s expenses 
out of the Government grant for scientific investigations. 
Sir Bobert Baxter Llewelyn, K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of 
the Windward Islands, and Sir Frederic Mitchell Hodgson, K.C.M.G., Governor 
of Barbados, gave us every facility for j^ursuing our work, and Mr. Edw'ARD John 
Cameron, Administrator of St. Vincent, Colonel Dalrymple Hay, Administrator 
of St. Lucia, and Mr. H. Hesketh Bell, Administrator of Dominica, rendered us 
great service by taking charge of our arrangements in their respective islands. 
In St. Vincent much information and assistance was given us by Mr. F. W. Grifeiths, 
Mr. J. H. Preston, Lieutenant Bobtnson, E.E., Surgeon-Major AVills, E.A.M.C., 
Mr. T. M. McDonald, Mr. Henry Powell, Mr. James E. Eichards, the Eev. 
Mr. Darrell, Dr. C. AV. Branch, Dr. Dunbar Hughes, Dr. Austin, Mr. Porter, 
Mr. Knowles, Air. Eobertson, Airs. Kella", Air. Isaacs and the officials in his 
* Descriptions of the Grand Soufriere and the Boiling Lake will be found in F. A. Ober, ‘ Camps 
in the Caribbees,’ 1880; and . GiFFORD Palgrave, ‘ L^lysses: or. Scenes and Studies in ^lany Lands,’ 
1887. 
t H. Alford Xiciiolls, ‘ Xature,’ vol. xxi. (1880), p. 372 
