154 TlMEHRI. 
opening up to cultivation of tracts of country at present 
unused. With a view to this object, an expedition, 
under sanction of the Government, has recently explored 
certain tracts in the interior of Dominica known as the 
Layou Flats, and has issued a report on the result of 
their observations. A copy of this report has been for- 
warded to us ; and from it we quote the following 
particulars : — 
" Masses of mountains, some attaining to the height of nearly 5,000 
feet, occupy a considerable portion of the north and south divisions of 
the island ; but in the centre is a break in the mountain system, and at 
this break are situated a series of plateaux, all having local names, but 
known generally as the Layou Flats. These plateaux stretch diagonally 
across the widest part of the island, at elevations varying from 500 to 
1,000 feet above the level of the sea ; in places they are broken by 
ravines and low mountain slopes, but for the most part, the land is flat 
and undulating. A reference to Byre's plan of 
Dominica will show that the Layou and Sara 
Flats, which appear to have been carefully surveyed, comprise together 
ao area of not less than 40 square miles. 
• . • 1 
" These lands belong to the Crown, they are covered with primeval 
forest, and they are well watered by four rivers. 
The basins of these rivers are separated from each other by low water- 
sheds which offer no serious obstacles to road engineering. • 
As far as can be at present judged, the road should be made through 
the basins of the rivers Layou and Clyde ; and as these are the two 
largest rivers in the island, it follows that such a line would open up 
the greatest extent of country, besides which it would connect the rich 
Lasoye district directly with the leeward coast, thereby doing much to 
develop the trade and agriculture of the island. 
" The forests of these interior flats contain trees of great value for 
building purposes, some of them furnishing hard woods and cabinet 
woods of considerable strength and beauty." 
Then follows an enumeration of some of the most 
desirable woods and of the uses to which these may be 
