i 13 
SOIL. 
The soil is various, generally light, 
black mould, mixed with gravel, clay, 
and in many parts sandy. The whole 
Island having been for ages covered with 
an immense forest, there was every where 
a fine vegetable mould, formed by the 
decayed leaves, as the woods were 
cleared, and the surface exposed to the 
weather; this, in a considerable degree, 
disappeared, particularly upon the point 
which is now entirely sand. The form¬ 
ing of a garden is here attended with 
much labour, as the manure soon sinks 
through ; a fine soft grass fortunately 
grows, which relieves the eye, that other¬ 
wise would suffer from the strong light of 
the sun. This soil is confined entirely to 
the Point, for, as you advance into the 
country, it becomes fit for every kind of 
B 4 
ll t 
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