CHAP. I.J WEST INDIES. 19 
producing finer sugars, or such (I have been told 
by sugar refiners) as answer so well in the pan —an 
expression, signifying, as I understand it, a great¬ 
er return of refined sugar than common. The land 
alluded to is generally of a red colour; the shades 
of which, however, vary considerably, from a deep 
chocolate to a rich scarlet; in some places it ap¬ 
proaches to a bright yellow, but it is every where 
remarkable, when first turned up, for a glossy or 
shining surface, and if wetted, stains the fingers 
like paint. I have selected specimens which are 
hardly distinguishable, by the eye or the touch, 
from the substance called gamboge. Earths of va¬ 
rious shades of red and yellow, are found indeed 
in many other parts of the West Indies, but in 
none of them are observed the same glossy appear¬ 
ance and cohesion, as in the soil in question, which 
appears to me to consist of a native earth, or pure 
loam with a mixture of clay and sand. It is easily 
worked, and at the same time so tenacious, that a 
pond dug in this soil in a proper situation, with no 
other bottom than its own natural texture, holds 
water like the stiffest clay. It is remarkable how¬ 
ever, that the same degree of ploughing or pulve¬ 
rization, which is absolutely necessary to render stiff 
and clayey lands productive, is here not only unne¬ 
cessary but hurtful;—for though this soil is deep, 
it is at the same time far from being heavy; and it 
is naturally dry. As therefore, too much exposure 
to the scorching influence of a tropical sun, de¬ 
stroys its fertility, the system of husbandry on su¬ 
gar plantations, in which this soil abounds, is to 
