HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
211 
very earth; they then lay their eggs, which are speedily hatched, and the ground is 
covered with them: they soon hop about, and would shortly rise upon the wing if 
they were not destroyed. The mode of attaining this very important object is as 
follows: small holes are made in the ground about the size and depth of the crown 
of an hat, into which the Negroes, with small brooms, sweep the young tribes, and 
having covered them with earth, they press it down with their feet. As the practice 
is universal over the island, this mischievous insect is at length destroyed. 
The rats are very large, and issue from the woods during the night. In order to 
destroy them, the Negroes set traps along the border of the woods: they consist of 
wooden balls cut in half, the flat side being placed towards the ground; these are 
supported by three small pieces of wood, and some grains of maize are placed up 
them; so that when the rats seize on the bait, the semi-ball falls and crushes them. 
The monkies, very fortunately for us, never quit their retreats but during the 
day. Negro boys are placed to make a noise about the woods, in order to frighten 
them ; but these cunning animals will, if possible, discover some avenue which is not 
guarded, and carry off what they can find. Fowling-pieces and hounds are more 
effectual; but so great is their address and agility, that, though they are as large as 
a common spaniel, they contrive to hide themselves among the branches in such a 
manner, and leap from one tree to another with such rapidity, that it becomes a 
very difficult matter to destroy them. They have also a discipline, which I know 
not how to attribute to mere instinct; as,on their marauding parties, they have sen¬ 
tinels, who are placed in every necessary point, to give the signal of approaching 
danger. To these mischievous animals may be added, the hurricane and the dry 
seasons: the lightning is also very violent, and the thunder louder than is heard in 
other parts, from the position of the mountains. Torrents of rain and whirlwinds 
precede the hurricanes,which nothing can resist: but they are necessary evils, like 
our winters in France. We escaped them last year, and have been attacked by 
epidemical disorders. The small-pox still prevails. In China, that disease has been 
very fatal; and a ship coming from that country might readily infect our little Island. 
It is however worthy of observation, that the Isle of Bourbon has experienced 
the effects of four hurricanes, and we were not sensible of one of them. 
This circumstance has been very favourable to the cultivation of the banana, 
which are in great abundance, as violent winds are fatal to them. The tree, 
or rather the plant that bears this fruit, is about ten feet in height, and it may be cut 
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