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THE MASCARENES 
occur almost every year. Three enormous craters or 
cauldrons are grouped round the Piton des Neiges. Their 
activity has long ceased and they are now covered with 
luxuriant vegetation. These cauldrons are Salazie, Mafate 
and Cilaos, names taken from three Malagasy: these 
were outlawed negroes who had broken the chains of 
Cilaos and Piton des Neiges (Reunion). 
slavery and had found a secure place of concealment 
here, living on roots and resorting indeed to robbery 
as well. The crater of Salazie, surpassingly rich in 
natural beauties, is the best known. It has an area of 
25,000 acres and in parts is well cultivated. At a place 
called Hellbourg there are hot springs, which, being 
strongly medicinal, are much visited. They were dis- 
