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CARCINOLOGICA

ST. HELENA.

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ST. HELENA

A

PHYSICAL, HISTORICAL, AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND,

INCLUDING ITS

Jfamxa, jftam, mx& llleteorfllogn.

BY

JOHN CHARLES MELLISS, A.I.C.E., F.G.S., F.L.S.

LATE COMMISSIONER ON CROWN PROPERTY, SURVEYOR AND ENGINEER OP THE COLONY.

THE BOTANICAL PLATES FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS

By MRS. J. C. MELLISS.

LONDON :

L. REEVE & CO., 5, HENRIETTA STREET, CO VENT GARDEN.

1875.

LONDON

SAVXLL, EDWARDS AND CO., PRINTERS, CHANDOS STREET,
COVENT GARDEN.

Co tlj£ gUmorg

OF

MY FATHER,

WHO SEEYED MANY YEAES IN ST. HELENA,

AND WHO GEEATLY ENCOUEAGED THTS WOEK BY THE
DEEP 1NTEEEST HE TOOK IN IT.

PREFACE.

There is perhaps no other spot in the whole world which geogra-
phically presents so great an interest to the naturalist as St. Helena.
A small Island, distinctly of volcanic origin, bearing no trace
whatever of any continental land having existed nearer to it than a
thousand miles or more, and yet possessing plants and insects that
have not been found elsewhere in the world, at once suggests the
inquiry, How did these things get there? The interest attaching
to such a question was revealed to me by the late Sir William
Hooker, about thirteen years ago, when he led me to see in the
peculiar Fauna and Flora of such a spot subjects of the greatest
scientific value. Subsequently encouraged by Dr. Hooker, C.B.,
F.E.S., General Sir Edward Sabine, it. A., K.C.B., F.Ii.S., Mr. T.
Vernon Wollaston, M.A., F.L.S., Dr. Gunther, F.R.S., F.Z.S., Dr.
Gray, F.lt.S., Mr. Francis Walker, F.L.S., Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys,
F.Ii.S., the Eev. 0. P. Cambridge, M.A., Mr. IT. W. Bates, F.Z.S.,
and others, I realized the importance of some attempt being made
to commence an account of the Fauna and Flora of what may be
termed the South Atlantic Archipelago, comprising St. Helena,
Ascension Island, Trinidad with Martin Vaz Eocks, Tristan
d’Acunha with Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands, Gough’s
Island, Fernando Noronha near Cape St. lioque in South America,
St. Pauls and St. Thomas s Islands near the Equator, Anno Bon
ofi the coast of tropical Africa, and Possession Island on the coast
of Southern Africa. A carefully prepared, and systematically
arranged, account of the productions of each of these places, and a
comparison between them and the productions of the adjacent con-
tinents of South America and South Africa, would doubtless reveal
many truths in which science would delight ; but such a work would
occupy an amount of time and labour far surpassing that which one
person, even were he free from official duties, could possibly supply.

PBEFACJE.

viii

That a commencement, however, as a sort of foundation whereon
others might continue to build, should be made, seemed to me
desirable, as a first step whereby a whole might ultimately he attained.
It being my lot to be stationed at St. Helena, I have endeavoured,
with the limited time at my disposal, to make that Island a starting-
point in such a work ; and if it appears presumptuous to publish the
little I have been able to achieve, I would explain, that it is done
with the hope that others, who have the opportunity, may take up
the thread of the subject, and add the Fauna and Flora of some one
or more of the other Islands, until all shall be completed.

It is evident that as each year passes by it becomes more and
more difficult to distinguish between the really indigenous species
and those which have followed in the track of civilization ; but the
difficulty is not so great as at first sight appears, if peculiar circum-
stances are observed, localities carefully noted, and the collections
investigated, as mine have been, by eminently scientific men. My
warmest thanks are due not only to those gentlemen I have already
mentioned, but others also, who have examined and described my
specimens, and in many ways, with much kindness and courtesy,
encouraged and assisted me in the undertaking; especially Mr.
Francis Walker, who has named nearly the whole of my insects,
excepting the Coleoptera, and permitted me to use his original
descriptions of new species.* I have myself endeavoured to aim at
accuracy, and not having collected elsewhere, I can claim exemption
from the possibility of my specimens having become mixed with any
from other places.

Those species which are without doubt indigenous to the
Island are distinguished by an asterisk prefixed to their names,
while others have their chief habitat denoted. To each I have
endeavoured to add the local name or some short description, by
which it may be readily recognised by persons who may be interested
in continuing to collect, but who cannot spare the necessary time to
make a full study of the subject.

My ideas on the geological formation of the Island were formed,
and my notes thereon written, before I met with the account given
by Mr. Darwin, after his short visit to the Island in the Beagle ,

* Since this preface was written, I have, with very great regret, heard of the death of
Mr. Walker, and I would wish to thank Mr. Janson for kindly correcting the proofs of
Mr. Walker’s original descriptions.

PREFACE.

IX

thirty years ago, and before I bad the pleasure of examining the
Island in company with Captain J. B. Oliver, It. A., a few years ago,
wh° subsequently published a pamphlet on the subject; audit is
extiemely satisfactory to me to find that in the main points we are

all unanimous in opinion as to the geological constraction of the
Island.

Mr. Andrew Murray, F.L.S., in a very interesting paper, recently
published,* on the geographical relations of the chief Coleopterous
launa, taking as a basis the theory of " continuity of soil at some
former period,” to explain the present geographical distribution of
plants and animals over the globe, expresses his conviction “ that
tlieie has been one, possibly two, great continental routes of com-
munication between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, both
7* ^ in ocean, the one at the bottom of the

tl antic, the other in the depths of the Pacific and points to St.
e^entl us a crucial test to the hypothesis of a communication
etween the Northern and Southern Hemispheres by an Atlantic con-
tinent. Mr. Poland Trimen, F.L.S., F.Z.S., having himself visited
some of the Atlantic islands, shows in a subsequent paper, f with some
odd notes, a disinclination to favour this theory of dispersal, and
refers^ to the opinion of Mr. Darwin (Orig. of Spec., 4th edit.
P' 427) as being also unfavourable to such an hypothesis. As regards
le Oceaihc Islands, of which St. Helena forms a type, it seems to
ine that the hypothesis is not in any way borne out by an inves-
tigation of the geological structure of the Island, but, on the
contraiy, e\ery characteristic of that volcanic mass seems to point
0 an enth*ely insular land of vast antiquity.

branch of Natural History is perhaps so calculated to
convey a correct idea of a place as its Botany, and a careful and
ull account of even its exotic plants and flowers, with the par-
iculars and peculiarities which surround them, would in this respect
not be without some value. I have therefore endeavoured to make
my list include every plant that is found in the Island; and in
Uoing so I have had the aid of Dr. Roxburgh’s Catalogue, and
a so been fortunate enough, through the kindness of Dr. Hooker, to
ave my own collection examined and identified at the Kew Her-
barium, where I have received much kind and ready assistance from

* Journal Linn. Soc., vol. xi. No. 49, 1870.

t Ibid. No. 52, 1871. 1

J

X

PREFACE.

the staff of botanists. I am also indebted to Mr. Hemsley for
assistance in this portion of the work.

My collections of Mosses, Lichens, Fungi, and Seaweeds have
respectively been examined and reported on by Mr. William
Mitten, F.L.S., the Eev. W. Allport Leighton, B.A., F.L.S., the
Eev. M. J. Berkeley, M.A., F.L.S., and Professor Dickie, F.L.S.,
to whom I would offer my best thanks ; especially to Mr. Mitten
and Mr. Berkeley for original descriptions and drawings of new
species.

To Dr. Hooker I am extremely indebted for placing at my
disposal the whole of Dr. Burchell’s valuable collection of sketches,
from which, and the “leones Plantarum,” Mrs. Melliss has added
to her drawings of the Indigenous Plants the enlarged details of the
flowers.

The Historical Notes have been gathered chiefly from old records
and documents preserved in the Government Office at St. Helena,
as well as from Brook’s “ History of St. Helena” (a book now long
out of print, and for the possession of which I am indebted to the
kindness of Colonel Ward, late of H.M. 91st Begiment), and have
been added for the information of those whose interest in the Island
may have been increased through residing at or visiting it.

The Meteorological Tables, given in the Appendix, are quoted
from the published account of “ Five Years’ Observations at Long-
wood,” under the direction of General Sir Edward Sabine, E. A.

John Charles Melliss.

London, January , 1875.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

PREFACE vii

PART I.— HISTORICAL 1

„ II.— GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY ... 46

„ HI.— ZOOLOGY 79

„ IV.— BOTANY 221

„ V. — METEOROLOGY 384

APPENDIX 396

INDEX 409

ERRATA ET ADDENDA.

Page 1, for “ 5° 49' west longitude,” read “ 5° 42' west longitude.”

„ line 8 from bottom, for “ green” read “ clad.”

,, 85, for “ Oalla” read “ Ricliardia.’’

„ 93, for “ terebrata’’ read “ religiosa.”

„ 94, for “ Salsola” read “ Schoberia.”

„ 134, 135, 136, for “Nitioxenua” read “ Notioxenus.”

,, 245, Genus Melijanla should also have for synonym Pentapetes, Forst.

Species Ho. 95, should also have for synonyms Donibeya erythroxylon,
Willd. and Pentapetes erythroxylon, Bot. Mag. t. 1000.

Species No. 96, should also have for synonym Donibeya erythroxylon,
Andr. Bot. Repos, vi. t. 389, not of Willdenow.

„ 255, Species Nos. 155, 156, 157 should be placed under Pittospoke.e.

„ 286, Plate 37, for “ rugosum” read “ glutinosns.”

„ 356, for “ Dicksonia arborea” read “ Dichsonia arborescens.”

ILLUSTRATIONS.

St. Helena, from tlae Anchorage Frontispiece.

Map of South Atlantic Ocean 1

South Atlantic Post Office of 1645 .... 4

Napoleon’s Tomb ' ' ' 2?

St. Paul’s Church 32

St. Matthew’s Church, Longwood . 34

St. James Church, Jamestown 37

Room in which Napoleon died at Longwood 39

Geological Map 46

Geological sections 4g

View in Sandy Bay ’ ' ’ ' 50

Volcanic Bombs, road side, Swampy Gut .52

Bell Stone, a mass of Phonolite near Shipways, which, when struck, emits a

sound resembling a deep-toned bell 52

Detached portion of Cliff, N.B. side of Gregories 58

View, northward, down Lemon Valley 58

View, looking south from the sea, of the Barn and Flagstaff Hill 60

View, looking south, of lateral Volcanic Cone, High Knoll 60

The Friar Rock 62

View, looking south, of the Waterfall, site of an extinct Solfatam .' .’ ’ ’ ’ 64

Dike, called the Chimney, on South Coast g4

North-east view of Turk’s Cap and Barn, showing denudation ’ ’ ’ ’ 66

South-west view of Great Dike, Speery 70

South-west view of Great Dike, Lot, Lot’s Wife, Ass’s Bars, &c. ’ ’ ‘ ‘ 70

Portion of Great Dike— Lot’s Wife 72

Portion of Great Dike — Ass’s Bars 79

-dtgialitis sanctsB-hclen® gg

Delphmus sp.?, Serranus impetiginosus, Priacanthus sp. ?, Chastodon sanctas-

helen*, bargus capensis, Scorpsena mellissii ^q2

Sebastes mgropunctatus, Holocentrum longipinne, Seriola lalandii, Licliia glauca,

Scomber colias, Salarias atlanticus 4Qg

da sanctse-helen®, Julis sanctse-helense, Scarus strigatus, Physiculus dal-
vi-.kii, Saurus inyops, Beloue lovii, Chilomycterus reticulatus HQ

XIV

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Helisiga sanctse-helense, Bulimus auris-vulpina, Crab caught at Breakneck

Valley 12 0

Haplothorax burchellii, Calosoma haligena, Mellissius adumbratus, Sciobius

subnodosus, Cydonia lunata, Pasithea pulchra 138

Frankenia portulacsefolia 239

Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum 241

Pharnaceum acidum 242

Melhania erythroxylon 245

Melhania melanoxylon 246

Pelargonium cotyledonis 250

Nesiota elliptica 256

Pkylica rainosissima 258

Lichtensteinia Burchellii 278

Sium Helenianum 280

Hedyotis arborea 282

Aster Burchellii 284

Aster glutinosus 286

Aster gummiferus 288

Commidendron robustum 290

Melanodendron integrifolium 292

Psiadia rotundifolia 294

Petrobium arboreum 296

Lachanodes prenanthiflora * . . . . 298

Pladaroxylon leucadendron 300

Ti'ipteris Burchellii 302

Lobelia sctevolifolia 304

Wahlenbergia angustifolia 306

Wahlenbergia linifolia . ■ 308

Wahlenbergia Burchellii 310

Plantago robusta 312

Mellissia begonifolia 314

Acalypha reticulata 318

Carex praealta 342

Dicksonia arborescens 354

Polypodium Dianse 356

Fissidens Helenicus, Lophocolea serrata, Tylimanthus anisodon, Lejeunia

pterota, Polyporus (Anodermei) induratus 366

LJUavc So Co., London.

ST. HELENA,

PART I. — HISTORICAL.

J^T. HELENA is the most solitary island of the Southern
Atlantic Archipelago. In 15° 55' south latitude and 5° 49'
west longitude, alone it stands, in the very midst of the South
tlantic Ocean, 1140 miles distant from the African Continent on
°ne side, 1800 from South America on the other, 698 from the
Island of Ascension, and 4000 from England. No human eye
ever saw this rocky spot in its primeval grandeur until the 21st
of May in the year 1502, when one of the earliest and bravest
na\ igators, Commodore J ohn de Nova Castella, commanding a
Portuguese fleet on its return from India, discovered it. He found
there no aborigines, nor was any trace of man’s work to be seen.
This celebrated voyager with his companions had, however, the
satisfaction of seeing the Island in all the pristine beauty of its
native vegetation. Unfortunately in those days it never occurred to
them to make a collection of its plants, or other productions ; and all
we know of it at that period is, that rich vegetation clothed its surface,
the interior being described as an entire forest, with Gfumwood
and other indigenous trees overhanging some of the sea precipices.
It requires some amount of faith on the part of the modern traveller,
when told this, to see in the now dark, frowning, barren, rocky
outside of St. Helena any probability of its ever having been green
with verdure ; but there are good reasons for believing the record
of the discoverers to be correct. An abundance of fresh water,
running down the valleys into the sea, existed then as now, but
the only inhabitants seem to have been sea birds, seals, sea lions,
and turtle ; at least we are not informed of any others, although
it is elsewhere recorded that one land bird was found there. These
early navigators were generally on the look out for new islands, and

B

2

ST. HELENA.

were quite prepared to stock and to colonize them whenever it
was their fortune to discover them. The former they were quite
prepared for on this occasion, by the fact of their having with them,
and their leaving at the Island, a supply of goats, asses, and hogs,
hut it does not appear that any human being remained ; nature was
left in possession to reign alone for eleven years longer, disturbed
only by the battle which has waged ever since between the goats and
the native vegetation.

The day of its discovery being the anniversary of the birthday
of Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, the island was
called St. Helena, in honour thereof, by the Portuguese, and has
retained the same name ever since.

In the year 1513, the Portuguese, partly with a view to colonize
the place, and partly, as was their custom, to dispose of a prisoner,
returned there from India, and left as its first human inhabitant
Fernandez Lopez, a nobleman, who having incurred disgrace through
desertion, was so rewarded ; previously he had been mutilated by
his nose, ears, right hand and little finger of the left hand being cut
off, and he appeared to prefer this banishment to the reproach which
he must suffer on being taken home to Europe. He thus had the
honour of being the first Governor of St. Helena, and was provided
with a few negro slaves, pigs, goats, poultry, partridges, guinea
fowl, pheasants, peacocks, vegetables, roots, fig, orange, lemon and
peach trees. After this poor creature had spent four years in
cultivating the soil, his Eobinson Crusoe style of life came to an end
by his removal through orders from Portugal.

The Portuguese continued to make use of the Island as a place of
call for homeward bound ships. On the 8th June, 1588, it was
visited by Captain Cavendish, who anchored his ship off Chapel
Valley (now James’ Valley), and found there a settlement comprising
several good buildings and a Eoman Catholic church. The attempts
of the Portuguese to introduce useful plants had evidently succeeded,
for fig, lemon, orange, pomegranate, shaddock and date trees were
then growing there, as well as parsley, sorrel, basil, fennel, aniseed,
mustard, and radishes; he moreover found partridges, pheasants,
guinea cocks or turkeys, with a large number of goats and wild
pigs. Captain Cavendish had a good opportunity of investigat-
ing the place on this occasion, as it appears that he escaped
meeting there the Portuguese homeward bound fleet by twenty

HISTORICAL .

3

days, it having sailed just that time before his arrival. He does not
seem to have molested the St. Helenians, for he took his departure
after twelve days ; and the next visit of the English appears to have
been in the year 1591, when Captain Kendall, commanding one of
three ships which undertook the first trading voyage to India, and
having only reached the Cape of Good Hope, was obliged to return,
and called at the Island. One of the ships, commanded by Captain
Lancaster, succeeded in reaching India, and on its return he visited
®t. Helena on the 3rd April, 1593, remaining there nineteen days,
bhe place does not then appear, notwithstanding the flourishing
condition in which it was found by Captain Cavendish only five
} ears before, to have been a very desirable residence, for it is recorded
that Captain Lancaster found there one of the crew of Captain
Kendall’s ship, who was so overjoyed at once more beholding the
faces of his countrymen, and the prospect of revisiting his native

country, that for eight days he took no rest and died for want of
sleep.

Probably the next visit of the English was when Captain
Lancaster again arrived there, on the 16th June, 1603, on his return
a second time from India, with two out of a fleet of four ships, that
bad left England in the interest of the East India Company. It
became, about this time — little more than a century after its dis-
covery— a resort of Dutch and Spanish ships, as well as English ; and
Portuguese authority seems to have lessened, through that power
being interested in acquiring possessions elsewhere, and the Island
w as f°r awhile deserted, though still used by the captains and crews of
ships as a South Atlantic Post Office. It was customary to place
letters under huge boulders of stone, marked in a conspicuous
manner, so that the crews of ships returning from India mP'ht
obtain news from home. An interesting record of this period is still
to be seen on a rude block of lava, measuring nearly five feet high
and two feet six inches wide, which has been preserved by bein«- subse-
quently built into a large mass of masonry or mausoleum, in the James-
town lower burial ground, erected “ In Honour of the Memory of
Mistress Ann Pyke, a.d. 1716,” but hideous enough to terrify the
ghost of that good lady, should it ever indulge in midnight rambles.

I lie Dutch traders to the East were the next to appropriate this
deserted oceanic highway resting-place. They took possession of and
retained it until the year 1651, when, in consequence of their esta-

b 2

4

ST. HELENA.

Wishing a colony at the Cape of Good Hope, they left St. Helena, and
the English East India Company, being fully alive to its value, imme-
diately took possession of it. They held it for ten years, and then
obtained from King Charles the Second a charter to secure them in

SOUTH ATLANTIC POST OFFICE OF 1645.

its further possession. This Company becoming absolute owners of
the place, at once commenced to establish a small colony. They
erected fortifications, introduced settlers from England as well as
new plants and stock, so that a general improvement took place,
which so excited the covetous desires of its recent possessors, the

HISTORICAL.

5

Dutch, that in the year 1665 they successfully attacked and again
ook possession of it. The English, however, speedily retook it, and
Within twelve months were in full possession ; but these proceedings
impressed them with the importance of strengthening their fortifica-
tions, and accordingly they pulled down the original fort, built in
1659, of which a stone record yet remains, and erected another,
which doubtless forms the basement story of the present castle in
Jamestown. This they called Fort James, in compliment to the I
then Duke of York (afterwards King James the Second), and '
this accounts doubtless for the change of name, about this period,

fiom Chapel A alley to James Valley, and more recently to James-
town.

P hefchei, duiing the first seven years of their renewed possession,
no ls i were too much occupied with building fortifications and
improving the place to spare time for recording their transactions or
not is uncertain, but it is a fact that no written accounts of that
period are forthcoming, and from tradition only is it gathered that
ie place was governed successively by men whose names were
Dutton, Stringer, Swallow, Coney, and Bennett. They were sue-
ee ed by Captain Anthony Beale, during whose government, in
ie yeai 1673, the Dutch again took it, but not without considerable
resistance on the part of the English, who were somewhat prepared
or the attack. The Dutch, on this occasion, made their first
a empt to land at Lemon Valley, on the leeward coast, but were
observed by the English, who repulsed and drove them back with
s owers of rocks and stones hurled down the steep hill sides, until
they were compelled to seek shelter on board of their ships. Even
m modern warfare of the present day such a fusilade would be most
iormidable, but it only increased the determination of the Dutch for
repossession; accordingly they waited until the darkness of niolit came
on, when fortunately for them an Island planter, who with his
slave had been fishing on the coast, lighted a fire to cook his
supper The Dutch, espying the light from their ships, directed their
course towards it, and landed at a part called Bennett’s Point. Pro-
ably by threats, they influenced the slave to guide them up the
intricate paths of Swanly Valley to the mountain land near High

V ^ ie English also were on the alert, and were there pre-
mi • . ° meet them with a iorce of 500 men from the Island garrison,
t e of High Peak, which then took place, resulted in favour

6

ST. HELENA.

of the invaders, who pushed onwards by way of Ladder Hill towards
Fort James, into which the Governor and inhabitants had retired.
After long and tedious attacks upon this fort it yielded to the Dutch-
The Governor and English inhabitants, with their effects, made their
escape on board of ships then in the harbour to the coast of Brazil,
where, as good fortune would have it, they fell in with a British
squadron under the command of Captain, afterwards Sir, Bichard
Munden, proceeding outwards for convoy to the East India home-
ward-bound fleet. Captain Munden, on learning what had happened
at St. Helena, resolved to attempt its recapture, and immediately
with his ships made sail for the Island, arriving there on the 14th
May, 1673. Being unobserved, and quite unexpected by the Dutch,
early on the following morning he landed 200 men, under the com-
mand of Captain Kedgwin, at a spot on the eastern coast, which
they called Prosperous Bay, and with them also a slave named
Oliver, who had lately fled from St. Helena with Governor Beale.
Their landing-place still retains the name of Kedgwin’s Bock.
Oliver, the slave, being well acquainted with the Island, piloted this
little army inland up the steep and rugged cliffs until they reached
an almost insurmountable precipice, which seemed to check their
further progress, when one of the party named Tom, taking with him
a ball of twine, and encouraged by the repeated exhortations of his
companions, achieved the difficult and dangerous task of scaling it.
By means of his ball of twine, Tom was able to establish a rope com-
munication to assist his companions up the cliff, and in honour to
his exploit the place to this day retains the name of “ Holdfast Tom.”
Captain Kedgwin and his army, having safely ascended the preci-
pice, were able to gain the heights of Longwood, and proceeding by
way of Huts Gate, where they obtained food from some cottagers,
took up a position on the top of Bupert’s Hill, overlooking James-
town on its eastern side. During all this time Captain Munden,
with his squadron, was making his way to the northern side of the
Island, and appearing in front of Fort James just at the same time
as Captain Kedgwin’s army came up behind it, so astonished the
Dutch that they immediately surrendered. The English then
landed, and placing two guns in position on the hill to the eastward
of Fort James, as a precautionary measure, thus commenced the for-
tification known to this day as Munden’s Battei’y. This repossession
by the English was accomplished in so short a space of time, and

HISTORICAL.

7

there being no mail steamers or cablegrams in those days, intelli-
gence ot it had not reached Holland before a governor had been sent
out to succeed the Hutch officer (supposed to be named Dyke) who
had been temporarily placed in charge of the Island. Captain
Mundcn had therefore the satisfaction of taking him prisoner on his
arrival at St. Helena, as well as making prizes of several richly-laden
Hutch ships, which, in total ignorance of what had taken place, put
into the roadstead on the homeward-bound voyage. He then left
the Island in charge of Captain Kedgwin. King Charles the Second
again granted, by Charter dated 16th December, 1673, the rights
and powers of sovereignty to the East India Company, as lords pro-
prietors of vhe Island,' who constituted a local government and raised
an Eui opean garrison for its defence. Captain Kedgwin wras, by his own
wish, soon after succeeded by a new governor, Captain G. Field, and
t eie is leason to believe that his valuable services, as well as Slave
Oliver’s, were remembered by the East India Company. Governor
ield s membeis of council were not appointed by competitive exami-
nation ; three of them being unable to sign their names, were well
satisfied to assent to the Board s proceedings by affixing a hierogly-
p lical mark instead; nevertheless they managed very well the affairs
of the countiy. Amongst other efforts to improve it they induced
ur opean s to settle there, obliging each owner of ten acres to main-
tain one Euiopean capable of bearing arms; landowners themselves
a so being required to do so, and to join the militia corps whenever
t anger tin eatened. They built batteries and mounted guns in
various parts, and were no less strict in their moral code of
laws than they were cruel in the punishments inflicted. Obser-
vance of Sunday was most strictly enjoined by proclamation as
follows : —

“ The Lord’s Day be religiously observed through the said Island,
and all persons hereby enjoyned to abstaine from all Bodily labour,
unnecessary travell, or any secular employment (except workes of
necessity and charity), and noe person presume to spend any part of
that day in unlawfull sports, but all (who are able) are required to
resort every Lord’s day unto Publique place or places, where the
worsinpp of Almighty God is celebrated, and there joyne together in

g j. c°py °t this charter as well as a copy of tha

1661 is printed in Brooke’s Hist, of

8

ST. HELENA.

the solemne exercises of Eight Duties, and attendance upon God’s
holy ordinances.” Also carefully to avoid the “ odious sinnes of pro-
phane swearing and curseing or commonly takeing the holy name of
the Great Glorious God in vaine, and to abstaine from Drunckenness,
stealing, thieving, and other horrid vices and wickednesses.”

Transgression of such laws was soon followed by punishment,
for we read that one “ Sarah Marshall had one-and-thirty lashes on
her naked body at the flagstaffe for scandelizing Captain Bendall.”
And “ Parnum was fined 5s. for working on the Lord’s day, and his
wife !.<?. for cursing the Island.” But the severe determination to
maintain order is more apparent by the following : — Sottoe, a slave,
being chastised by his master, retaliated by attacking him with his
knife ; he did not murder or do his master much harm, but there
being some dread of an insurrection amongst the blacks at the time,
poor Sottoe was destined to be made an example of. Vainly he
pleaded that a fellow slave named Bowland had instigated the
attack on his master, and that he was urged on while under the
exciting influence of a pipe of tobacco which he had stolen and
smoked. It was ordered that his hand, wherewith he attacked liis
master, was to be cut off; he was then to be hanged, and when dead
his head cut off and placed on the top of the Market-house as a
caution to all other transgressors. Eowland was not allowed to
escape either ; he was to be led, with a rope round his neck, to
witness his companion’s execution, and after forty stripes ad-
ministered on his naked body to have a pair of iron pothooks
riveted round his neck until further orders. This frightful sentence
was not, however, fully carried out. Sottoe’s hand was cut off in
presence of all the blacks, but his life was spared. The most
common military punishment adopted was riding the wooden horse,
as we see in the case of a soldier named William Melling, who, for
swearing and incivility, “ doe ride the wooden horse two houres
with a bag of shott at each heele ;” also, “ Bichard Honeywood who
doe rid ye wooden horse halfe an houre wth two musketts at each
heele for slighting the Government and malitiously revenging him-
selfe.” Slaves were punished by seventy-five lashes, with five drops
of burning sealing-wax dropped on the naked body, for attempting
to get away from the Island; while other terrible measures were
dealt out to similar offenders.

The English occupation of the Island was never again disturbed

HISTORICAL. 9

J foieign powers, and it has remained a British possession ever
since. Governor Field was succeeded by Major John Blackmore, a
man of great piety, who unfortunately, in consequence of the had
loads existing at the time, slipped off the path near Chubb’s Spring
anc was killed. This did not happen, however, until after he had
cone much for the improvement of the place; a court of justice,
assembling four times in a year, was established; a similar code of
aws as that in force at Bombay was adopted; but trial by jury, in
consequence of the smallness of the community, was only allowed
T ?*e Ufe’ dmb’ or land were concerned, all other cases being
ec.cec, y the Governor and Council by vote. At this time,
coroner s juries sat and brought in such verdicts as this — “That all
nanimously agree and verily believe that the said Denning dyed a
tlm ffl C ta^’ be 'ulvc^no bin long under a lingring distemper of
I0?r +1 Ti lliS body WOrud to a Perfect anathomy.” In the year
non “ u u nd WaS llonoured b3r a visit from the celebrated astro-
on , h- i a ej’ lo1' the PurPose of observations ; he pitched his tent
bni . U^,m°Ulltain rid§e’ sti11 bearing the name of “Halley’s Mount,”
+v XaC 1 U)U says t],at clouds and mist so surrounded the position of
+i SaVU“ aS t0 m Serially diminish his opportunities for observa-
( , j . -TOVe™or Blackmore was succeeded by the Deputy-Governor
coil?, . ,°Sbua d°hnson- For uPwards of twenty years the little
all tl " •lai< , U1 Ved and ProsPered- There were certain times when
at F 6 ,inJ‘abltants were squired to assemble, like one large family
a iort James to be inspected. Crime seldom exceeded the very
easy one of getting into debt, or slander, or such trivial offences
overnor Johnson was notably a good man, but there had been
ei am eelmgs of dissatisfaction growing up amongst the soldiers
winch he had failed to observe, and which, for want of beiim nipped

“ the,bud’ termmated fatally him. On the 21st April 1693
ie retned unsuspectingly to rest as usual within Fort James’

Amongst the State guard, on that night, was a soldier named

^b th^Tl ’ Wlth T™ °f biS C°mrades’ had Pruned a scheme to
in the 1 77 anf eSCape °m the Island- When all was quiet
several ' T r °f aUd tL® Govevnor slept soundly, they let

the fort" a Iril '0m " gU"dB Wh° Were ^ir secret into

guards calhn T T^’ by °Ue’ to aI1 the other

who obi f ? th?m m al5°- °n imparting their plans, any
jected to join them were immediately imprisoned without

10

ST. HELENA.

noise in a dungeon built underground in the fort for the purpose of
securing “ villinous and desperat blacks.” Governor J ohnson was a
remarkably early riser, and at daylight in the morning when he
came out in his “ gowne and slippers,” according to custom, to give
the keys to the sergeant of the guard, he was forcibly seized by
Jackson and several others well armed ; doubtless they intended
putting him also into the dungeon alive, but, on the Governor
resisting, three of the party fired at and hit him in the head,
mortally wounding him, but at the same time wounding Jackson in
the arm. Having so far succeeded, the determination and cruelty of
these ruffians became unbounded; they hurriedly disposed of the
wounded Governor by throwing him into the guard house, but in
order to quiet his wife, who had been aroused by the noise, they
permitted her, with the assistance of two negro women, to drag his
body upstairs to her own bedroom. The surgeon whom they had
taken from the dungeon to dress Jackson’s wound, was permitted by
them, after they were well assured of the impossibility of his
recovery, to visit the Governor, who died that night. The next act
of these murderers was to secure all the roadways by which intelli-
gence might penetrate to the country, all soldiers from the garrison
who came to the fort being cast into the dungeon where they already
had fifty prisoners ; others being sent to spike the guns overlooking
the anchorage, while the ringleaders went into the Governor’s closet
and brought away all the treasure, the whole party proceeding with
it on board of a ship named Francis and Mary , then lying in the
roads, taking with them also the Lieutenant-Governor and several
others, who, with the master of the vessel, they retained as their
prisoners for the purpose of exchange, in order to procure the
necessary supplies for their intended voyage. They sent one of their
pai'ty on shore to intimate their intention of killing the prisoners
unless their demand was complied with, and so they obtained
provisions, exchanging their prisoners for them, at a spot half way
between the ship and the shore, where they were beyond the range
of the fort guns. Thus did these daring villains carry out their
carefully planned scheme and escape no one knew whither. On
shore a vei’y chaos of excitement succeeded. The Lieutenant-
Governor, Captain Richard Keelinge, took the reins of Government ;
but the success of this plot spread the spirit of insubordination
throughout the colony, and he had greatly to exercise his ability to

HISTORICAL.

11

keep it in check, not only amongst the European garrison but the
slaves also. He saw the arrival of an era for decisive action,
and, like the saving of our West Indian possessions and the lives of
ie v nte lesidents there, through Governor Eyre’s prompt measures,
e a so no sooner became aware of a conspiracy on the part of the blacks

0 massacie the Europeans, and follow Jackson’s steps, than, without
waiting to ask his honourable masters in England what he should do,
ie stamped it out by securing the ringleaders, one of whom was

langed alive in chains on Ladder Hill and starved to death,”
w n e the other two were also “ hanged but cut down alive, and
leu quarters and heads put in some publique crossway for the

remenj6 ' '°'V negros.” Horrible as this was, we must

m 61 ^ happened nearly two centuries ago, when punish-

1 , S "eie ^en times as severe as they are now. Such is the change
^ ..U° ^ about by civilization, that a man who worries and tears his

W1 i a bull dog, is in England at the present time sentenced
y an ^ nglish magistrate to a few months’ imprisonment only;
v n e in those days a poor creature who attempted to injure his
mas er by putting ground glass on the joint of meat served for his
supper, was condemned to be burnt in the presence of all the adult

i IL' in ^le P^ace> each one of them being compelled to bring in a
toad of wood to help in burning him.

Governor Keelinge died, after a long illness, in 1697, and was
succeeded by Captain Stephen Poirier, whose government was
vec^ by any particular events. Hews of the war between
lance and England reached them in due time, and defensive steps
were taken ; nevertheless two of the Company’s ships were boarded
and cut out of the roadstead by two French two-deckers, which went
m under Dutch colours in broad daylight. As soon as they were
discovered, the Governor gave orders to fire upon them. But alas !
the powder was not at hand, neither would the sponges fit the guns ;
and, as he had no Whitworth or Armstrong cannon, the French
ships with their prizes were soon beyond reach. To guard against
another occurrence of this kind, the Company directed that all ships
approaching the harbour should communicate first by boat with
ankses, and this was notified to them much in the same manner as
■at °W Ve News, one penny, to the British public at the

ropo itan i ail way stations; a huge board with large letters,
c mg them to send a boat,” was placed on Buttermilk Point,

12

ST. HELENA.

where it remains to this day, though not in such a fair and gaudy
condition as the newspaper announcement.

Under the fostering care of the East India Company, this little
colony continued to grow up and flourish, during the next hundred
and thirty-years. They lavished large sums of money upon it
in doing all that could be done to make it prosper ; they fortified it
in almost every spot where cannon could be placed, so that at the
present time it is dotted all over with obsolete batteries and guns.
They viewed it, in fact, as their pet child, and as many another has
done, it turned out in the end to be their spoilt child. So jealous
were they of its welfare, that lest it should in any way become con-
taminated, they punished witchcraft severely, turned Quakers away,
and would not suffer a lawyer to dwell there, lest unnecessary liti-
gation should occupy the minds of the people. But with all their
anxiety, the Company was sadly unfortunate in the selection of its
clergy ; one after another they served to cause dissension instead of
union, and to such an extent that, in 1719, Governor Pike deemed
it necessary to interfere, and very justly “ reprimanded the parson for
making great alterations and omissions in the Church service ; and
since then, to make us amends, he had read the prayer for the
Honble Company, but leaves out their being Lords proprietors of the
Island ; and whereas, before it was used by all chaplains that has
been here to insert, immediately after the petition for those in the
Company’s service abroad, these words ‘More especially the Govr- and
Council of this place and since he constantly omitts that sentence,
and has given out by his brother that he don’t think them worth
praying for, the Governor says there is an old Proverb ‘ No penny
no paternoster/ so we say, no paternoster, no penny, and are very
well contented because we think the prayers of such a fellow can do
us but little good.” What effect the withholding of the parson’s
salary had is not recorded, but there is reason to think it only
hardened him in the pursuit of his refractory course, because soon
after he was “locked up and confined for persisting in reading the
collect, epistle, and gospel for the 1st Sunday in Advent after the
Governor call’d to him, in a very mild manner, saying ‘ Doctor, you
are wrong, this is the second Sunday in Advent.’ ”

Neither was the Company always successful in obtaining very
high-class men to rule their Island people, for, during the temporary
succession of Governors Poirier and Goodwin, a period of disorder,

HISTORICAL. 13

theii administrative weakness, occurred. The energy and
vigour of Captain John Roberts, who arrived in 1703, and Captain
h 01nes co'Operation, however, caused matters to assume a
-a uer state ; industry was encouraged, lime burnt, Munden’s
a e1} elected, sugar-canes planted, bricks and tiles made, with many
sue 1 undertakings, which gave employment to the islanders. The
succession of Captain Bouchier was unfortunate, for of him it is chiefly
recorced, that the Government gardens were laid waste and thrown
u ° pastuie lor his asses, of which he kept a numerous stud; and in
icei o indulge in his favourite exercise of riding them in all

ex i 1618 tj • ere°^ a ahed 400 feet in length at the Company’s
p nse. is eccentricities continued until the close of his govern-
’ aUC ^ that “ he stripped Government House of all that

0£ 01 a ^ when he left, even the locks and the keys from many

e ( ooi s, and everything else that might be serviceable to him
on his voyage home.”

At this period the population numbered 832, in about equal pro-

,1 ' lul',s Elites and blacks, and it went on steadily increasing at
tne rate of about forty-five or fifty each year.

Governor Pike’s speciality appears to have been agricultural
provement. He also constructed the first safe roadway from the
own to the country by way of Ladder Hill. His administration was,
iiowever, characterized by much severity, of which an anecdote is
o d that some soldiers, whom he had unjustly punished, escaped
iom the Island and his power in an open boat, and performed a
\°}age of near 4500 miles, eventually arriving at Nevis. He was
transferred to Bencoolen, but was, in 1731, reappointed Governor
of the Island, where he died seven years afterwards. On the
13th June, 1719, Mr. Edward Johnson assumed the government,
and died after four years’ administration. The Senior Member
of Conned, Mr. Edward Byfield, succeeded him for a short time
until Captain John Smith arrived from England, who is described
as a man capable of seeing others’ faults more than his own; and,
seekmg popularity as a moral reformer, like others of his class’
ell mto disfavour through his inconsistency, and by orders from the
tinie^11^ Wa& SUCCee(^ ky Mr. Byfield, as Governor for the second

g|. c^anSc that was coming over the Island, through the de-
UC 1011 the native vegetation, at this time attracted attention,

14

ST. HELENA.

and several plans for its preservation were adopted. Governor
Byfield himself did good service in taking care of two young Red-
wood plants, which he discovered, until they produced a considerable
quantity of seeds. Furze was abundantly planted to serve as fuel
and lessen the cutting of indigenous trees for that purpose ; all goats
and sheep were destroyed for a period of ten years, so that indigenous
plants shot up spontaneously in great numbers, and, it is said, many
parts of the Island, where no trees had grown for many years, became
covered with wood. It was not only in this that Governor Byfield
characterized his reign ; he distinguished himself as a sound econo-
mist, unalloyed by meanness, and retired from office in 1731, when
Governor Pike’s second rule commenced, during which he showed
himself more arbitrary and severe than before. At his death Mr.
Goodwin, Senior Member of Council, succeeded to the Governor-
ship, but, as he only lived one year, an opportunity occurred for an
intriguing knave called Duke Crisp, who was second in the Council
Board, and therefore next to succeed to the office, to rob the Govern-
ment to the large extent of 6284/. Knowledge of his proceedings
having reached the Company, Mr. Robert Jenkins, commanding one
of their ships, was sent out to investigate the matter. It was on the
voyage out that his ship was boarded by Spaniards, who insulted
and tortured him by tearing off one of his ears, which, it is said,
upon his return to England, he exhibited before the House of Com-
mons, and being asked by a member what he thought and did when
they mangled him, made that memorable reply, “ I committed my
soul to God and my cause to my country.”* Duke Crisp was, how-
ever, soon dismissed with disgrace, not only from the office of acting
Governor, but also from the Company’s service, Mr. Robert Jenkins
taking his place at the head of affairs until the new Governor, Major
Thomas Lambert, arrived on the 22nd March, 1741. He died a few
months after, and, for a short time, until the arrival of Colonel
Dunbar on the 11th March, 1743, an opportunity occurred for the
Senior Member of Council, Mr. George Powell, who, as a matter of
rule, succeeded to the acting premiership, to exhibit his unprincipled
character. Governor Dunbar has left a memorial of his reign to the
present day in the avenue of Peepul trees which he planted in James-
town. After three years he was succeeded by Mr. Charles Hutchin-

* Brooke's History of St, Helena.

HISTORICAL.

15

son, who, amongst other improvements, introduced Scotch firs, oak,
and cypress trees, and reformed the mode of conducting trials. After
eighteen years of a useful public career, he retired on an annuity of
300/. a year, which the Court of Directors were pleased to award
him in consideration of his valuable services. It was during his
government that, in the year 1761, the Island was selected as a spot
the observance of a transit of Venus on the 6tli June, and Dr.
^faskelyne and Mr. Waddington visited it for that purpose. It is
said that their observations were unsuccessful. They took up their
position on the high land, at or near to Halley’s Mount, and during
occurrence the mountain, as it frequently is now, was enveloped
m cl°uds. The lower land is at all times much better suited for
astronomical observations, because the atmosphere of the higher
legion is constantly more or less charged with moisture. Governor
v°ttoe, who followed next in order, turned his attention to the pre-
seivation of the native woods, and, amongst other works, caused the
iiatei from Chubb’s Spring to be conveyed to the town by means of
a eaden pipe instead of open drains ; and also the erection of St.

anies s Church and the infantry barracks. After eighteen years he
16Slgned the government to Mr. Daniel Corneille, who, in con-
sequence of new regulations being put in force, which deprived the
tiers of their meeting-houses and free use of spirits, had, in the
year 1783, very soon after his assuming the government, to suppress
mutiny which occurred in the garrison, and which his leniency
lansed to assume larger proportions than it would have done had he
^ e more decidedly at the commencement. On Christmas Eve the
k insubordination commenced to show itself ; three days after-

sf s men, in a drunken state, became riotous, and, under a
rgeant Tooley, assembled with their arms in a body of 200, with
j'^nteiltion of taking possession of Ladder Hill Fort. It happened,
never, that while they were on their way, the Governor, with the
from^ i^°Vern0r, Ma-'|0r ^r8erne» was iGurning by Ladder Hill road
theT 10 C°lmtry’ an(i’ looking down into the valley below, observed
arms rn°vemcnfs ’ h® accordingly directed Major Graeme to procure
on th W ile proceeded to meet and reason with them. This act
but f]6 ^le i-fovernor had for a time its effect on the men,

a°-ai ^ ^ame<i fkeir desire, and the punch or drinking-liouses were
soon1 opened to them. The evil effects of this success were very
ei apparent, and the Governor became aware of the mistake

16

ST. HELENA.

he had made, through the disorderly and riotous conduct of the
soldiers which followed ; accordingly he changed his policy towards
them, and having secured Sergeant Tooley as a prisoner, he proceeded
with the men of the main guard to the barracks to confront the
mutineers, hut only to find, on arrival there, that the larger portion
of the garrison had betaken themselves to the high land with the
view of gaining possession of the Alarm House, a position which
commanded the town, and where there was a small guard with several
guns. Major Graeme, by the Governor’s directions, proceeded imme-
diately on horseback, by way of Side Path, to gain the Alarm House,
if possible before the mutineers, who had taken the route directly
up the steep, rugged hillside. At one part of Major Graeme’s perilous
ride— for he took the shortest way that a horse could possibly travel—
the mutineers were very close to, and fired several shots at him ;
but be succeeded in arriving at the Alarm House guard before them,
and, with the assistance of the six men on duty, fired several rounds
of grape shot from the field pieces stationed there at the mutineers
as they advanced. It was then dark, and they cunningly evaded the
discharge by throwing themselves flat on the ground at the time,
then surrounding Major Grseme, they pursued him for a considerable
distance, firing at him several times. He escaped back to James-
town late that night, but in the meantime the Governor had
despatched Major Bazette with a detachment of seventy men, who,
taking a circuitous route, approached the mutinous party in the
rear, but found they had fortified their position on all sides with the
Alarm House guns, and received him with a shower of grape shot.
Major Bazette’s party, however, made a dash at and secured the
gun from which it proceeded, scattering those who had worked it,
and, following up the attack with the aid of musketry, eventually
overcame the mutineers, many of whom, taking advantage of the
darkness, deserted their own, and joined the Governor’s side, while
others took refuge in the Alarm House. Two of Major Bazette’s
men were killed in this attack, while several of the mutineers were
wounded, and one hundred and three taken prisoners. These were
tried by court-martial, and, with the exception of four, all sentenced
to death ; eventually, however, nine only of the leaders were put to
death.

On the resignation of Mr. Corneille, Mr. (afterwards Colonel)
Robert Brooke was appointed Governor in 1787, and it was at this

HISTORICAL. 17

time that the trial of acclimatizing European troops for India, by a

s lort period of previous service at St. Helena, was found to be so

successful. The Island garrison was augmented to a battalion of

anti y and a strong corps of Artillery, while many other changes

improvements were also etfected during the governorship of

US energetic man, including the establishment of telegraphs, the

a°mpanCe wadcr from Plantation House to Ladder Hill Port,

jl S° rom near Diana’s Peak to Longwood, and the construction of the

o wer wharf and crane at Jamestown. He also laid the foundation

rec ,le P,esent Government House. It was in the year 1795, on

tha^1Vm? ’n^ebigence of the Dutch joining in the war with England,

Com a''V1^1 ^ ass^s^ance °f H.M.S. Sceptre and several of the

D , ,,aip s dl'Ps> he captured and made prizes of eight richly -laden

1 as^ ludiamen, while calling at St. Plelena on their way

a port’ ° ^lU'°Pe' Dor this act, as well as his energetic despatch of

n.j F 10n the St. Plelena garrison, consisting of near 400 men,

. ^leces °t ordnance with ammunition, ten thousand pounds in

ea,C!e> and a quantity of provisions, to assist the then small

In T? ^10 ^'at>e Cood Hope, he was deservedly commended.

Lieut ."o lth he retired from the Government in the year 1800,

arr-U. l ° °De^ Dobson acting in his stead for a few months until the

j Governor Colonel Patton in March, 1802, to whom is

uue the mprif -p •

with - L °* lrnProvmo the watercourses by puddling them
also1 tl miXtUle Dnre, gravel, and clay, which he called puzzolana;
western .COUstruction of batteries, one of which, situated on the
yea. i'oa-06 damestown, to this day bears his name. In the
arn tbe garrison of St. Helena afforded a reinforcement,

BueirVt" men, to General Beresford’s expedition against

this f * "US 1U America. Much annoyance seems, just at

“ !.nie’ to liavc occurred to all in the Island through the rapid
said^.b”^ blackberry pluut, which had been introduced, it is
the bcsfU fi'e'and4wenty years previously. It quickly overspread
cons’ P.' - ,ba^ure binds, and, though never entirely extirpated, a

serious *'a ^ G C^°r^ 'Vas rnade a^ that time to do so. A much more
^ause b°r alarm than brambles, however, occurred a few
and T ens ards> when, in the year 1807, measles was introduced,
thre a °S^’ ^le wbole population being at once attacked therewith,
clisea? 6 b^ace b°r a time into the greatest state of disorder. This
a*e again appeared in the year 1843, and in a similar manner

c

18

ST. HELENA.

attacked almost everybody in the Island, on each occasion causing
considerable mortality. The price of labour was now increasing
rapidly, in consequence of a good deal of attention being diverted
from agricultural pursuits to trade, and, as at that time slavery
existed, the price of a good slave increased during a period of
twenty years from 40/. to 150/.

Lieut. -Colonel Lane succeeded Governor Patton, who left in
bad health for Europe in July, 1807, and acted through twelve
months, when, on the 4th July, 1808, he was succeeded by Major-
General Eeatson, a man of high intelligence and energetic habits,
who, during the five years he remained at St. Helena, certainly did
more than any Governor before him, and perhaps as much as any
since, to improve and develop the resources of the place. His first
act was to introduce men from England who were accustomed to
farming, and also about 650 Chinese from Canton ; these latter
proved themselves so useful as mechanics and gardeners that much
of their handiwork and patience may even to the present day be
traced in the cut and carved lava stone which adorns some of the
best buildings. It is much to be regretted that such industrious
men have quite disappeared. A year or two ago the last remaining
Chinaman died at a good old age, and besides what is mentioned
above, the only records of their time exist in the Chinese cemetery,
at a spot called New Ground, and an extremely picturesque little
Jos house at Black Square; but both of these are fast falling into decay.

The chief object with Governor Beatson for introducing addi-
tional labour being to lower the price of Island-grown produce, he
very soon had the satisfaction of seeing his efforts successful, and
many articles of food, [including potatoes, were in consequence reduced
in price. With a view further to encourage the cultivation of
land, he was the means of putting a stop to the practice, which
had long existed, of provisions being sold from the Company’s
stores at less than cost price. In many ways he encouraged cultiva-
tion ; he introduced many new plants, and tried numerous experi-
ments in growing corn, roots, and vegetables — indeed, so identified
himself with this subject that the results of his many trials are to
this day quoted in evidence of the capabilities of the soil of the
Island.* Of course when experiments are tried under entirely

* Most of Governor Beatson’s experiments have been recorded in a volume called “ Beat-
son's Tracts,” but it is now out of print.

HISTORICAL.

19

favourable circumstances, such as it is quite possible to secure when
dealing with small quantities, the results have to be received with
caution; nevertheless. Governor Beatson demonstrated clearly that,
with sufficient care, both soil and climate are capable of producing
most uncommon results. The native or indigenous plants also
attracted his attention, and, in order to preserve them if possible
from destruction, he caused all the goats then running wild or
uncared for to be destroyed, compensation being allowed to the
owners. There were so many of these creatures at that time and
they were so destructive to young plants, that it was almost impos-
si e o real any new forest-trees ; and when they were destroyed
the extension of plantations became very general.

hou&li so much of Governor Beatson’s attention was devoted
o agricultural and horticultural pursuits, his efforts in other
flannels for the good of the settlement were not the less successful.
ie evil effects of an excessive use of spirituous liquors amongst the
so ieis were very apparent, and he determined to check, if not
no y correct this vice. Having been the means of preventing
y urther importation of rum, he substituted for it, as rations to
c ® 80 .lerS) beer« wllich at that time was brewed in the Island, and
, P,1 'Vlne' Other measures also were taken to render this change

anb y f iLaVe the desired effect> but, as migbt almost have been
imputed, a spirit of dissatisfaction arose which threatened serious

nesrrTT aUd afforded au opportunity for a display of that firm-
Gptio, ccision of character, which, amongst other abilities,
genual Beatson possessed.

be for ^0tdeamg tetters having come into the hands of the Governor,
the °-V bUC,i Precauti°ns as seemed necessary for the occasion, and
Beaffin Cains^ances which then occurred will be best told in General
He w - V ™ 7°rds; contained in his report to the Court of Directors.

the aft° 6 1 i r iss"'n^ tliese orders 1 left the Castle, at four in
bvwl e™00n'> but> contrary to my usual custom of returning home
such a 1S T °d tUe Governor’s path, I thought it proper to show to
w r 11g |t be watchful, that the violent anonymous paper, the

the C^lT ^ 6 cburcb’ * a dinner and a bloody supper,' and that on
allu T i-' il0u8e i° i)e iel on Christmas-day’ the one

Casfl nf ? . 0 ^esttval dinner, and the other to my vacating the
m ^ jcing sent oh the Island, had produced no apprehensions in
I therefore desired my horses to be brought to the Castle

c 2

20

ST. HELENA.

gate, where I mounted, passed slowly in front of the main guard,
who were supposed to be concerned in the intended mutiny, and I
proceeded gently through the town, stopping occasionally, and con-
versing with several people I met. It seems that one of the most
forward in the mutiny (Berwick, who has since been hanged) passed
close to me. I did not observe him, but he w'as seen from a window,
after I had proceeded a few yards beyond him, to turn round, and, in
the most contemptuous manner, by his looks and the motions of his
clenched fist and arm, fully to expi’ess his desperate intentions.
This information did not reach me until after he was hanged.
About five o’clock in the evening I arrived at Plantation House. I
sent for Mr. Ford, the head overseer, to inquire regarding the charac-
ters and dispositions of the Artillery and Infantry stationed there as a
working party. He assured me they were all good men, and that I
might depend on them. Lieutenant David Pritchard, whom I had
selected to take charge of this guard, soon after arrived. I desired
him to inspect their arms, and to get the men immediately accoutred.
I had previously ordered supplies of musket and rifle ammunition to
be sent, which arrived before sunset.

“The men of the guard, consisting of thirty-two, were then
ordered into Plantation House, and, as Captain Benjamin Hodson
had been instructed to give a general alarm upon the first appearance
of commotion (which would soon bring the volunteers to my post), I
was certain, therefore, of being reinforced long before the mutineers
could reach me ; and, under these circumstances, I had no doubt as
to the issue, being firmly determined not to yield a single point, nor
to suffer my person to fall into their hands.

“ According to information I have since received, the mutiny was
not to have broken out until the morning of the 25th. It had been
settled by the mutineers that when the troops paraded for relieving
the guard, the whole of the regiment, joined by the main guard
on duty, after seizing their officers, should march to Plantation
House and seize me ; but, most providentially, the measures I had
adopted made a change in their plan ; and the ringleaders, seeing I
was preparing, considered that no time should be lost, and
therefore they commenced their operations within five hours
after I had left the Castle.”

The brains of the mutineers were not idle either, and, in-
stead of directing their attention at once to seizing the person

historical.

21

Of f.lie Governor, they thought to render their undertaking
more likely of success by proceeding at first in quite an
opposite direction, to gain possession of Colonel Broughton, the
Lieutenant-Governor, who resided at Long wood, and retain him as
a hostage. An incorrect rumour of their intention reached the
Lovernor, who continues his statement thus :

“ half-past seven o’clock I received a report that the mutinous
troops intended to proceed to Longwood, for the purpose of getting
possession of some field-pieces and ammunition. Upon hearing
tins, although I did not know how far it might be depended on I
sent an express to the Lieutenant-Governor, in which I suggested

. 6 advance of some held-pieces to oppose the mutineers if thev
should move in that direction.”

The mutineers, however, some 120 in number, arrived at
Longwood before the Lieutenant-Governor was fully prepared for
them, and, taking him by surprise, they compelled him to march with
them towards Plantation House, the Governor’s residence.

In the meantime the Governor had made his position strong with
what faithful soldiers he could command, augmented by the volun-
teers or Island militia (which had been called out by a general alarm)
amounting altogether to about 130 men.

Intelligence of the mutineers’ proceedings seems to have preceded
them in their march, and to have reached the Governor, for he
continues; “This information gave me at first some uneasiness,
on account of the danger to which my friend and colleague would be
exposed in the intended attack upon the mutinous troops ; but there
was no alternative, for however much I value the life of Colonel
Broughton, I could not permit considerations of a private nature
to interfere with my public duties, nor to deter me from carrying
into execution the plans I had formed, which were imperiously
necessary for restoring military subordination and the peace and
order of this settlement. 1

“Ai the same time I considered it proper to make an attempt to
rescue his person from the impending danger. I therefore wrote a
pencil note to Captain Sampson, directing him to advance with
thirty chosen men, and with these it was intended to form an
ambuscade on the left flank of the mutinous column, and to com-
mence the attack by giving them one fire in such a manner as to
avoid Colonel Broughton (who might be distinctly seen by the two

22

ST. HELENA.

lights which the mutineers had imprudently with them), and imme-
diately after to rush upon them with the bayonet.

“ I had just given these orders when Major Wright arrived, and
informed me that the mutineers had halted within fifty or sixty
yards of Major Kinnard’s post, and had sent forward to offer the
conditions on which they would surrender. The negotiations were
intentionally protracted until daylight on the 24th, which having
terminated in the unconditional surrender of the whole party, the
attempt to rescue Colonel Broughton became unnecessary.

“ The first proposals sent to me by the mutineers were, ‘ that
grievances must be redressed, and a promise given that the soldiers
should have regular issues of spirits from the stores to which I
sent word by Major Wright, ‘ that 1 would grant no terms ; 1 could
not treat with rebels, and that if they did not instantly surrender, I
would put every man to the sword.’

“Major Wright soon after returned, and told me the mutineers
hoped I would grant terms ; and it was suggested by some persons
around me that , the life of Colonel Broughton would be in great
danger if the attack were made. To this suggestion I replied, that
the mutineers having possession of the Lieutenant-Gfovernor would
be no security to themselves ; and I returned them a second
message, apprizing them of this resolution, and that I would
instantly order them to be fired upon, and the whole destroyed, if
they did not submit. Upon receiving this reply, they began to
waver, and they finally proposed to Majors Wright and Hodson
that all they would now ask was my promise of pardon ; but this I
positively refused, and at the same time informed them, if they did
not yield unconditionally, that Major Kinnard had now received
my orders to put the whole of them to death. It was now daylight,
and, seeing a superior force opposed to them, they at length
surrendered, saying they would trust to my mercy.

“ Of about two hundred men that sallied at night from James-
town, upon this mad and desperate enterprise, only seventy-five
remained together in the morning.”

The mutineers were then confined as prisoners at High Knoll,
where on the following day (Christmas-day) nine of them, being
ringleaders in the matter, were tried by court-martial and sentenced
to death. Within a very short time after their sentence six of these
were hung at High Knoll.

historical.

23

Tlie General Court-martial re-assembled again on the following
day, when three more received similar sentences, but it was deemed
sufficient to carry out one only, and that was done in the presence
ot the whole garrison assembled in Jamestown. Some of the
remainder were committed to prison, and, the spirit of insubordina-
tion having been crushed out, they were finally permitted to return
to their duty.*

A successful result of General Beatson’s measures for checkin^
the amount of drunkenness will be gathered from the following :—
“Ihe houses for retailing spirits were abolished on the 15th of
May, 1809. I lie garrison at that time consisted of about one
thousand hundred and fifty men, of whom one hundred and
thirty-two were sick in hospital. Four months after that abolition
the patients were reduced to forty-eiglit.”t

Governor Beatson’s energy and ardour as displayed in his war
against the goats was, however, less successful ; for, notwithstanding
us efforts to effect their total extermination, his measures were im-
perfectly carried out, so that in a few years they increased again in
numbers, and threatened to destroy not only the indigenous plants,
hut all other vegetation as well.

Of all the good that General Beatson proposed and did for the
Island, perhaps none has caused a more lasting tribute to his
memory than the measures he took for importing forest trees,
planting the Island, the preservation of the indigenous flora, and
his extensive and indefatigable experiments in agriculture, the
results of which he has left on record, in a periodical work called
The St. Helena Register,” as well as his “ Tracts on St. Helena.”
General Beatson retired from the Government at the expiration of
five years, but his successor, Colonel Mark Wilks, was a man of
larger mind than to fall into the common course of undoing what a
predecessor has done, and accordingly concurred in most of Governor
Beatson’s plans for the improvement of the place and its people.
He arrived at the Island on the 22nd June, 1813, and it was during
his reign that the most remarkable event occurred which ever
hefell St. Helena,

Governor Beatson, in thanking the loyal portion of the garrison, specially mentions the
Artillery as being free from this spirit of insubordination.

t Beatson’s Tracts on St. Helena.

24

ST. HELENA.

The British Government having determined on the undignified
proceeding of banishing the Emperor Napoleon Buonaparte to the
Island of St. Helena, he arrived there in H.M.S. Northumberland,
under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn, on the
15th October, 1815. He was accompanied by Marshal and Countess
Bertrand, Count and Countess Montliolon, General Gourgaud, Count
Las Cases with his son, and eight servants. The excitement caused
in the Island was naturally very great, and rendered more so by the
very unexpected nature of the event, the inhabitants having received
no intelligence on the subject until a few days previously, when, by
the arrival of H.M.S. Icarus, they were informed of the proximity
of Napoleon.

It was of course necessary for the Crown to appoint the officer
into whose custody Napoleon was to be entrusted, and accordingly
Lieut. -General Sir Hudson Lowe arrived at the Island on the 14th
April, 1816, in that capacity, and also relieved Colonel Wilks of
the Government. The Island was stiil to belong to the East India
Company, but as this appropriation of it would necessarily involve a
heavy expenditure, it was arranged that the Company should
bear the annual expenses of the place to the extent of the average
sum which had been spent in former years, and that the Crown
should bear the remainder.

The history of Napoleon’s life and captivity at St. Helena has
already, through differences of opinion, led to much discussion, and
filled several large-sized volumes. It is not, therefore, intended
here to enter further into the matter than to record the leading
events connected with his sojourn at the Island.

The merits and demerits of Sir Hudson Lowe have been fully set
forth, as well as Napoleon’s behaviour under such severely trying-
circumstances. lo a man ot his mind and character his trial must
have been of the most bitter kind, and if there had been any desire
on the part of his captors to ameliorate or soften the galling- circum-
stances which at every point surrounded him, there seems to have
been a failure certainly in the selection of the man to whom his
keeping was confided.

Until the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe, the custody of Napoleon
was in the hands of the Admiral who had taken him to the Island,
and with whom he appeared to be upon the most friendly terms!

HISTORICAL.

25

The. garrison sent to the Island at this time consisted of H.M. 66th
itegiment and the second battalion of H.M. 53rd llegiment.

It was two days after his arrival that Napoleon first set foot
upon his prison shores. He then walked to the house which had

„ PrePared for his reception. It is somewhat remark-

able that this house, which still stands at the entrance to the Castle
gardens, was that m which the Duke of Wellington also remained
lor one night, when, some time previously, lie had visited St
Helena on his return from India to Europe.

On the following day Napoleon, in company with Sir George
oc ' uin an ount Bertrand, visited Long wood, the spot which
ad been selected for his future residence; the house intended for
ns temporary abode being then occupied by the Lieut.-Governor.

ie road from Jamestown to Longwood passes by the Briars, a
p cturesquely situated residence, then occupied by a Mr. Balcombe.
Aapoleon was pleased with this spot, and wished to occupy, until

dek!rTl C°Uld ^ P1’epared for llira> a small, partially

detached budding now known as The Briars Pavilion. Here he

resided for nearly two months, and some account of his life at this
period has been written by a daughter of Mr. Balcombe*

rom The Briars Napoleon removed to Longwood, and there
occupied what is now known as the Old House. In 1819, the British
government commenced the erection of a large and commodious
• ence for lns reception, at an enormous cost ; but this pile of build-
ups, now known as Longwood New House, was scarcely finished
Delore the Emperor’s death. It is said that Napoleon used to watch

10 erectlon of these buildings, and was known to say that he would
never occupy them.

It was during Sir Hudson Lowe’s Government that water was
conveyed from the mountain near Diana’s Peak to Deadwood, and
om a stieam near Oak Bank to Erancis Plain, with a view to
affording a supply lor the troops then encamped at those places. He

was ST? \ i T1 ^ tll6i qUeSti°n °f Wishing slavery, and
as instrumental m bringing about the rule that all children born of

a siave woman from and after Christmas-day, 1818, should be con-
siuered tree.

C'lcT” N#i?ol“ “ <“■ Mi-

20

ST. HELENA.

The Island, fostered and cared for in every way by the East
India Company, had, at this time, risen to the very acme of its pros-
perity. The great increase in the circulation of money, caused by
the large garrison which came in with Napoleon, was soon felt by
the inhabitants to be to their advantage; but unfortunately this
cause of prosperity, like the lavish expenditure of the Company, only
tended to draw away the attention of the inhabitants from cultivating
the soil to more easy and ready, but less certain, methods of earning
a living. In the history of St. Helena it is much to be regretted
that artificial sources of trade have always led to a neglect of agri-
cultural industry, and as generation after generation grew up de-
pendent upon other sources, the inhabitants, not having been forced
to it, have never learnt the true value of the soil around, them.

Napoleon, very soon after his arrival, showed a disinclination to
he sociable ; doubtless he was aware, even at that time, of the pre-
sence of a disease, which, unsuspected by those around him, was so
silently but surely hastening a termination of his earthly career.
His illness, as it became serious, was of brief duration, and at about
six o’clock in the evening of the 5th May, 1821, he died at Long-
wood Old House.*

* “ The Post-Mortem, Examina tion of the First Napoleon s Body. — In the exhibition at
present open in the Mechanic’s Hall, Dumfries, there is shown by Major Young, of Lincluden,
a lock of hair cut from the head of the Great Napoleon after death, a letter in connexion with
which is of some historical value. Hitherto French writers have represented that the post-
mortem examination of Napoleon’s body was an unwarrantable liberty, taken in opposition to
the deceased’s wish. The letter was only discovered, along with the lock of hair, three years
ago, by Major Young, in a secret drawer of an old writing-desk belonging to his father, to
whom the epistle was written by Dr. Short, a native of Dumfries, who held the office of prin-
cipal medical officer of the British staff at St. Helena, and who superintended the dissection.
It is as follows : —

“ ‘ St. Helena, 7th May, 1821.

My iiTiAK Sir, — You will, no doubt, be much surprised to hear of Bonaparte’s death,
who expired on the 5th of May, after an illness of some standing. His disease was cancer in
the stomach, that must have lasted some years, and been in a state of ulceration some months.
I was in consultation and attendance several days, but he would not see strangers. I was
officially introduced the moment he died. His face in death was the most beautiful I ever
beheld, exhibiting softness and every good expression in the highest degree, and really seemed
formed to conquer. The following day I superintended the dissection of his body — (at this time
his countenance was much altered), — which was done at his own request, to ascertain the exact
scat of the disease (which he imagined to be where it was afterwards discovered to be), with the
view' of benefiting his son, who might inherit it. During the whole of his illness he never com-
plained, and kept his character to the last. The disease being hereditary, his father having
died of it, and his sister, the Princess Borghese, being supposed to have it, proves to the world
that climate and mode of life had no hand in it, and contrary to the assertions of Messrs.
O’Meara and Stokoe, his liver was perfectly sound; and had he been on the throne of France
instead of an inhabitant of St. Helena, he would equally have suffered, as no earthly power could
cure the disease when formed.’ ” — North British Advertiser, 2nd August, 1873.

HISTORICAL.

27

His heart was placed in spirit, and in his military uniform the
body lay in state on the two following days, the Star of the Legion
of Honour on the side, and a crucifix on his breast. The room was
draped in black, and there were in attendance Count and Countess
Bertrand, Count Montholon, the priest, physician, and servants.

“ Preparatory to the funeral, the body was put into a leaden
coffin, in the di-ess in which it had lain in state, including boots and
spurs. The leaden coffin was enclosed in two others, made of
mahogany ; the outer coffin had plain top and sides, ebony round
the edges, and silver head screws. Pursuant to military orders for
conducting the ceremony with the honours usually paid to the
remains of a General of the highest l’ank, the left side of the road
from Longwood gate, in a direction towards the burying place, was,
on the 9th May, lined with all the troops of the garrison ; the
Royal Artillery on the right of the whole, then the 20th Regiment,
the Royal Marines, the 06th Regiment, the St. Helena Artillery,
the St. Helena Regiment, and on the left the St. Helena Volunteers.
The body, in a car drawn by four horses, and the whole of the
funeral procession, passed along the front of the line of troops, the
band of each corps playing solemn music. When the procession
cleared the left of the line it was followed by the troops, until they
took up a position upon the road above the burying place ; and at
the moment the body was lowered into the grave three discharges
were fired from eleven pieces of artillery.”'"'

Thus, in a pretty little green verdure-clad valley, situated below
Hut’s Gate, and distant somewhat more than a mile from Longwood,
was Napoleon buried. It is said that, when alive, he frequently
resorted to this secluded spot, and, from a clear little spring of water
which bubbled up through the moss-covered bank, had the water for
his own use carried to Longwood, and that in accordance with his
own expressed wish it was selected for his grave.

Sir Hudson Lowe left the Island on the 25th July following,
Mr. Thomas Henry Brooke assuming the temporary government,
and the troops which had been sent to the Island in consequence of
Napoleon’s residence were at once removed. The Island, as a
watering station for East India traders, being of the utmost
importance at this time, the lower wharf in Jamestown was much

* Brooke’s History of St. Helena, 1824.

28

ST. HELENA .

enlarged, and additional accommodation provided for watering the
ships which called at the port.

The value of the Island for purposes of British commerce
with the East was now fully developed; indeed, without it that
great trade could not have been carried on with the success that
attended it, and Brigadier-General Walker, who arrived on the
11th March, was another of those highly distinguished Indian
officers who then sought the post of Governor. Under these circum-
stances, it is not remarkable that the withdrawal of the large
additional expenditure caused by Napoleon’s captivity was so little
felt by the inhabitants.

Governor Walker extended to St. Helena those philanthropic
measures which had characterized his service in the Bombay Presi-
dency, and he made great efforts to improve the religious as well as
the moral condition of the St. Helena slaves.

The institution of agricultural fairs, ploughing matches, and
other means of encouraging the inhabitants to rely more upon the
produce of the soil, were prominent amongst his many undertakings.
He laid the foundation of the Head School building in 1824, and, in
1827, commenced the building of the military offices on the main
parade in Jamestown.

His successor-, until whose arrival on the 29th of April, 1828,
Mr. T. H. Brooke again filled the post of Acting Governor, was
Brigadier-General Dallas, an officer of equally high standing, and in
his energy for the welfare of the Island even surpassing any of his
predecessors. Aided by an able executive he carried out many
public works of improvement, amongst which were — the construction
of the inclined plane or ladder from Jamestown to Ladder Hill,
commenced in August, 1828, and finished in December of the follow-
ing year ; the sinking of a well to the depth of eighty -three feet in
Bupert’s Valley, in the year 1830, with a view to obtaining water
and fertilizing that portion of the Island; and, in the following year,
the construction of the infantry barracks in the town, and the
establishment of fire plugs for service in case of fire.

It was during his government, in the year 1832, that the East
India Company abolished slavery in the Island, purchasing from then-
owners the freedom of the slaves, at that time in number 614, for a
sum of 2S,0G2/. 17;?., thus putting an end, amongst other abuses, to
such atrocious placards as the following : —

HISTORICAL.

29

“ At the same time will be let for five years, two women
servants, two girls, and a good fisherman.”*

“ Also will he sold at the said house, a slave boy aged
nine years, and a slave girl aged seven years, with a few
articles of furniture, &c.”f

The East India Company having reared this little settlement in
the lap of luxury through a period of 182 years, sparing nothing
that could add to its prosperity and advancement, as well as to the
comfort and enjoyment of its inhabitants, it is not to be wondered
at that the latter little understood the meaning of self-reliance. The
annual expenditure in the Island by the Company amounted to eighty
or ninety thousand pounds, and they maintained a garrison there of
three companies of artillery, called the St. Helena Artillery, a St.
Helena Kegiment of four companies, in all 700 strong, exclusive of
a corps of militia ; but ere long, a heavy blow fell upon this
flourishing, peaceful, and happy British Settlement — one from which
it has never recovered, and since which it has gradually descended
in the scale of prosperity.

It was in the year 1833, that the St. Helenians received the
almost crushing intelligence, that, by Act of Parliament dated
28th August of the same year, the Island was no longer to be ruled
by the Honourable East India Company after the 22nd April,
1834, but to be transferred to His Majesty’s Government. There was
little time allowed for reflection ; the garrison was dispersed, some
being pensioned, some taking office under the new Government ;
while the Civil Establishments were broken up, and many who had
been accustomed to affluence were reduced almost in a moment to
comparative poverty.! Gn the 24th February, 1836, Major-General
Middlemore arrived, and, with a garrison composed of H.M.’s
91st Begiment, took possession of the Island in the name of King
William the Fourth.

The East India Company’s Governor had received an income of
about 9000/. a year, while the Governor appointed by the Crown
was to receive about one-fourth of that amount. Plantation House,
his residence, a mansion with its undulating and well-wooded park.

* The Monthly Register, St. Helena, 1810. f Ibid.

J So hard did the Company’s treatment of their servants press upon many of them, that
twenty years after this event officers of high rank might be seen digging the soil side by side
with their own negro servant in the struggle to support their families.

30

ST. HELENA.

pretty enough to satisfy tlie tastes of any English gentleman with
an income of ten or fifteen thousand a year, was thus to be shorn of
much of its ancient glory ; and many other old, time-honoured
institutions suffered in a similar degree. The establishment, how-
ever, continued to be composed of a Governor and Council, a large
civil staff,* and a moderate garrison. As doubtless many of the
labouring classes also felt this change, a small amount of emigration
to the Cape of Good Hope toot place in 1S3S, the same year which
was rendered memorable in the annals of the Island by a short visit
from Prince William Henry Frederick, a grandson of William I.,
King of Holland.

In the year 1840, H.M. Government established a Vice-Ad-
miralty Court at the Island for the trial of vessels engaged
in the slave trade on the western coast of Africa. Many of these
vessels were taken to the Island during the following ten years,
condemned, sold, and broken up ; while their human cargoes were
fed, clothed, and retained at a depot formed for the purpose in
Rupert’s Valley, until they were sufficiently recovered from their
emaciated condition to bear a voyage to the British West Indian
possessions, where a demand existed for their labour. f A visit to a
full-freighted slaveship arriving at St. Helena is not easily to be
forgotten ; a scene so intensified in all that is horrible almost defies
description. The vessel, scarcely a hundred tons burthen at most,
contains perhaps little short of a thousand souls, which have been
closely packed, for many weeks together, in the hottest and most
polluted of atmospheres. I went on board one of these ships as
she cast anchor off Rupert’s Valley in 1861, and the whole deck, as
I picked my way from end to end, in order to avoid treading upon
them, was thickly strewn with the dead, dying, and starved bodies
of what seemed to me to be a species of ape which I had never seen
before. One’s sensations of horror were certainly lessened by the
impossibility of realizing that the miserable, helpless objects being
picked up from the deck and handed over the ship’s side, one by one,
living, dying, and dead alike, were really human beings. Their arms
and legs were worn down to about the size of a walking-stick. Many

# A Supreme Court was established also in 1839.
f When able, during the interval before embarkation, they were employed on the Public
Works in the Island.

HISTORICAL.

31

died as they passed from the ship to the boat, and, indeed, the work
of unloading had to be proceeded with so quickly that there was no
time to separate the dead from the living.

Not only did the establishment of the Liberated African Depot
at the Island afford a considerable amount of employment to the
people, hut it was also the cause of bringing to the place a large
expenditure of money. Her Majesty’s ships of war, composing the
British squadron then cruising on the West Coast of Africa for the
suppression of the slave trade, made it their head-quarters for
recruiting health, and through this means thousands of pounds were
annually circulated. This source of profit did not, however, last for
many years, and while the Islanders were rejoicing in it, they were
unaware of the disadvantages ultimately arising from it ; viz., the
introduction of a new race of people, which, after some few years,
developed into a poverty-stricken, dependent portion of the popula-
tion.

After some years the squadron was reduced, the Liberated
African Establishment abolished, and, in 1874, excepting an occa-
sional visit from a British gunboat, which appears more by accident
than by any other means to get to St. Helena, the place, once so gay
with naval men and ships, now knows them no more. But the
negroes, which could have been best spared, still remain.

There was yet another, and even still greater, evil which arose
out of this Liberated African depot, and that was the introduction of
the termites or white ants, which were taken into the Island in some
logs of wood from one of the slave ships, and, creating much havoc in
the houses and property of Jamestown, ruined many of its inhabi-
tants. The St. Helenians naturally feel the strong claim they have
upon Great Britain, their Island home having aided so much in
building up her commercial greatness and prosperity ; but apart from
this they very reasonably expect aid from England, because it was
through her successful efforts to suppress the slave trade on the West
Coast of Africa that both the aforementioned causes have added so
greatly to the impoverishment of the place.

It was on the 8th of October, in this same year, viz., 1840, that
the French frigate, La Belle Poule, accompanied by the corvette
Favourite, with his Royal Highness the Prince de Joinville and suite,
arrived at the Island for the purpose of removing Napoleon’s remains
to France. The body was exhumed on the 15th, taken from the

32

ST. HELENA.

peaceful little “ Vale of the Tomb,” and, amidst military funeral
honours, placed on board of the frigate, which sailed three days
afterwards for France.

An establishment was formed at Longwood, under the direction
of General Sir Edward Sabine, during this same year, for the purpose
of meteorological observations, and a magnetic observatory erected
there. The observations were conducted for a period of five years,
by officers and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Artillery,
selected for the purpose, and were then published.

In the year 1842, Governor Middlemore was succeeded by Colonel
Hamelin Trelawney, and in the same year the Island was garrisoned
by an European regiment of five companies, raised expressly
for the purpose and styled the St. Helena Regiment, instead of,
as hitherto, by a regiment of the line. The garrison at this time
consisted of a battery of Artillery in addition to the St. Helena
Regiment.

During the following year, St. James’ Church was extensively
repaired and a new steeple and spire erected.

On the death of Colonel Trelawney on the 3rd May, 1846,
Colonel George Brodie Fraser, R. A., the senior officer commanding the
troops, succeeded by virtue of his official position to the Govern-
ment; but on the arrival of Colonel John Ross to assume
command of the St. Helena Regiment a few months afterwards, he,
being senior in the army to Colonel Fraser, took the post of Acting
Governor until Major-General Sir Patrick Ross, the newly-appointed
Governor, arrived at the Island in November, 1846.

The erection of a fine Hospital, with every requisite for medical
and surgical treatment, took place in the year 1847. It being
intended, by the imposition of a small fee upon all ships anchoring
in the roadstead, that their masters and crews should receive the
benefits of the institution free of any further charge. Many a sea-
faring man, and many ships’ crews, stricken down by scurvy or other
diseases, have reason to be grateful to this valuable institution
which, open to all nations, lay directly on the high road of their
voyage home.

Sir Patrick Ross took a general interest in the welfare of the
place, especially in the promotion of the agricultural and horticul-
tural exhibitions, and it was during his government that the new
church of St. Paul was erected in place of “ the old country church,”

HISTORICAL.

33

and a new road made from The Briars over Cat Hole to Francis
Plain, the labour employed thereon being chiefly that of prisoners
and liberated Africans. On his death, in August,. 1S50, Lieut.-
Colonel Clark, the officer commanding the Royal Artillery, acted as
Governor for a few months, until the arrival of Colonel (now Sir)
Thomas Gore Browne, C.B., in July, 1851. Governor Gore Browne
remained only three years and a half, when he was promoted to the
Governorship of New Zealand. His chief object at St. Helena was
to make some changes in the civil establishments, so as to reduce
the annual grant made by the Government for their support. This
was of course a disadvantage t© the place ; still Colonel Gore Browne
merely carried out his instructions. Amongst the special objects of
his attention may be mentioned a scheme tor establishing a -village
or settlement at Rupert’s Yalley, to relieve the overcrowded state ot
Jamestown, and, with a view to furthering this end, he caused a new
jail, a sort of model prison, designed by Colonel Jebb, and sent ou
from England,* to be erected there, and also conveyed water to the
valley by means of iron pipes leading from The Briars over Luper s
Hill. The departure of Governor Gore Browne with Ins family was a
matter of much regret to the inhabitants, for they had won respec
and esteem on all sides. The senior military officer, Colonel \ igors
acted as Governor until the arrival of Sir Edward Hay Drummon

Hay, Kt., on the 10th October, 1856. .

Hitherto the Church of England had reigned supreme m the
Island, it having been included in the See of Cape own, ai
subject to periodical visits from that Bishop , but as ie
was represented on the spot only by a colonial chaplain and a garrison
chaplain, a very inadequate number of clergymen Dissent, which
was introduced by a Scotch Baptist Minister about the year 1847,
soon spread, and became a popular sectarian distinction amongst

the native population. tqco

The first Bishop of St. Helena was appointed in the year 18bU,

his diocese including the neighbouring island of Ascension, the
British residents at Rio, and other similar places situated on ie
coast of South America. With most characteristic energy and
ability, Bishop Piers Claugliton mapped out the Island into seveia

* This building, being chiefly constructed of timber was burnt to the ground m less
than an hour by a military prisoner confined therein, in t e j ear • ^

34 ST. HELENA.

parishes, pressed forward the work of church building until each
parish had its church, and, appointing a clergyman to each, he was
just upon the point of visiting the wealthy settlements on the Bra-
zilian coast, and Europe as well, to raise funds for the permanent
establishment and endowment of this compact little church fabric,
when, unfortunately for the Island and its people, his translation to
the See of Colombo took place. His strong inlluence for good over
the minds of others did much to raise the moral tone of St. Helena
society, and, though his residence was a short one, no departure was
ever more grieved over than that of Bishop Claugliton and his
family. .

Sir Edward Hay Drummond Hay devoted much attention to
public works, and carried out some schemes which had been pro-
jected by his predecessor, Colonel Gore Browne, amongst which may
be mentioned the settlement in Rupert’s Valley, and the main drainage
works of Jamestown. Improved dwellings for the poor were erected
in one of the worst localities in the town ; new custom houses
were built, and the supply of water for the ships increased by
additional lines of pipes. His attention was also given to the
improvement of the local corps of militia. In 1857, the church of
St. John in Jamestown was commenced, and, in 1861, that of
St. Matthew at Hut’s Gate was built ; but of all the events which
occurred during Governor Drummond Hay’s time, the most im-
portant by far, was a visit to the Island, in September, 1860, by
His Royal Highness Prince Alfred (now Duke of Edinburgh), who
was an officer serving in the Royal Navy at the time, on board of
ILM.S. Enryalus. As might be expected, the first visit from a Royal
Prince of England threw the whole place into a flutter of excitement.
Triumphal arches, garlands, and floral decorations of all kinds lined
the streets and wharves, in such a way as perhaps had never been seen
before. Everything was ready, everything was perfect. As minutes
passed away, and as the time named for the ship’s arrival approached,
the very height of expectation was attained, but no proud and
gallant ship made its appearance that day, nor yet the next, and
great was the grief of the Islanders at the prospect of the Prince
arriving only to seethe faded remnants of their loyal demonstrations.
After a few days’ suspense, however, the good ship with the Prince
did arrive, and gave the people of St. Helena an opportunity of
pouring out their pent-up feelings in a right hearty loyal welcome.

MATTHEW'S CHURCH. LONGWOGp

HISTORICAL.

35

His visit was but a brief one; be honoured tbe Governor by
dining at Plantation House, attended a ball at tbe Castle, and sailed
again on the evening of the same day that he arrived.

Admiral Sir Ckailes Elliot, Iv.C.B., relieved Governor Drum-
mond Hay on the 3rd July, 1863, and administered the Government
for seven years, during the whole of which time his kind, courteous,
and gentle manners won for him the highest esteem and respect
from all classes. He was, perhaps, one of the most energetic
Governors that ever ruled at St. Helena, and in every °way
endeavoured to promote the advancement of the place; though
struggling against great difficulties, viz., a diminishing revenue, he
achieved many highly successful results.

Almost his first act was to declare war against the termites or
white ants, and he reconstructed nearly the whole of the public
buildings in J amestown, which they had destroyed, in a substantial
manner, with stone, iron, and teakwood. For the first time, a direct
monthly mail communication from England by steamers was esta-
blished. He largely augmented the water-works of the town, both
for supplying ships and for a supply in case of fires. But no
Governor, since General Beatson, has done so much to encourage
the introduction of new and valuable plants. Amongst others, he
imported a large number of Mexican pines, which have taken
well to the climate and the soil at Plantation, and the quantities
of Norfolk Island pines and Bermuda cedars which Sir Charles
reared and distributed throughout the Island, give promise of a
lasting memorial to his name. It was at this time that Dr. Hooker,
the Director of the Itoyal Gardens at Kew, judging from his
acquaintance with the soil and climate of St. Helena, advised the
Government to undertake the culture of the Cinchona plant on the
mountainous parts of the Island. Sir Charles Elliot most readily
supported and assisted the scheme. A skilled gardener was sent
out from Kew, and a plantation of Cinchona soon sprang up in
the neighbourhood of Diana’s Peak, promising the greatest success
and a source of much profit ; but, most unfortunately, Sir Charles
Elliot’s successor being unable to see the advantage of such an
undertaking, the plantation was neglected and ultimately aban-
doned.

Sir Charles Elliot was succeeded in the government by Admiral
Patey, in the year 1870, who took out to the Island in his pocket the

d 2

36

ST. HELENA.

pruning knife of retrenchment. It is true that the Civil Establish-
ment was very much larger than need be, but to reduce it without
injuring its efficiency required much care and judgment, and after
he had spent a year or two in endeavours to lessen the expenditure,
the Home Government considerably reduced the salary, and appointed
the then Colonial Secretary, Hudson Ealph Janisch, Esq., to succeed
him as Governor of the Island.

Twenty years ago St. Helena was left, so far as communication
with Europe was concerned, quite outside of civilization ; five months
at a time elapsed without its inhabitants hearing a word of home
news, or even seeing a newspaper ; but now the great strides of
oceanic steam navigation have brought it, as well as other places, so
to speak, nearer to England, and by mail packet from Southampton
it may .be reached in from seventeen to twenty-one days. The first
week of the voyage is occupied in reaching Madeira, by which time
the sea-sick voyagers, about whose sufferings so many accounts have
been written, have sufficiently recovered to enjoy the enchanting
break afforded by a few hours ashore in that lovely island. The
next few days are occupied in steaming down amongst the beautiful
islands of the Canarian Archipelago, with, generally, a fair view of
the renowned Peak of Teneriffe towering high above the clouds. A
sight of Cape Verde, on the coast of Africa ; and a day or two, by
way of change, of that intolerable damp, steamy, hot atmosphere so
inseparably associated with equatorial regions ; and then a week or
ten days amongst the fresh South-east trade winds, the deep blue
seas of the South Atlantic, with bright sunny skies, and St. Helena
is reached ; the voyager looking back with pleasure to what has been
in reality nothing more than an agreeable yachting trip, instead
of the much-dreaded long sea voyage. The arrival of the
English mail, the greatest event of the month, was formerly an-
nounced with a great display of bunting and firing of guns, but, the
spirit of economy having extended to that remote spot, much of this
has passed away. Even the long familiar boom of the morning and
evening gun has ceased to gladden the ears of the people by reminding
them that theirs is a garrison town ; and the most striking announce-
ment of important arrivals is the reverberating shouts and screams
of “ St-e-e-e-e-a-mer ! M-a-n-o-o-w-a-r !” which the street boys and
the whole out-door population send forth on the occasion. The dark,
barren cliffs of the Island, rising from six to seven hundred feet

L

l

*

JAMES CHURCH, JAMESTOWN,

HISTORICAL. 37

perpendicularly from the sea, when viewed from the roadstead where
the mail packet anchors, seem to frown fiercely at the new arrival
and, without any doubt, are most forbidding. The little town appears
oddly enough placed m a deep-cut ravine in this mighty wall of rock
No verdure, a few Peepul trees excepted, meets the eye to relieve
the tedious monotony of dust-coloured rocks and dust-coloured
houses. Nevertheless, there is something that strikes the beholder
as picturesque in what lies before him. On either side of the town
the hills bristle with cannon ; on the left is Munden’s Battery ■ on
•the right is Ladder Hill, the chief fortress of the place, where a
small garrison, consisting of a company of Artillery and one of
Engineers, is quartered, and where waves the British Union Jack,
so dwindled down in size through the spirit of economy as to call
from visitors the universal inquiry, “ What flag is that?” To the
left of Munden’s is Rupert’s Valley, where a recently formed village
appears, and where stands the deserted establishment for the recep-
tion ol Africans rescued from slavery by British cruisers on the West
Coast of Africa. On landing, the stranger is beset by a whole rabble
of dirty boys, each eager to get possession of his order to find him a
horse or carriage to visit Napoleon’s tomb, to conduct him to an
hotel, or in some way to make something out of him. Horses there
are plenty of, and even carriages can be found for a trip to the tomb
and back at the moderate charge of two or three pounds ! But hotel
accommodation is wretched, unless a new one has been established
and has not had time to fall into the degraded “wine and beer shop”
condition of its predecessors. Fair board and lodging can, however
be obtained privately either in the town or country at the moderate
rate of 0-s\ daily for each person. The town is entered by a fine open
quadrangle or parade, around which stand the church, court-house
castle, and other Government buildings. A long and wide street
stretches up the valley, with houses on each side, amongst which are
the foreign Consulates, private dwellings of no ordinary pretensions
and shops. The latter supply almost every class of European goods at
about 30 to 75 per cent, higher than English prices, but the shops
themselves have a dusty, neglected, and uninviting look, as though the
articles exposed in the windows had been there since the days of Noah
The arrival of a mail steamer or man-of-war throws the whole place
from the Governor downwards, into a state of excitement; but still
there remains something of the every-day look of dejection about it

38

ST. HELENA.

The officers’ guard-house is converted into a Customs baggage ware-
house, while the sentry boxes are playthings for ragged little black
boys ; and the large barracks are left, almost empty, to fall a prey to
the white ants. Upon the whole the town is strikingly better in
appearance than would be expected. The streets are good, and so are
the houses, but there are no gas or other lamps to rival the brilliant
light of the moon and stars. With its immediate neighbourhood it
numbers about 290 houses, which, a few years ago, were valued at
120,000/., including two churches, a chapel, two hospitals, a market-
hall, and at least six schools. There are three gardens, two of which
are public, and the other, well known to visitors as “The Maldivia Fruit
Gardens,” is situated at the head of the town and valley in which it
lies, and where grow the only mango trees in the Island. The
population of the town is somewhat more than one-half that of the
whole Island, or about 3500 persons. The most striking erection in
the place is “ The Ladder,” the ascent of which is much more
fatiguing than at first sight appears. Some visitors accomplish it,
and even descend it again, but only to pay the penalty next day of
being scarcely able to move their limbs.

Three roads lead from the town to the high land, or country, as
it is generally called ; one follows up the direction of the ravine,
and, passing Francis Plain cricket-ground, about two miles
distant from the town, leads to Oak Bank, one of the prettiest
country residences, and the central part of the Island generally; but
the road is exceedingly steep and unfit for riding or driving, and the
same spots are better, though not so quickly, reached by the other
roads which zigzag up the face of the hills on either side of the
town. That on the east, called “ Side Path,” passes close to The
Briars, where Napoleon Bonaparte lived for a time previous to his
residence at Longwood, and winds round the valley of “ The
Tomb, through the village of Hut’s Gate to Longwood, distant
about four and three-quarters miles from the starting-point. Head-
wood and Longwood together form a large open plain, nearly
2000 feet above the sea, now scarcely wooded at all, but attractive
through the lovely and picturesque mountain scenery of its neigh-
bourhood. Deadwood is the spot usually selected for fairs, races,
and such like amusements, and Longwood constitutes the largest
farm in the island. After the death of Napoleon on the 5th May,
1 821, the house he occupied, as well as that newly-erected for him,

HISTORICAL.

39

with Marshal Bertrand’s house, were all considered as part of Long-
wood farm, and the former, used as hams and cattle-yards, fell into
a state of ruin until the year 1858, when it, with the site of The
Tomb, was purchased by the Emperor Napoleon the Third, with a
view of restoring the last residence of his illustrious uncle, and
o-uardino- from further desecration that spot in the little green
valley so lonely and so distant, yet so sacred to the hearts of all
true Frenchmen. Three officers, with a party of Engineers, were
sent out from France to carry out these restorations, upon which a
large sum of money was expended ; and ever since, the “ Old House”
at Longwood, and the “Valley of the Tomb/’ have been under
the immediate charge of a non-commissioned officer residing at each,
and an officer who rents and occupies a portion of the “New
House.” Very great care was exercised, in rebuilding the “ Old
House,” to restore it as near as possible to its state when occupied
by the Emperor, and as much of the old materials as could be
used were again employed. A great difficulty, however, appeared
towards the completion — not a scrap or vestige of the original wall-
papers remained, and no clue as to their design or colour could be
obtained ; when a remarkable instance occurred of the highly ob-
jectionable habit of Englishmen carrying away relics, being turned
to useful account. Aware of the difficulty experienced by the
engineer in this respect, X mentioned it in conversation in pre-
sence of an officer who had just arrived at the Island, on his
way home from India. This officer had visited Longwood thirty
years previously, and carefully preserved a scrap ol paper from the
wall of each room ; he kindly placed these specimens at the disposal
of the French officer, who sent them to Paris, where new papers,
exactly resembling the original, were manufactured and sent out to
St. Helena. Thus restored, unfurnished, but with a beautifully-
executed white marble bust of the Emperor placed on the spot
where he breathed his last, now stands “ Longwood Old House.”
The tomb, where his body rested from the 8th of May, 1821,

until the 15th of October, 1S40, when it was removed to a hand-
some sarcophagus in the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, to lie, in
accordance with his expressed wish, on the banks of the Seine, is,
too-etber with the little spring of clear water which bubbles from
the rock carefully railed round and guarded, so that no ruthless
hand now as formerly, hacks and chops away the remains of two

40

ST. HELENA.

old willow trees which still hang over the tomb itself. These
trees, though descended from, are not the original willows ; and it
is commonly rumoured that more than one or two generations have
been carried away piecemeal by visitors as relics.

There are fifty miles of road throughout the Island, and well laid
out, considering the very steep nature of the country. They have,
moreover, been kept, until recently, in good repair ; and tbe ride or
drive along the mountain -tops, from Longvvood across Sandy Bay-
ridge, and by Government House to Ladder Hill and Jamestown,
is, for beauty of scenery, scarcely to be surpassed. The shady
lanes, lined on each side with bright yellow blossoms of gorse,
brilliant scarlet geraniums, and the deeper tints of the fuchsia
mixing with the blue-green foliage and orange-coloured blossoms of
the buddlea, and the pale-green leaves of the young oak trees, are
very charming, and not less so when these suddenly give place to a
rich meadow or sunny hayfield. The intricate nature of the roads,
winding in and out of numerous valleys and ravines, sometimes
making it necessai'y to travel more than a mile to reach a spot but a
few hundred yards distant, conveys an impression of greater size
than that which the place really possesses, and several days, at
least, are necessary to obtain even a general idea of the Island. The
most picturesque and English-like lane is that leading from the
Cathedral to the westward of the Island, and is well worthy of a
visit from the passing stranger.

The Island was until lately divided into three parishes, respec-
tively called Jamestown, St. Paul, and Longwood. Each had its
church, and the former the district church of St. John in addition.
The Baptists have erected three chapels. There are at least fifteen
schools in the Island, and about one-seventh of the whole population
attend them.

There are eight or nine institutions, some of them very excellent,
but all are suffering severely from the poverty which now prevails
throughout the community. Amongst the principal may be men-
tioned the Library, established in 1813, and supported by subscrip-
tions ; it contains many interesting old books, but few modern
publications, the Benevolent Society, founded in 1S14, for educa-
tional purposes and acts of benevolence, is one of the most valuable
institutions oi the place ; it supports three schools entirely, and
gives such aid to others as the funds, which are dependent upon

41

HISTORICAL.

a.

donations and subscriptions, will allow Tim tt ^

“T in m, for tJ education ^ ^ tu
endowed and capable of carrying on extensive work. The' ifrS!
Benefit bociety, instituted in the same year is f ! f

subscriptions, and affords pecuniary relief to Africans inP° * °\ ^
and provides them with means for decent interment The M t ^
and Friendly Benefit Society, founded in 18^8 V Mectauics
subscriptions is a most excellent society, numbering

expenses of deceased member iC Po^'t™"* t0“rds funeral
1844, has almost similar nT i i ! / Society, established in

Society, eomLr„eedt m J ' ^ memberS' The Social

different regulations • and 'theVl™' A “A0 last t"'°' 1,ut un,Jer

distributes aid to the’ cler J cateeMste tTt' 1“ “ lM8>
funds collected by subs,. ri,? ? ’ d SenPture waders, from
for the PropagaL of ^

^ of Miai^u frc'of

Helena is not behind the msfoTthe ’ ^P1’10 comm“"ic'*fio>', St.

?«vs£
now .™

inland from the’ sea exrenP T *“*?

the coast, few plants' am to be® “ they intersect

the inter or, aemfs The u £ ’ "K‘ * «*. ^ncing towards

, tneie is a belt of semi-barren land, princimlbr nn

W1 wire grass, cactus, and other shrubs with a few trc« I ^

the interior, an area of 8284 acres, covered with the richest w 7*

to the very mountain tops; About 6100 acres are privato r f’l'I

property , the remainder belongs to the Crown , • 1 freellold

« on .ease, 1 050 acres ; *“ =

used for Government purposes, 250 acres, and ^
acres. A large part of this last is barren but a c V iT’ 1 S’7°°
of it is suitable for sheep pasture ■ the ’-i ^ considerable portion
^ growing oats, barley, p^atocs!

with Sreat success. Wheat has subsequent^ h! * a C1'°PS
answer, as the ear mildews in consemS^^ « T* ^ to
present in the atmosphere I fef>l 1 , f the moisture always

atmosphere. I feel assured, however, that the blights

42

ST. HELENA.

now complained of (excepting the potato blight and rot, which are
both common diseases in the Island), together with the poor crops
obtained, and the general barrenness of the fruit trees, will not be
remedied so long as the existing system, by which all the vitality
of the Island is drained away, remains unchecked. The whole of the
manure, which accumulates from stables, stockyards, &c., in the
town, is thrown into the sea, instead of being conveyed up the hills,
and returned to the land. By this long-continued -practice the
lands have become almost exhausted. Moreover, a large quantity
of guano, collected around the coast, is exported to Europe, instead
of being used in the Island, and it is much to be regretted that the
Government permit it, merely for the sake of swelling the revenue
by a paltry charge of 10s. per ton exportation fee. With such a
system continually at work, is it surprising that the farmer obtains
but a poor crop, and fruit trees blight and dwindle away ? rather is
it a matter of astonishment that he obtains any return at all. Forty-
two years ago General Dallas, then Governor of the Island, was fully
alive to this most ruinous system, and, with a view of supplying some
practical means for lessening the cost of conveying the manure from
the town up the hills, and back to the lands in the country, caused the
erection of the ladder or inclined plane. This engineering work,
carried out under the directions of Lieutenant G. W. Melliss, an
artillery officer, comprised a ladder 900 feet in length, with upwards
of 600 steps, communicating up the side of the hill from James-
town to Ladder Hill, at an angle of 39° or 40°, with a tramway
on either side, upon which waggons, in connexion with ropes and
machinery at the top, travelled up and down. By this means
manure was conveyed up an almost perpendicular height of 600
feet and deposited, from whence it could easily be conveyed by
the farmers. A secondary use of this “ St, Helena Railroad " was
to convey stores from the town to the garrison stationed in the
Fort of Ladder Hill, and, as it would be most invaluable for both
these purposes in the present day, it is very greatly to be regretted
that the whole construction has fallen into disuse and bad repair,
the woodwork being eaten by white ants. Indeed, it is said that
these insects visited Ladder Hill through the medium of its
longitudinal wooden sleepers.

An excellent stimulus to farming interests has also been allowed
to die out with “ The Agricultural and Horticultural Society,” which.

43

HISTORICAL.

Wy years ago held its bi-annual vegetable, fruit, flower, and
cattle shows, awarding prizes for the finest specimens.

There are in the country 260 distinct properties, with about 200
louses, valued at 66,000/. It naturally strikes a stranger as remark-
able that, with so much available laud-and good land too, fertile soil
which is produced by decomposed basaltic rocks is well known to be
amongst the very best-the number of cattle and sheep should be so
small m proportion, and still more so that these are, to a large extent
imported from the Cape of Good Hope. Also that no aSides foi

s.r ia abraneei

ported, and while any amount of yams could be easily grown as
was done formerly under the East India Company’s GovemmmT

t 111 ported 1 from

their lrni’hk1 /J /arnierS even seem barelJ able to exist upon
passed ifto^ThT /^Pert1^ Whi°h’ in manT instances, have
place, and the r<Tu •’ ° “°St “0ne?ed mercantile firms of the

aoricnlti i- 't “ a mon°po]y) with complete stagnation of
I ° a ' al mterests- There are a comparatively large number of
handsome country villa residences, with 80 or 100 acres of land
attached, well suited for gentlemen’s seats, but many of them are
mv vacant so far as the house is concerned, while the land is but
f cultivated. The finest property in the Island is the Governor’s
official residence, called “Plantation House,” a well-built, moderate
d mansion> containing forty rooms, standing in the midst of 170
acres of p.turesque park land, crowded with oaks, Norfolk pine*
ch Ins, and other handsome trees from temperate as well as
tropical chines. It was erected in 1791, is distant nearly three Ld
a half miles from the town, at an elevation above the sea of 179^
feet, and is worthy of a visitor’s attention, who will do well 1
ever, to totally disbelieve the guide boys’ anecdote when they’poTnt
out a huge cave in the rock on the side of the lawn t-/ *
where Sir Hudson Lowe confined Napoleon in f 8 pIafe

watch him from his front door steps ' " **““ te “«ht

Nothing can be more deplorable than the state of the Island at

tt p;c , time- , Th: *r -“■* at *• »»rt’ *■» cw tdea :

ernnin f T y day- FormerIJ. Who almost all vessels

g from the East were compelled to make some intermediate

u

ST. HELENA.

port for fresh provisions, &c., they called at St. Helena, finding it
safer and more accessible than the Cape of Good Hope, and a thou-
sand ships a year was the average number that cast anchor in the
roadstead. But they now make swifter passages, they are better
manned, better provisioned, and can easily make a voyage from the
East to Europe without the delay of an intermediate stoppage.
It is these causes, more than the opening of the Suez Canal route,
that lessen the number of ships calling at St. Helena and reduced it
in the year 1870 to 677. This, of course, chiefly tends to lessen
the prosperity of the place, but the disbanding of the St. Helena
Regiment, and, after it had been replaced for several years by
detachments of Line regiments from the Cape of Good Hope,
the entire withdrawal of that portion of the garrison, aided very
considerably in reducing the local revenue from 21,000/. to about
14,000/. per annum.

The view taken of St. Helena by the Home Government has, I
think, altogether been a mistake. It has been looked upon as a colony,
and, under the management of the Colonial Office, made self-supporting.
It has, however, no claim to the former, and endeavours to make it
the latter must end in failure. The place is really a fortification,
and, as the key to the whole South Atlantic, is one of England s
greatest fortresses, and as such ought to be under the control of
either the Admiralty or the War Department.

The Government maintains there now only a small garrison,
consisting of a battery of Artillery and a company of Royal
Engineers, and it spends annually about 1000/. upon military works,
so that the fortifications are in ruins and neglected, and what new
batteries have been undertaken remain in an unfinished state, while
the modern guns sent out from England lie here and there
unmounted and half buried in rock and debris. ''

An artillery officer told me a few years ago, that if he was
required to man the batteries in the Island he would be able to
place but one man to each gun ; and the defences altogether wear
such a dilapidated appearance that foreign naval and military

* It must not be understood that the officers stationed at St. Helena are responsible for
this state of things. Governors, as well as able engineer officers, including, ol late years.
Colonel Stace.E.E., and General Freeth, E.E., have repeatedly urged upon the Home Govern-
ment the importance of maintaining the Island in an efficiently fortified state.

45

HISTORICAL.

visitors to the place are struck with astonishment. Of course the
idea of the Government in allowing these things so to be, is that of
economy, but it rs highly questionable economy, and there can be
httle doubt that Koffee Kalkalli, King of Ash^tee, again t Thom
England lately went forth to war, has, to some extent, taken his
measure of British greatness from the ruined and deserted batteries

of St He ena, and the apparent inability of England to place and
maintain them m proper order.* 1 uu

only k^owfedg^of Engtf"dahaS been hT'^"* tWrty years at St- Helena, whose
bility to spend more than a few thousand nound^ there’ a’ld her aPParent ina-

tkein native country, Africa, and doubtless tin

PART II.— GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

The map of the Island shows it to he a most irregular-shaped piece
of land, with an extreme length from East to West of ten and a
quarter miles, an extreme width from North to South of eight and
a quarter miles, and having several small islets dotted here and
there around its jagged coast. A high central ridge, varying in
altitude from: two thousand to nearly three thousand feet, com-
mences on the south-eastern side of the Island, and, taking a
semicircular course towards the south-western side, separates the
Island into two portions ; that portion to the south of the ridge
takes the form of a huge bowl with its edge partly broken away,
now known as Sandy Bay; whde that on the East, North, and W est,
slopes gradually away, at angles varying from 8° to 10°, towards the
sea, terminating at the coast line in perpendicular cliffs from 450
to 2000 feet in height. This great wall of rock, which, on ap-
proaching the Island from all but a southerly direction, seems to
defy an entrance, is intersected by a number of deep and narrow
gorges running at right angles from the coast line towards the
central ridge, where they lessen considerably in depth and width.
The only town is situated in one of these gorges on the north side
of the Island ; it being one of the largest, may, probably, in some
measure, account for its selection as a site for the fiist settlement.
In size they vary considerably, and in some places lie close together,
separated only by a narrow ridge several feet in width, while in
others they are more than a mile apart.

The soundings, which are of much value in computing the
original line of coast, are quoted from a chart by Mr. George Thoms,
of II.M.S. Northumberland, under the command of Bear-Admiral Sir
George Cockburn, in the year IS 1 5 ; they show that the sea bottom
slopes gradually to depths of 60 or 70 fathoms at a distance
of about a mile and a half from the present coast, but immediately
beyond that there appears to be no bottom recorded at a depth of,
in some places, as much as 250 fathoms. It will be quite necessary

250

250, no bottom

F '

PEAKED

SPEEKY ROCK

53, sand

160, no bottom

46 , rock

GEOLOGICAL MAP

OF

THE ISLAND OF

Saint Helena

BT

JOHN CHARLES M ELLISS

1869.

LADDER HILL OBSERVATORY.

Lab. I5".55:26.'S.

Long. 5’42'.30'.'W.

160, 1,0

30

60

A^NOENS

saH*80
" <

I30.no bottom

120, no bottorr*

*80,no bottom

30 .no bottom

REFERENCES .

® Centre of Great Crater .

X Lateral* Volcanic Cone .

Dikes.

Line of Upheaval/.

- — > Direction < of flow of Lara .

- b .> Denotes that the angle of indiiiaiioTv

of the Strata is 5?

— Denotes that the angle of inclination ,
is from.' Z” to 3°.

Hie figures denote , Elevation above
Sea- leveL in feet , and depth, below
Seay level' in fathoms .

< > Denotes horizontal stratification.

/, Site of extinct Solfatara >.
a. Ochre beds and coloured Marls .

I60.no bottom

54

250, no bottom

London, .

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

47

to obtain some further information relative to this very remark-
able submarine ledge, which appears to surround the Island,
before entertaining the theory of a general subsidence of the
land, or indeed any theory with reference to the cause of its exis-
tence.*

The geological structure of this remarkable land has often been
curtly described in the few words, “ it is volcanic,” and the explana-
tion as often considered sufficient, inasmuch as the truth of such an
assertion cannot be doubted, even by the most casual observer. This
rocky pile, however, so often briefly dismissed as troublesome to
inquire into, presents not a few points, in searching out truth, well
worthy of the student’s attention. The manner of its formation,
together with the time occupied therein, and the period that has
since elapsed in bringing it to its present shape and dimensions, are
each subjects affording unusual interest in reading that page of
nature’s book which throws light upon the ancient geography of the
Southern Atlantic region.

Its isolated position, its peculiar fauna, and its very remark-
able insular flora, together with its geological character, present
strong reasons for placing St. Helena amongst the oldest land
now existing on the face of the globe. It represents a very fair
type of an oceanic volcano similar to Palma of the Canaries, St.
Paul’s Island, in the Indian Ocean, and others, of which Sir Charles.
Lyell makes the following remarks : — “ Every crater must almost
invariably have one side much lower than all the others, viz., that
side towards which the prevailing winds never blow, and to which,
therefore, showers of dust and scoriae are rarely carried during erup-
tions. There will also be one point on this windward or lowest side
more depressed than all the rest, by which in the event of a partial
submergence the sea may enter as often as the tide rises, or as often
as the wind blows from that quarter. For the same reason that a sea
continues to keep open a single entrance into the lagoon of an atoll
or annular coral reef, it will not allow this passage into the crater to
be stopped up, but will scour it out at low tide, or as often as the wind
changes.”f There is, in the Island of St. Helena, precisely such a

* I hope that this subject may be investigated during the present cruise of H.M.S.
Challenger , as Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys has most kindly promised to bring it before the notice of
Professor Wyville Thomson.

t Manual of Geology, by Sir Charles Lyell, M.A., F.R.S., 1855, p. 513.

48

ST. HELENA.

crater, as is thus described, of enormous dimensions, forming that
side of the Island called Sandy Bay. The southern edge of this
crater, being that exposed to an ever prevailing south-easterly trade
wind, is broken away below the level of the sea, and the crater itself
which measures four miles across, thus exceeding in size the
remarkable La Caldera of the Island of Palma, is covered by the
sea to the extent of about two-fifths of its full size. The remaining
three-fifths stand above the sea, resembling the larger part of a
broken bowl, its edge rising to an elevation varying from 2000 to
2697 feet, and forming the central ridge or backbone of the Island
known as “Sandy Bay Ridge.” On this ridge are situated the
highest mountain peaks in the Island, viz., Dianas Peak 269/, and
High Peak 2635 feet above the sea level. The ridge itself, for
about five or six miles along its central portion, is tolerably
horizontal, but slopes at its eastern and western extremities towards
the sea, meeting it at its terminations in steep precipices. On its
south side the fall into the crater is very nearly perpendicular for
some six or seven hundred feet down, where, amongst the
vegetable soil and indigenous plants now clothing the upper portion,
are still easily traced thick lava strata running in a horizontal
direction around the side of the bowl, assuming here and there the
appearance of gigantic steps, and dipping northwards at an angle of
about 6° to 8°.

This ridge, or crater edge as we shall now call it, is covered with
a layer of rich vegetable soil, under which can be traced felspathic
lavas in all stages of decomposition. First comes, as seen above
Swampy Gut, the damp red, yellow, or bluish white clay ; a little
deeper the semi-decomposed lava ; and finally, at a depth where the
influence of atmospheric moisture has failed to penetrate, we find the
compact hard lava in its natural cool state. Many lumps of these
decomposing lavas have become detached and slid away down into the
crater ; above Sandy Bay School large masses of basalt are to be
seen embedded in the soil, which have evidently rolled down from
some lava strata, now itself quite passed away into surface soil.
Amongst the grass below Rose Cottage also may be seen cropping up
large masses of basalt, which have there found resting-places in their
descent, while many more, some of a deep reddish tint, lodge in the
neighbourhood of Bay House and Cole’s Rock. Some of them are
huge in size and angular in shape, while they vary in composition

Geological Section throuJ

FROM NORJH TO SOUTH AND TP> «

/ From, Muni*1* ,<

* c/

JOHN cl0f

i i Vegetable soil/ .

i 1 Fdspathic lavas .

) i Basaltic lavas alternating with beds of let (rite, orvolaxnic mwlbakedred ,
and volcanic agglomerate of 'small stones , ashes , and cinders .

Enlarged Section through North Coast

( MUNDENS POINT AND PART OF RUPERTS HILL

rHE Island of Saint Helena

1SELY ACROSS THE GREAT CRATER .

:s Meluss .

Section through East Coast

( EETWE*N HOLD FAST TOM is HORSE POINT.)

geology and mineralogy.

49

for the most part to'bel co!i^ ?o f' s p7 1 ' tCl ‘d f !' !°dg6 appears
stone, variously coloured marls and basaltic P ,!°ldal nodules of grey-
which have flowed bach to s^ntX the 2^^ ^
soil scarcely exceeds eighteen to twenty (m„ • • th° SUrfaC0

The edge of the crater &at an Z Z

Cole’s Eock, where massive perpendicular faceTof'ba7 &t

showing little sign of inclination or stratification ev \ 1 °CCUr’
point where a dip of twentv de°rpes fn i ’ e cePtlna at one

;“w:iXrt i:; -? 01 laTa

clothes the central r>n +* most part indigenous plants, now

and^L^n^l^;. tf * t* ^ “

by b™n

“rous p,a“ts wC

mfl™nce"ojdem°fUl'i P“PM. and the civilising

8 Presence, exhibited in houses, vineyards fruit

add ^ pel M It ^ "f el'ed *" ar0Un<1 “* SideS- ** ‘o

fiery cauldron Tl ' T IT "°W WOm ^ th“ “ seething,
is by a very steel 'l ^T"* ‘“T U* edf ' for » considerable depth,
brtni 1 / t p windin&r carnage road, from which bridle natbc.

heavy ^-ains and^m T* ^ ““d out of the ravines which
Of tlm bowl 1 This dp' SUf C! Wn ’ T* de6ply Cut into tIie sides

the nerves of t 7 ^ ’ althouSh ra^er trying to

of those who visit it for the first time, well ren;,« ii

ncei a mg. The scenery, though on a small scale is trulv oT 7

Labourers cottages, with neat little gardens scattered / & Z

here amidst bright green grassy slopfs and wtelds d"6 “4

the'roTl"''117 I°laim ‘° Picturesclue““s 1 while almost eicry turn' in
the road reveals a pretty rural English-like dwelling, snugly placed

verdant foWe h * ' “f * gl'°VeS °f trees’ wI,ose ^ight

and the S, Wift the ^ Men-clad recks

the ™ter „ ? Tk“ m y W ‘‘UtS °f the more distant sides of

ater, occasioned by the presence in the soil of manganese and

" in composition. The most striking view of the° crater is

50

ST. HELENA.

obtained from the somewhat perilous summit of the mass of rock
called Lot, where the spectator, elevated nearly 1500 feet, on a pin-
nacle almost in the very centre of the huge bowl, obtains an unin-
tercepted view of the whole. The ascent of Lot is a tedious climb,
but well repays the labour bestowed upon it.

At the foot of the almost perpendicular fall from the crater’s
edge, the ground begins to slope more gradually, but very irre-
gularly, down towards the sea. The formation, as we proceed
towards the floor of the crater, becomes unstratified and confused,
and is intersected by numerous dikes, vai'ying in thickness from a
couple of inches to a hundred feet or more. As the centre of the
crater near Sandy Bay Beach is approached, these dikes increase in
number, sometimes lying closely side by side, even also crossing
each other at right angles, and varying in composition just as much
as in their outward form and colour. They soon appear numberless,
and are so complete that scarcely a fault or displacement of the
adjacent ground can be traced ; they have much the appearance of
brick or stone walls running up and down and across the crater
sides in all directions, even extending out to sea like so many well
built landing-piers. Of some of the largest of these dikes, three or
four are very remarkable features in the structure of the Island,
striking, as they do, in parallel lines from the north-east to the
south-west right across the crater ; and, when viewed from its
edge, much resembling the trail of some great serpent or monster
which had wended its way across it. Some of them testify strongly
to the amount of disintegration and denudation that has, through
long ages, been in progress on the surface of the Island. One
especially of them, which may be traced for four miles or more,
being formed of a fine hard crystalline felspathic greystone, much
harder than the surrounding rocks, has worn away much less
rapidly than the adjacent ground, and left huge monolithic columnar
remains of itself at intervals throughout its length. One of these
great piles of rock has just been mentioned as bearing the name of
Lot. It stands almost in the middle of the now remaining portion
of the crater, at an elevation of 1444 feet above the sea, having a
base 100 feet in thickness, and an altitude of 290 feet. A second,
called Lot’s Wife, stands about a mile and a half further to the
south-west, elevated 1550 feet above the sea, with an altitude of
560 feet, its upper portion being considerably larger than the base

T&n cent Brooks kith.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

51

upon which it stands. A mile further on, in the same direction,
stands a third of these columnar remains, called the Ass’s Ears ; and
still farther on for about another mile, rising as an islet from the
sea, detached from the main land, is seen Speery Eock, the last
visible portion of this great dike.

There is no difficulty in tracing the relationship of these rocks
as portions of the same great dike, because in character and com-
position they agree exactly, while the rocks which enclose them are
of a very different construction, consisting for the most part of
unstratified blue basaltic, hard- red, and other marls, containing
embedded crystals of augite, and traversed in all directions by
numerous very small dikes. These features are so intimately
associated with the great crater of Sandy Bay that it is difficult to
omit noticing them in connexion therewith ; but, in tracing out the
geological structure of the Island in due order, their introduction at
this point is somewhat out of place, as will be understood when it is
remembered that they were certainly formed after, perhaps long
aftei, the great volcano had ceased to be active ; and as yet we have
not seen what became of the products cast outside of the crater-
vvalls during its activity.

With the intention, then, of returning to this subject in con-
nexion with the denudation and probable age of the Island, let us take
a yiew of what surrounds the great crater edge, or Sandy Bay Eidge,
°n its northern, eastern, and western sides — in other words, the
great masses of lavas, ashes, and mud, which, ejected from the crater,
have built up the remaining portions of the Island.

We find no trace whatever of granite or any other primitive or
Plutonic rocks, or indeed any formation to encourage the slightest
suspicion of a continental land having ever occupied that particular
latitude and longitude where St. Helena now stands. Continental
land may at some extremely remote period have occupied the same
place, but, be this as it may, there can be little doubt that, previous
to the appearance of St. Helena, the broad expansive South Atlantic
swept over the site it occupies ; and the first sign of disturbance
there was probably a bubbling and spouting up of the water on a
vast scale, just at or near to the spot now called Sandy Bay Beach.
Then followed a stream of molten lava, shot up from the depths of
the ocean, and, guided by the south-east wind, falling into it again
more on one side than the other, laid the foundations of that pile,

e 2

52

ST. HELENA.

which, in the course of future events, became the prison of one of
Europe’s greatest monarchs.

Repeated outpourings of lava would in time raise the crater-edge
above the surface of the water, and the flow of lava inclining from
it would eventually bring up the land to the same elevation. At an
early period the crater would doubtless have its edge intact, and would
necessarily contain water, which, during the interval between
volcanic action, would mis with bits of broken rock, debris, and
dust rolling down into it from the disintegration of its sides, and
produce volcanic mud. A renewal of volcanic activity would first
of all discharge from the crater this mud, accompanied with steam
and water ; the rubble, or small fragments of rock, which, being
heaviest, would sink to the bottom, would next be shot forth, and
finally the molten lava would follow, thrown up high into the air
amidst smoke, dust, and heavy clouds, just as in the present day we
witness it at Vesuvius ; sometimes so high that detached fragments
of lava, rendered spherical by their passage through the air, would
descend in the form of bombs weighing half a ton or more. The
lava would, for the most part, however, descend in huge sheets of
liquid matter. A period of quiescence, or rest from volcanic dis-
charge, extending over a century or two," would then intervene,
when another similar outpour would follow : first mud, then
rubble, followed by the pure lava, and this would, with in-
tervals of rest, be repeated through hundreds of centuries until
the edge of the great crater was built up to thousands of feet in
height, with the land on its outer sides, excepting that towards
which the prevailing wind blows, sloping outwards at such angles
as the flow of lava naturally takes, probably 5° or 7°. Now this is
precisely what we find on examining that part of St. Helena
which is outside of the crater-walls. The whole of this portion of the
Island is thus built up of numerous layers of mud, rubble, and lava ;
occasionally the former two are missing in the regular order, and
beds of lava overlie beds of lava, but such is the exception ; and
although it is difficult now, in consequence of disintegration and
surface-soil overlying them, to trace the distinct strata, it is easy to
count, on the northern face of the Island, at least forty or fifty

# C. Piazzi Smith states, with reference to Teneriffe, that volcanic outbursts occur once in
a century.

Plate 14.

VOLCANIC BOMBS. ROAD SIDE, SWAMPY GUT . p. 52.

L. Reeve & C? Lankan.

GEOLOGY AYE MINERALOGY. 63

layers of lava, besides eleven of volcanic mud ■ wliile at Horse
Pasture, on the same coast section, seventy layers of the former and
six of the latter, are plainly distinguishable.

These layers or strata vary considerably in composition and very
greatly in thickness, so that their examination next claims our atten-
tion. The volcanic mud or laterite beds arc in colour generally of a
yellowish brown passing into red, and where the non-intervention of
rubble happens their bright red edges show plainly the effect pro-
duced by immediate contact with the burning hot lava. They vary
from eight or nine inches to several feet in thickness, and, where the
mud has fallen into irregular hollows or bowls in the surface of the
lava, they attain a greater thickness, exhibiting also quite a sedi-
mentary form of deposit. In many places this mud is to be seen
burnt as hard as a brick, while in others it is little harder than
cheese ; some extremely thick massive beds of it exist at the Red
Quarry, Eock Cottage, &c., passing into the form of a vitrified
scoriaceous kind of slag, in which state it is a good deal used for
building purposes ; being easily dressed for faced work, many of the
principal buildings in Jamestown are constructed of it; when
protected by a thin coating of plaster or cement it is found to be
durable enough for such uses. Traces of small roots of plants occur
in some of these beds of laterite. I have noticed them especially near
Pierie’s Revenge, but they are probably recent, and no fossiliferous
remains are found in them beyond embedded fragments of volcanic
rock, scoriae, and pumice, similar to those which make up the beds
°f rubble. Some of these mud or ochre beds, as they are called,
exhibit the most brilliant red, yellow, and purple tints, which at
first sight are suggestive of fitness for colouring pigments ; but no
Use being made of them in this respect, their real value seems to
exist in forming indicatory records of subsequent disturbance, or
otherwise, in the general strata.

The rubble or agglomerate beds of small fragments of stones,
asbes, and cinders, which generally immediately overlie the mud
strata, range from two to three feet in thickness ; the stones of which
t,ley are made up are about two or three inches in size, in appear-
ance much worn and slightly rounded, and somewhat adhering
together. The face of the hill between Jamestown and Ladder Hill
affords a good opportunity for inspecting these rubble beds. Gfene-
la% the lava has flowed over them without disturbing them much,

54

ST. EE LENA.

but in some places it has, in its sluggish course, pushed the rubble
before it until a great heap has accumulated, when either it has
broken through the mass and continued its course underneath, or
poured over it in order to resume its way on the other side. An
instance of this is to be seen to the south of Ladder Hill signal station,
where an immense accumulation of rubble has been forced forward
by the huge stream of lava overlying Pierie’s Eevenge. In some of
the earliest, as well as the latest of these beds, there exist cylindrical
holes, which are now quite empty, but close examination removes
almost any doubt as to their once having been filled by stems of
trees. It is most improbable that trees grew upon any part of the
Island at that period when the rubble beds were being formed, and
whether the stems embedded in them grew on some near adjacent land,
or were floated from some distant country across the sea and through
the agency of currents into the crater, cannot now be determined ;
but the latter theory seems very probable because in the present day
seeds of plants which grow eastward of the Cape of Good Hope aie
conveyed and cast up by the sea on to Sandy Bay Beach, the l eiy
centre of the crater. Had these stems been enveloped in the laia,
they would have been quickly burnt ; this may have occurred with
some of them of which no trace now remains, but it seems most
probable that they would be cast out ot the ciatei with the
.rubble before the ejection ol lava commenced; and we thus find
them in these beds. The heated rubble would suffice to burn
the wood, converting it into carbon, which in conjunction with
steam and other gases would easily cause its disappearance in the
form of carbonic acid gas, &c., so that, while the rubble would have
sufficiently hardened to retain a cast of the external shape of the
stem, no trace of the tree itself would remain. Possibly, remains of
the wood maj yet be found in some newlv-opened cast. I have
only seen those which have been long ago cut through in making
roads, when perhaps if they contained anything it was never noticed.
Although no remains of the original wood were to be seen in those
which I examined, there was no difficulty in tracing, on the side of
the casts, an imprint of the coarsely imbricated form of the stem,
showing it to have borne the characteristics of a palm or large
tree fern.

A very complete cast of this kind, which measures nine inches
in diameter and forty-two inches in length, occurs in one of the

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY 55

earliest rubble beds, and may be seen on «

Shy Path,” opposite to the storehouse ^2d
town. Another occurs in a bed of . ah forma in James-

dred feet or more higher up on the ^ le^e.^ /or“ati°n, six hun-
observatory on Ladder Hill. And 83010 ^ Slde’ Just behind the
others, in a more or less perfect * ** W“a

Ihe lava beds which follow on the rubble and r ,
stated, at least sixty or seventy nmv he , V !° 'vhlch> as alt’eady
more in composition than either tl ^ couutecb vary so much

time and space need £ Z a V ted Z Z ' ^ *?U* **
layers of lava which are seen above f! <:xaraiQaW The first

eastern, and western coasts * ■ line along tbe northern

Tom and Horse Point, Ire' ^ bctween Holdfast’

compact basalt, containing very few^vities^h ' °f * ^ denSe
from a foot or two to ten n,. t “ ? I t S 5 the->r vary m thickness
few, some of them in these 1 f Ibet.^ Although the cavities are

teresting relic of the 1L'86 i°We!i ^asa^tic strata contain a most in-

-a watfr, wMelf h , 7 7™ ^ bci“« «1M with

cally seal d up in hemg T 7 f 7^ has be“

at the blasting t “' 7 ? 7™ Kr *“ T** ** wWk *««ng

the western hillside r I ] lC WOrks’ in a quarry on
ately Jamestown daring the operation’ imnfedi- .

eur/onndL/ote oT 7 77 r°Ck °°k ^ appeared

split open bv fi * ^ u w® P™~shaped cavities which had been
Ion- inmriso7 ?S the blast. Ihe water thus released from its
but°bv 1 Tent WaS. not sufficient to admit of its being collected
tolerablv appllCatl0n of tlie ton2ue> its nauseous flavour afforded
those ro, gi°°d GVldenCe °f lts rea% being sea water. Little were
were revelri^VT °f the extremely interesting fact they

of years before Id"' rZl* ^ had existence th™s™d»

J nei 01 e, and which had been so carefully preserved h,r , +

throngh all that time from any change. 3 P ty “ature

After several layers of this hard basaltic character i„ , i • ,

SXdtt °tLfelnT Ir<1°m,i"atB- at “ ^Mejto

et, the nature of the lava chan-es • and a cm„ia i,

blue btaltdifferiDt 00m*K«i?i?“ intervenes, vis ’ a very heavy dal-
and 7 • ’ mUC1 m°re au2ltic m character than the lower basalts

crystais °f ^ “a

somet™ b ?' 7 ayers are a«ain ai™ple basalt, only chan^d
eometimes by strata of a more felspathic nature, suci as greyslne

56

ST. HELENA.

and plionolite. This order of succession is repeated several times,
the occurrence of the layers of heavy blue basalt, with em-
bedded crystals as before mentioned, being at altitudes of 200,
300, and 400 feet above the sea line, until the whole Island is built
up to the crater’s edge.* While some of the lava beds are very
compact, others are more or less scoriaceous and cellular,! their elon-
gated almond-shaped cavities clearly indicating the direction of their
flow. In addition to this evidence, and that of the angles of incli-
nation, that the strata have scarcely been disturbed from their
original positions, when flowing from Sandy Bay northward, we also
find the embedded crystals of augite, one of the most brittle of
minerals, to exist in a perfect state only around the neighbourhood
of Sandy Bay. All the embedded augite, on the northern side of
the Island, has been broken into small irregular fragments, evi-
dently by attrition while flowing to so great a distance. Scarcely is a
complete crystal of this mineral to be found beyond the walls of the
crater, while inside the crater itself, as at Lot and other places, the
most perfect crystals exist in large numbers.

It is somewhat remarkable that, excepting the beds of hard
basalt containing embedded crystals, the lavas show a gradual ten-
dency to a more felspathic composition as they approach the highest
part of the Island ; the most recent being also the most felspathic.
Lavas of such a character are more readily acted on by atmospheric
influences, and, being more easily reduced by disintegration into
alluvial soil, seem to indicate a thoughtful care on the part of the
Great Creator, in thus facilitating the process for forming a surface
soil to this rocky land. Still more strikingly is this illustrated by
the fact that all the uppermost layers of lava which once existed, and
have now through disintegration entirely worn away from the high
central parts of the Island, had felspar for their chief constituent.

* These Basaltic layers are seen cropping out on Munden’s Point and Hill ; they appear
also at the following places : above Chubb’s Spring House, immediately over the bridge and
little waterfall at the foot of Barnes’ Road, about half way up Barnes’ Road, at Francis Plain
and along the watercourse road, and also at Southerns, where a thick flow on the roadside is
most probably the same as that seen at Francis Plain ; ,l The Rock ” in Plantation grounds,
as well as a stratum at Arnos Vale entrance iron gates, show the same composition; while im-
mediately over Cat Hole there occurs a layer of greystone with only a few small widely
scattered crystals of olivine. It is not these but the pure basaltic lavas which generally follow
on the beds of laterite.

t Towards the lower part of Barnes’ Road a layer of very cellular lava, with cavities about
the size of peas lined with very minute zeolitic crystals, occurs.

geology AND MINERALOGY.

57

Having thus noticed the building- on nP t 1 n ,
edge of the crater, and turning our°attenti h®ls!iand to the Present
horizontal, beds of lava, highly felspatlnc in ft ^ * ‘°Se thl?k’ alm0st
appear on the eastern side of the Island lm’ composition, which

Horse Point, we cannot resist comity to the To at
Island was at one time very much c°nclusion that the

altitude not far disuh’'1 ' < br0ad thiok Iayera at a lower
eastern coast, tao™ ^hT’p -T 1*he pr°™“tOTy » the
the last remnants Tf ? T Polnt' fu“1 Holdfast Tom, we see

recent of all and once” oreystone lavas, which were the most

this volcanic pile bit " ^ ' ™'Ti **« wl|ole mountain top of

exists. Portion ' of wf left it as it now

remain, in ‘Zbl e T,u ““ ” ten « “-her, still

down to the sea It Ho, P w *0® ^ wh“» they reached

the remainder of the r, t 'n

crvs+oir pi 16 COasd‘ rhey are composed of a very finely
marl nrol ^Y^oue lava, separated by beds of white

+ ’ P i i’Ced t U’°Ugh the decomposition of the lava itself and

traversed by veins of pyrolnsite or black oxide of m“an“

OJ incline seawards at an angle of one to two degrees” The
greater the altitude at which this lava exists, the more his it pa™,

“‘tlwh°iltWllinhl0lay*0r TUlraS exemPllfying the facility
Wluch /t would, by atmospheric action be removed from the

hrg est parts of the Island. The few fragments which sti “main
ie 5 cry summits of Great and Little Stone Tons as well
the loftiest portion of Horse Point itself, show S Z \ ^

produced upon it by the higher regions. J lufluence

othe“pIrJsoffrfr d“ ‘r rf “■POrt!°n' differi,’g 80 m“h

was par t If » o . / ’ r " g',Vm rise “> that it once

X„P™, Could we glance at the Island as it stood

high lit T° T ' T ' We S,'0Ul<1 See ifa mo"“tai" P“hs rising

gh into the clouds, a thousand feet perhaps, or even more above

other slotf^ al*ltude ■ ihe ™ter lying on one side, and 'on the
hei sloping plains, stretching several miles further out to sea than

58

ST. HELENA.

tlie coast line now, and we should fail to recognise, in its present
form, the same Island. Atmospheric action upon the rocks, through
long ages, bringing about gradual denudation, has reduced its
elevation, and, with the aid of heavy rains and slight upheaving
force, rendered its surface irregular ; while the unceasing wear and
tear of the restless ocean on its rocky coast has reduced its area to
almost one half of its original size.

With this figure of the Island in mind, we may next proceed to
view the effects produced by such causes, as have just been mentioned,
upon its surface ; and first in order examine the water-cut gorges
which have been already referred to as intersecting the northern,
eastern, and western portions. These ravines, the largest of which
number about sixteen, originate on the high land near the crater's
edge, but deepen and widen as they approach the sea coast, where
some of them measure not less than one-eighth of a mile across at
the bottom, three-eighths of a mile across the top, and a thousand
feet in depth. Lemon V alley, viewed from Thompson’s Hill, affords
a good type of these huge channels. The strata on each side
correspond in position so regularly, that any suspicion of their being
caused by convulsive fractures is dispelled. The passage of rain
water from the mountain tops towards the sea is doubtless the
chief agent by which they have been formed, and the process of
deepening and widening may still be seen going on during heavy
rains. The water which falls on the high land rushes down towards
the sea, and, in its course washing out the rubble and mud beds,
undermines the lava until it splits off in great fragments, rolls down,
and in its turn is carried away. Many caves, formed by the under-
mining of the lava beds in this manner, may be seen along the
hillsides which enclose these ravines, and they also abound along the
sea shore where the waves have washed out the laterite beds for
many feet in a horizontal direction. Some of them constitute the
only habitations owned by fishermen ; others nearer the water level
are in consequence inaccessible, and serve only to increase the roar
of the waves as they roll in and out of them. There is a large one at
Frying-pan Cove, twenty feet in depth, and there are some situated
on the coast near Deep Valley, which are stalactitic, but these latter
are only accessible by boat at low tide.

In this manner these channels or gorges have, in coui’se of time,
been gradually increased in size, their enlargement doubtless being

Plate 18

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

59

more rapid at that period when the land being higher attracted more
clouds, and consequently there was greater rainfall, and probably
snow water to assist the process. Although this action is sufficient
to account for the present size and appearance of these ravine- I am
inclined to think that they had their rudimentary origin or their
courses traced out previous to their enlargement by running water
in the sheets of lava as they spread outwards from the crater’s ed«-e
m a semi-fluid or viscous state. Flowing in a sluggish manner, the
outer edge of the lava would naturally terminate in a form somewhat
similai to that of the fingers of a human hand when spread out
a upon ie palm ; each subsequent flow or stratum taking the
same course and shape, the spaces left between the fingers, as it
veie, would represent the commencement of the ravines. That the
avas iave travelled very slowly is evidenced by the elongation, in

cnee ion of the flow, of the air cavities contained in them, as

T tlle remarkable forms which the scum has assumed

W 616 las accumulated, before cooling, very like the froth
on the surface of stagnant water. In the locality of High Knoll
and Ladder Hill, this hardened scum so greatly resembles in texture
* e stems °f frees as to be commonly mistaken for petrified wood.
’;ome of it is so scoriaceous or full of minute cavities that it floats
for a considerable time when placed in water ; it is, in fact, a kind
of coarse pumice.

A confirmation of the opinion that the larger ravines had their
origin in the flows of lava, I think, may be obtained by walking
along the ridge, or present crater edge, and noticing the natural
forms of the spurs or divisions which separate one from the other
Standing on Diana’s Peak, and looking down eastward, the flow of
lavas appears to have taken two directions. One stream, that nearest
to the hill on which stands Sunberry Cottage, has flowed irregularly
for about a quarter of a mile easterly, when it seems to have
divided ; one branch has flowed northerly towards Prosperous Bay
on which is situated Arnos Yale, and now shows a very ruo-o-ed
steep ridge for about a mile, until it reaches “ Shark’s Valley,” when
it turns in an easterly direction towards George’s Island, and then
gradually slopes down, losing itself in Shark’s Valley, about three-
quarters of a mile distant from the sea shore ; the other branch seems
to have travelled on still more easterly, forming that very irregular
portion of the Island lying between Stone Top Bay and Deep

60

ST. HELENA.

Valley Bay. In this second direction the flow appears still to form
the side of the crater for about a quarter of a mile down from the
top of the Peak, indeed, until it reaches Cuckold’s Point, where it
separates into two streams, one running south-easterly down to
Deep Valley, the other south-westerly, overlying and destroying
the edge of the crater, and then winding down to Green Hill and
White Hill. In a similar manner may be traced the courses of
Halley’s Mount and Alarm Bidge, Casons and Merryman’s Hill,
with several others, as one travels westward towards High Peak,
from whence also a lava stream takes its course north-westerly towards
Horse Pasture, with an adjacent arm to the westward. A little
distance eastward of West Lodge is seen another, forming a narrow
low hill between Horse Pasture and High Hill. The next is plainly
traced as High Hill itself, and then westward, in succession,
come Bottleys, Man and Horse, Churchyard, and Devil’s Hole
Bidge.

The features we shall next notice are the effects produced by a
slight upheaval, which some subterranean force, volcanic or elec-
trical, or both, has caused. This force, though doubtless consider-
able in itself, has in its results been moderate. It has acted
vertically throughout an imaginary line drawn from the crater-
iform hollow of Turk’s Cap Bay on the north-east, to the similarly
formed hollow at Manatee Bay on the south-west, across the
northern part of the Island, and slightly tilted more seawards
that portion which lies on its outer side. Inasmuch as it would he
impossible to walk, because of its intersecting nearly at right
angles the deep and rugged water-cut ravines with ridges and
plateaux separating them, let us glance along this line commencing
at the Barn Bock on the eastern corner of the Island. Here,
between it and Flagstaff Hill, we see a strange upheaval of the
unstratified cinereous sub-base of the Island* protruding high out of
the sea, and causing the lava strata which overlie it to dip eastward
and westward at angles of 35° and 20°. As might be expected,
small dikes abound at this spot, traversing in a vertical direction both

* From tlie Barn to the King and Queen or Prosperous Bay Telegraph, this formation,
which consists of cinereous rocks of a yellowish reddish hue, intersected in all directions by
numerous small dikes, may be seen underlying the lava strata similar to the formation on the
face of Ladder Hill, &c.

£ .W-Bohui saii.liih.

V:XW LOOKIN'!' SOUTH. OP LATERAL VOLCANIC CONE.. I HOP- KNOLL, p, $j.

L. Reeve k C° London.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

61

the unstratified and the stratified formations. The Barn itself is
a long, huge pile of alternating strata of mud, debris, and lavas,
similar to what has been already described, rising almost perpen-
dicularly to 2000 feet; the strata inclining 20° to the eastward, and
35° to the northward. Passing along in front of Longwood, over
Dead wood and Rupert’s Yalley, to the ridge which separates the
latter from James’ Valley, the upheaval is plainly recognised at a
point situated some little distance north of Sampson’s Battery, by
the sudden change in the inclination of the strata from about 6° to
b°, or 10°, and the presence of two very felspathic dikes, each
fifteen or twenty feet in thickness, which intersect the ridge in a
south-westerly direction ; one of these dikes, the material of which
may be fused at no very high temperature into a kind of coarse
Hack glass, can be traced across James’ Yalley, passing above the
Military Hospital, and up the eastern side of the plateau which
supports the hill called High Knoll, a lateral volcanic cone
formed by lavas ejected through the fissure which this disturbing
force had caused. This cone has a height of its own of about 500
feet, while its entire altitude above the sea is 1903 feet. It is com-
posed of very frothy, scummy lavas, tufas passing into breccias or
pudding-stones, mixed with ashes and cinders. None of the
lavas are compact, but sufficiently close in texture to form a good
building-stone easily worked with the chisel, hence “ High Knoll
stone” is much in request for the best style of building, including
the fortifications and other military works. Most of the lava is
however very scoriaceous, resembling a coarse kind of pumice-
stone, and bearing more l’ecent marks of fire than any other rock
in the Island. The formation of the cone exhibits in a most
interesting and striking way the influence of the wind upon ejected
matter from a volcano. That side which immediately faces the
south-east trade wind is quite perpendicular, while the whole of the
ejected matter has been blown in the opposite direction and built
up three sides of a most complete cone, with its slopes inclined
at angles of about 20° or 25°. It is remarkable that the decomposi-
tion of this High Knoll lava produces an ashy kind of soil, in
which few plants will grow and scarcely any thrive. Upon the top
of this cone 1 picked up what appeared to be a lava internal cast of
a bivalve shell, about six inches in length, and very much resembling
unio sheppardianus, or some similar species. It is quite possible that

62

ST. HELENA.

the hot, frothy lava scum obtained admittance into the shell, and,
while cooling itself, so as to retain the form of an internal cast,
burnt the shell, causing it to fall away as quicklime ; hut how a sea
shell, if such it really was, got on to the top of this lofty volcanic
pile has yet to he solved.*

The ejection of lava appears to have occurred more in the form
of bubbling up and overflowing, while the cinders were thrown
to a considerable height. The former, in many places, is twisted
into almost all imaginable tortuous shapes, by a fresh flow running
over the half-consolidated one which preceded it, and pushing
or curling up the frothy scum into the fibrous forms which the
scoriae still retains. On the western side of the cone, low down in
the valley adjoining New Ground, the thin flows of lava down the
face of the cone, at an angle of 30°, are easily traced.

Leaving High Knoll, and proceeding westward along the line of
upheaving force, across the plains and ridges called New Ground,
Rock Cottage, Friar’s Ridge, High Point, Horse Pasture, High
Hill, and Bottleys, on this side of Manatee Bay, we see evidences of
a disturbance in the strata at each point. The high sharp division
between two ravines, called Friar’s Ridge, exhibits a striking
illustration of shattering and squeezing up of very compact lavas,
the lateral pressure having been so great as to cause a sort of
columnar structure to appear, while the angle of inclination ol the
lava-beds northwards is changed from 5 and 6 , to 10 and 12 .
Much crumbling away of the rocks at this point has occuired,
through the extreme narrowness of the ridge, and on its very crest
there still remains a pile of stones about twelve or fourteen feet in
height. Worn, weather-beaten, and lichen-covered, it has stood for
many years until it has assumed, when viewed from a distance, a
most strikingly -correct resemblance to a cloaked and hooded figure,
giving rise to the following legendary story : —

“The place where the Friar now stands was supposed once, to have
been the site of a Roman Catholic Chapel, adjoining which was the
residence of the officiating priest, a monk of the Franciscan order,
who was considered as an example of Christian piety and humility,
his life being passed in the performance of acts of charity and

* I still have this specimen pasted away with others, and hope to get it carefully
examined.

“Vincent "Brooks , Lith .

63

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

benevolence, such as attending the sick, relieving the oppressed ;
and often did he interpose his charitable interference between the
severe taskmaster and his wretched slaves, when the latter were
condemned, for some trifling offence, to undergo fearful mutilations
or the cruel lash. Thus, in acts of piety, this man of God pursued
his way, blessing and blessed, till his senses became enthralled by
the surpassing beauty of a mountain nymph, who dwelt in a
cottage not far removed from the friar’s lonely habitation. It was
m one of his rambles, in search of some object of charity, that his
eyes first encountered this lovely daughter of the Atlantic Isle,
tending a herd of her father’s mountain goats on the adjacent hill’
ca ed ‘Goat Pound Ridge.’ They had strayed so far that she had
vainly tried to collect them, and was returning tired and sad to her
c welling, when encountering the monk, she humbly told her tale,
and asked his assistance. It was readily accorded, for who could
resist sucn an appeal, enhanced by so much beauty ? The scattered
ock was re-united, and the young girl, gracefully acknowledging
his services, with a light heart returned to her home. It would
have been well for the good Father had that interview been the last,
but fate ordained it otherwise. Again and again he sought her
mountain cot, pouring into the maiden’s ear his tale of love and
adoration, and finally besought her to be his bride. She promised,
but on one condition only, to listen to his suit — he must renounce
his creed and become of her faith. Upon these terms alone would
she consent, and until he had resolved thus to prove his devotion
he must not hope to see her again. The struggle was a fearful one in
the breast of the monk, but love triumphed in the end : he forsook
the laith of his fathers, broke his vows, and became a renegade.

“ In due course of time the wedding day was fixed ; the ceremony
was to be performed in that very chapel which had so often re-echoed
the apostate’s pious prayers for his suffering flock, and the bride,
accompanied by her attendant maidens, approached the altar. The
service was read, and just as the bridegroom was clasping the hand
of his beloved a fearful crash resounded, the rock was rent asunder,
and every vestige of the chapel, and of those it contained, for ever
disappeared. In its place stands the gaunt image of the grim friar,
an example and a sad warning to those who suffer their evil passions
to prevail over their better judgment.”

At Burnt Rock, on Horse Pasture, near the back of Woodlands

64

ST. HELENA.

Farm, the angle of inclination of the strata changes from 6° to 20°,
while at High Hill, 2323 feet above the sea, the effects of up-
heaval are, with the exception of The Barn, much more strikingly
visible than at any point along the whole line. Here the ridge, on
the northern side, has been forced up and elevated some hundred
feet above the southern portion, and its strata have been inclined
seawards or northwards at an angle of 25°, while the strata abutting
against it on the southern side are nearly horizontal, leading almost
to the idea that they flowed from the crater after instead of before the
upheaval.

The next ridge in succession, known as Bottleys, shows, though
in a less degree, a complete disjointing, with one portion forced
higher than the other, and the strata inclining seawards at a greater
than their original angle. From Bottleys we obtain a good view
looking down into Manatee Bay, a large crateriform bowl with its
grassy green edge in the foreground, its many-tinted barren lava
sides intersected by numberless variously-coloured dikes as a
middle distance, and for a background, Speery Island rising like
a pillar of silver from a sea of the deepest azure blue, the whole
making up one of the finest landscapes in this grand and striking
scenery.

Throughout the length of this upheaval line, the occurrence of a
substratum of red marly earth is visible, where it intersects the
ridges, particularly at the Bed Quarry, Bock Cottage, and Horse
Pasture.

That a volcanic, suboceanic as well as subterranean, force did
however exist at parts of this line of upheaval, previous to the Island
itself being formed, may be inferred, after a careful examination of a
locality situated on the eastern side of High Knoll, and called “ The
Waterfall;” here, in the ravine or upper part of James’ Valley,
there is a perpendicular drop of three hundred feet. Each flow of
lava, as it took its course northwards from the great crater of Sandy
Bay, appears at this point to have been abruptly stopped in its
progress. It was not driven back so as to accumulate to a thickness
greater than that it originally possessed, but seems to have had
its edge cut clean off and removed away from the spot : in this
manner a sort of horseshoe-shaped crater, about 150 yards in
diameter, with perpendicular sides on the east, south, and
west, rising to 300 feet, and its fourth side open, has been

Plate 17.

y'iirfr'

VIEW, LOOKING SOUTH, OF THE WATERFALL , SITE OF AN EXTINCT S'^LFATARA. 65.

L. Reeve k C.c.' Icmdon

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

65

formed. It is not unreasonable to conclude that, long ere fiery
vapour and lavas began to belch forth from the Sandy Bay crater,
or the work of building up the Island commenced, this spot, where
now simply a mountain stream trickles over the cliff falling in
showers of spray to the bottom, was the site of a Solfatara of
no moderate size and force, emitting water, aqueous vapour, and
other gases, unaccompanied by the ejection of lava, cinders, or ashes.
Such being the case, the discharge of steam and water must have
continued with great force until after the lavas and other matter
ejected from the Sandy Bay crater, which was distant three and a
half miles south-westerly from it, had built up the Island to a
height of a thousand feet or more above the level of the sea, each
flow of lava northwards being checked in its course and so flowing
round the watery discharge of the Solfatara. At a subsequent
period, perhaps after the Island had been built up to its full height,
this Solfatara or fountain of steam, probably at a time of its
minimum power, became choked hy an accumulation of fragments of
rocks and other debris ; and to its imprisoned force, struggling to
obtain an outlet, may be attributed that shattering of the whole
Island, which resulted in the upheaval of its northern portion, and
the numerous rents across it, which being subsequently filled with
lavas from below formed the various dikes we now see traversing
ihe Island in the same direction as the line of upheaval — viz., from
north-east to south-west. Although the large bowls at either end
°t this line of upheaval — the one situated at Turk’s Cap Bay and
the other at Manatee Bay — are very crateriform in appearance, there
are no traces of lava strata which by their position can be said to
have come from them.

Turk’s Cap Valley, as it is called, lying between The Barn,Gregories,
and Deadwood plain, presents an interesting part of the Island. From
Deadwood it is easiest of access. Walking being out of the question,
°ne has to slide down a number of deep furrows or narrow valleys
°nt in the ochres and variously coloured clays for near two thousand
feet, in order to reach the bottom. The furrowed and rugged surface
°f these steeps is intersected in every direction with dikes of all sizes.

I noticed some of them less than two inches wide, while others are as
large as three or four feet in thickness. In almost every case they pre.
Sent marked instances of vitreous edges, showing plainly that they
'Vere formed after the mass in which they occur had cooled. In this

66

ST. HELENA.

space, not exceeding fifty acres in area, I counted hundreds of them, in
some places lying almost side by side, in others crossing one another,
and varying so much in composition that the difficulty was to find
two alike. ° Some are almost entirely of augite, and I observed one
much resembling granite in mechanical structure. In this valley I saw
masses of compact calcspar ol a pale yellowish coloui and tianslucent
nature, in form, apparently, as though it had bubbled up and over
the lava rocks previous to its hardening. At a depth of about thirty
feet below the surface there occurs a kind of yellow jasper which
turns red in colour when exposed to heat. It is, however, not obtain-
able in any great quantity. Crystals of augite occur in this valley
embedded in the lava, which, from their perfect form, scarcely seem
to have travelled all the way from the Sandy Bay crater. The surface
of the ground in many places is, similarly to Deadwood plain, thinly
covered with small nodules of brown hematite.

The ground lying between Bottleys and Churchyard, extending
down to Manatee Bay, is very similar in formation to that of Turk’s
Cap Valley just described. Streams of lava have flowed from the Great
Sandy Bay crater’s edge, on one side towards Man and Horse, and
on the other towards Speery, inclosing a crateriform space of some
considerable size, the most practicable descent into which, and down
to the sea shore, is along the ridge of an arm or lateral branch caused
by a divergence of the lava streams towards Ian and Iloise. dins
part of the Island is certainly not without great interest. It is
barren, excepting here and there, where, being inaccessible, the grass
has escaped the reach of cattle, goats, or sheep, and grown luxuri-
antly. The marks of fire and fusion are evident on all sides, and the
whole valley strikingly illustrates the appropriateness of its local
name, “ Shaken Bocks.” It certainly has been shaken and rent
throughout, and is intersected by thousands of dikes crossing one
another in every direction. Scarcely fifty square yards exist in any
part, altogether in extent about forty acres, that are not crossed by a
dike. These dikes vary greatly in composition; some are highly
augitic, others felspathic, and in some instances these different for-
mations lie side by side with each other. They do not, however, so
distinctly show a vitreous selvage as those on the north-eastern side
of the Island, thus, I think, proving the existence of greater heat of
lono-er duration in this part. Descending into the bowl, the strata
become more augitic and basaltic in character, and then lower down

•// d •TXOTTBpTP.T.ap ?CU40l[S

Mva a mv dvo sxm do /.veia xsw hxhom

Plate 15

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

67

very zeolitic. In some places the zeolite occurs in bands and seams
an eighth of an inch in thickness, but there is a marked absence of
laterite beds when compared with the other parts of the Island.
The sea has worn away the rocks to a distance of fifty feet or more
at the beach, forming a plateau of dikes. The beach itself is formed
of loose shingle, and the ground around is covered with fragments of
a laminated phonolitic-looking dike. A greystone laminated or
schistose dike, traversed by one purely augitic, may also be seen
amongst the many varieties which occur at this spot.

It is asserted that Manatees have been seen on shore at this
portion of the coast ; if such be true they have proved their race
t° be able navigators to have traversed the tortuous passages formed
by the projecting dikes, which, running out into the sea, have
desisted the destructive action of the waves, and stand up from the
water like masses of crumbling masonry and tottering castle walls.
The naturally wild, desert-like aspect of this portion of the
Island is somewhat increased by the appearance here and there of
the dead carcase of a sheep, and the wild scream of the sea fowl
singled with the ceaseless voice of the ocean.

To investigate the probable age of the Island, apart from the
time occupied in building it up from its foundation to its summit,*
lecourse must be had to an examination of the denuding action of
the atmosphere upon the surface, and of the sea upon the coast line;
and although no exact estimate can be arrived at, it is possible, by
a calculation formed upon careful bases, to approximate near to it.

The possession of a peculiar fauna and flora in itself points to
very great antiquity, but its geological formation alone is sufficient to
distinguish it as perhaps the most ancient volcanic production of its
character.

It may even still be startling to some who cling to the
idea that the world is no older than six thousand years, to be in-
formed that the Island is a veteran of at least eight or ten times
that period ; and that there it has stood, alone, weather-beaten and
Worn, unvisited perhaps by any save wild seabirds, through hun-
dreds of centuries before the birth of man. But, be this as it may,
We are bound to read the Book of Nature aright, knowing well that

* At St. Helena sixty or seventy distinct flows of lava can even still be counted, and if these
occurred at intervals of a century, it would give a period of six or seven thousand years for
he building up of the Island.

v 2

68

ST. HELENA.

iii doing so, prejudices must disappear, and that scientific investiga-
tion only helps us the better to understand revealed Scripture.

Without taking into consideration the period occupied in building
up the Island, the data we have to guide us in fixing its birth so long
ago are those changes which have manifestly occurred in the contour
of the land. If then we are able to fix definitely the outline of the
formation as it originally stood, and then assume, after careful ob-
servation, a rate for its disintegration and decomposition, we may
easily arrive, by a simple calculation, at a fairly correct estimate of
the time required for it to assume its present size and shape. If we
pick up a piece of stone anywhere on the higher land and break it
across, we see directly that its interior presents a hard bright metallic
lava fracture very different in colour and texture from its external
coating, which for about a quarter of an inch in thickness is soft
and friable. We quite fail, indeed, to recognise the inside and the
outside of the stone as the same substance ; but it is only exposure
to wet and dry weather alternately that has thus oxydized or rotted
and changed the external surface, which crumbling away and falling
into clay or dust allows the atmospheric influence to continue acting
on the stone, eating deeper and deeper into it until it becomes, in
time, completely reduced to powder. This process is continually
going on in large rocks as well as small stones, and the higher the
altitude, where the most moisture exists, or the nearer the rocks
are to the influence of the sea, so much quicker does disintegra-
tion and decomposition take place. There remains no landmark
whereby to judge how much higher the edge of the great crater, or
central mountain ridge, once was than it is at present, but that it
was much higher is certain. Its lava edges have through ages (just
as is still the case, with the assistance also of vegetation), gone on
passing into alluvial soil, which in its turn has been washed down by
rains to the valleys and plateaux of the lower districts. Much of the
upper surface of the Island has in this way been removed, while much
also still remains as marl in a transition state from lava rock to
surface soil ; indeed most of the upper parts of the Island are now
covered with these grey, blue, or yellow marls, but they do not
extend to more than a few feet in depth, when the hard lava again
occurs. There are many opportunities of observing this in the road-
side pits which the road-menders, searching for material, have opened.

The rapidity with which rocks disintegrate or wear away varies

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

69

according to their nature ; often the harder rock, lying side by side
with those of different quality, is left standing while its adjacent
ground disappears. We have already noticed this in the case of
the large dike traversing the Sandy Bay crater, and to which we
shall again recur in connexion with the subject now before us.
There are, however, in addition to that dike, other large ones inter-
secting the edge of the crater, whicli by the same process have been
laid bare ; some of these are of considerable size, and, although not
so conspicuous and easily traced as the Great Lot dike, they all
partake of the same general direction and lie parallel with it. At
intervals, where the directions coincide, the crater edge itself is at
present formed for some distance by the exposed edge of a dike.
This may be seen to the westward of Diana’s Peak, where
the narrow roadway leading to the highest mountain top appears
to pass along the top of a wall, this wall being nothing more
than the dike itself, with perpendicular faces of a hundred feet
or more, and a width of only eight or ten feet. But for the ferns
nnd other native vegetation which thickly clothe it, and conceal the
danger, this perilous way would certainly be less popular with
pleasure-seekers and pic-nic parties en route for Diana’s Peak. The
edge of the crater, about three miles further to the westward, a little
beyond West Lodge, is again cut by some of these dikes crossing it
at very acute angles. Three of them of considerable thickness, but
not rendered so strikingly conspicuous by denudation of the sur-
rounding rocks, lie within the space of half a mile ; and, although
placed in such near proximity to one another, differ entirely in
composition. Proceeding in the direction already indicated, to a
short distance beyond the old Piquet House on the ridge, we arrive
at the first of these dikes. It is composed of a compact dolerite, of
a deep brownish hue, containing disseminated augite and chrysolite.
Partly amygdaloidal and zeolitic, the cavities being filled or lined
^ith minute white transparent crystals in form resembling chabazite.
Massive boulders of this rock have become detached and rolled down
the hillside, where they lie scattered about, protruding above
the grassy slopes on either side of the road leading from West
Lodge down to Thompson’s Wood. Upon nearing Thompson’s Wood
House, where a small patch of weather-beaten Pine trees stands in its
*ear, other boulders similarly lodged occur, but of a somewhat more
laminated character. Their composition also is found on exami-

70

ST. HELENA.

nation to be very different from those already passed, and, being com-
posed of phonolite or clinkstone with a very whitish-grey fracture
and a perfectly white marginal surface, afford a good illustration
of the decomposition which atmospheric influences are working on
their exterior. These masses of rock have rolled down several
hundred feet from the dike which crosses the crater-edge above,
while, on the other side also, similar boulders have fallen down into
the crater, where, on the steep sides, they lodge in strange positions.
Along the road to Lot’s Wife Wood, just after passing Lufkins,
one or two of these great stones, measuring some forty or fifty feet
in length, may be seen perched up in most curious positions.

Further still to the westward, on the main ridge or crater edge,
occurs the third dike to which allusion has been made. It is com-
posed of altogether a different material from the others, being of a
dark blue basalt, with embedded crystals of augite and olivine ;
boulders have also become detached from it, and rolled down the
sides of the hill ; many of them, weather-worn into fantastic shapes,
have lodged on a plateau, and, through their resemblance to
mammoth tombstones, have obtained for the locality the name of
“ The Churchyard.”

It is the great Lot dike, however, which is best suited for
illustrating our present subject. The average height of those
elevated columnar portions of it, called Lot and Lot’s Wife, above the
adjacent ground which has been worn away, is 275 feet. They are,
as has been mentioned, formed of a hard felspathic finely crystalline
greystone, and would, as is seen to be. the case, naturally wear down
more slowly than the surrounding rocks, which are much softer and
altogether of a different composition. Supposing, then, the latter to
weather away at the rate of one-tenth of an inch faster each year
than the hard dike, which seems to be a fair estimate, we should
obtain the period of 33,000 years as that which has elapsed since the
dike and the inclosing land stood at the same height, which they
undoubtedly did when the dike was formed. A still longer period
of existence is indicated by the denuding effect of the sea waves.
Hocks exposed to their action have not only the corroding and
oxydating influence to wear them away, but are in addi-
tion subjected to a mechanical mode of destruction. The sea
undermines the layers of lava, by washing out the volcanic mud and
rubble beds which underlie them ; consequently pieces split off, roll

Hate 12

SOTtFA "WEST PORTION Oi' GE&AX EDSE. SEEEKST. Jl.51.

WEST VIEW OF GREAT BIKE. ICT . TOT'S WEE, ASSfe WR3 *C. p JD * 50.

L. Reeve & C° Xondon.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

71

down into the sea, are broken into fragments and washed away.
Many instances of this undermining may be seen around the coast;
at Bankses there is a very good example, where a thick layer
of lava is deeply undercut. It is, however, not so quick a process
as may at first sight appear, and such falls around the coast of St.
Helena rarely occur, though, when they do, a good slice of rock comes
away. The northern coast has in this manner been cut into by
the sea making its way inland for a distance of 1233 yards, or
nearly three-quarters of a mile, leaving a perpendicular face to the
cliff of 600 or 1000 feet. This is what we find on the leeward side,
where the sea is generally calm, excepting occasionally when dis-
turbed by the rollers ; but the denuding action of the Atlantic waves,
which sweep with great force before the south-east trades against the
windward side, has been much greater. There, at Holdfast Tom
near Prosperous Bay, Stone Top, and Old Joan Point, the
Island has been worn away until perpendicular cliffs of full 2000
feet have been formed.

An effect of this kind is visible also at Ascension, which, being
a more recent formation, has been less acted on by the rollers along
its northern coast, but has been considerably denuded on that side
which is exposed to the prevailing winds. Again, at Madeira it is
seen that those parts of the coast which are exposed to the broad
sweep of the Atlantic are the most worn away.

By prolonging the direction of the strata, and making due
allowance for any displacement, the original coast line can be ascer-
tained with tolerable correctness, and this we find at Holdfast
Tom was once 3300 yards, or nearly two miles, further seaward than
it is at present. If then the wearing away, in a horizontal direc-
tion, of the coast at this exposed point, was at the rate of three
inches in a year, it would require a period of 39,600 years to elapse
since the action of the sea commenced to produce this change ; or,
taking the less exposed side of the Island, as at Ladder Hill, an
encroachment by the sea of one inch horizontally per year would
suffice to give 44,388 years. This estimate of the encroachment by
the sea on those hard iron-bound basaltic cliffs, is, to one who has
for many years carefully watched its progress, rather a minimum
than a maximum rate. Year after year passes without any per-
ceptible change in the line of cliff; the undercut strata at Bankses,
already mentioned, has through a number of years remained appa-

72

ST. HELENA.

rently unchanged, and though occasionally slices of cliff do fall
away, such instances are rare, at long intervals, and scarcely ever
known by any one person to happen at the same spot. At the
present time progressive rates of three inches and one inch per
year are certainly too great, but we may fairly take such an average,
because the horizontal advance of the sea would lessen each year as
the vertical depth of the cliff to be removed increased.

The Island is now bounded by a coast line of 30 miles. Its super-
ficial area measures 45 square miles, or 28,800 acres. A careful
calculation estimates the entire encroachment of the sea at 30 square
miles, or 92,928,000 square yards, while no less than ll,587,2S0,00O
cubic yards ot solid land have been removed through its denuding
power. How assuming, from our previous calculation, the Island to
have existed only 40,000 years, we have an annual encroachment of
the sea on the land of 2323 square yards, and a yearly removal by
denudation of the enormous mass of 289,082 cubic yards. The
numerous dikes which jut out around the windward coast from
Turk’s Cap to Man and Horse show this action of the sea, es-
pecially at a place called “.Lot’s Wife Ponds,” where a fine illustra-
tion ot this terribly destructive agency is seen in the ruins of many
dikes, which the devastating power of the waves has brought down
to their own level. They have all the appearance of regularly built
jetties running out through the surf into the sea. It would be difficult,
however, to land at the spot, as they cross each other and lie in
almost every direction just below the surface of the water. A portion
of one of the hardest, a very dense block of black basaltic rock, has
long defied the force of the water, and stands in a striking position,
about twenty feet away from the mainland. It measures about fifty
feet in height, thirty in width, and from four to six in depth, and
from its remarkable appearance bears the name of “ The Chimney.”

Several small islets, some of which stand sufficiently away from
the coast to allow a ship of large size to pass between, also testify to
this destructive action of the sea. Both Egg Island and George’s
Island show the same formation of lava beds as the adjacent coast,
while Speery Island marks a portion of the great Lot dike, and
Peaked, or Lanark, Island is a curious remnant of a scoriaceous mass
of cinders firmly cemented together, the counterpart of which is seen
in a thick bed of rubbish on the mainland opposite.

At a time when the plains of Rupert’s' Hill, Half-tree Hollow,

PCR.T101I OS GREAT BIKE. ASS'S EARS. p.S!.. PORTION OP GREAT DIKE . LOT'S WIFE . p.S0 & 70.

Piste 13

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 73

New Ground, Horse Pasture, and other portions of the Island, sloped
gently down to the sea without intervening precipices, there doubtless
existed long, low-lying coasts, upon which accumulated a white sand
of broken shells, finer in grain but not unlike that now found at
Ascension. This sand, having drifted into secluded places, and
becoming compressed and hardened, now appears in the form of lime-
stone beds, fragments of which occur at Lot’s Wife Ponds, Bankses
Bidge, and Bupert’s Beach. These beds vary very greatly now in
altitude, some being on a level with the sea, others as much as
four or five hundred feet above it. They contain embedded
fragments of very old looking lava rock, and are inclined inland, as
at Lot’s Wife, at an angle of 20°, but whether this inclination is due
to drift or slight upheaval it is difficult to determine. The strati-
fication of the beds, however, rather indicates the latter. The hardest
of this limestone, when burnt, yields an excellent building mortar,
but it exists in small quantities.

In many respects there exists evidence of the great mass of the
Island having cooled slowly. It is indicated by the entire absence of
obsidian, as well as by the vitreous edges of the dikes. The hot matter
"winch formed the dike, coming into contact with tbe cold sides of
the opening which it filled, would quickly cool and account for the
glass-like edges, in some places passing into serpentine, which occur
in many of the dikes at St. Helena.

Earthquakes happen so rarely, and when they do are so slight,
that they scarcely need be noticed as occurring at all. Four only
have been recorded during the last 370 years — viz., one on the 15th
June, 1756; another in 1780; one on the 21st September, 1817;
and the last on the 15th July, 1864.

It is not a little remarkable that in so complete a volcanic formation
no traces of sulphur occur, either native or in combination with
other substances ; and of the numerous springs of water which exist
only some few appear impure, and that caused only by the presence
oi sea salt, which is plentiful in some of the higher beds of laterite
and rubble. Not a single instance of a spring above the ordinary
temperature is found, and, indeed, no recent signs whatever exist
anywhere to indicate proximity to a volcanic locality.*

, Helena Monthly Register lor 1S10 states that “ a warm mineral spring was a

s ort time ago discovered near Longwood. It rises from under an immense body of sofid rock,

51 temperature is 60° Fakr. which was 6° above the temperature of the surrounding atmo-

74

ST. SELENA.

The large supply of water found in the Island is remarkable,
there being, apart from the numerous small brackish springs which
occur on the outskirts and the low lands, no less than 212 fresh
water springs, yielding daily about 8000 tuns of the purest quality.
There is, indeed, scarcely a paddock or meadow without its spring
of the very clearest water. For such a bountiful gift to this Islands
while the neighbouring one of Ascension is entirely dependent upon
condensed sea water and collected rain water stored in tanks, I
think the difference in geological structure accounts. Clouds very
frequently envelope the high mountainous parts of both these
Islands, as they do at Madeira and the Canary group, though not to
so great an extent, and, except on those bright cloudless days
which sometimes occur, a condensation of moisture is taking place
night and day. The water thus deposited soaks into the soil, and,
flowing along the impenetrable upper surface of some substratum of
thick lava, finds its exit, where the edge of that stratum crops out, in
the form of a fresh water spring. Ascension appears to differ in this
respect ; the lava strata do not exist in such broad massive sheets or
layers, but the whole formation partakes more of a cindery, scori-
aceous, and porous nature, so that whatever moisture is deposited
from the clouds on the mountain top penetrates vertically down
through the Island, and is not, as at St. Helena, arrested in its pro-
gress by any solid strata.

The lava beds on the high land, where they have now passed
into a hard grey or whitish marl, are considerably perforated by
cylindrical holes, measuring from three-quarters to an inch in
diameter and two or three inches deep. These holes pass occasion-
ally into one another, and generally terminate in a conical form.
Upon close examination their interior surface shows a roughly-
grooved texture, the furrows running transversely round the sides,
plainly indicating the marks of some apparatus by which they have
been bored. In considerable numbers these perforations may be
seen along the roadside banks, in the neighbourhood of Jolio’s Hole,
Green Gate, Halley’s Mount, and very generally at the same

sphere at the time of examination. It is found to hold in solution a considerable quantity
of neutral salts, principally sulphate of magnesia, and is a mild and effectual cathartic. It
very nearly resembles the Bristol Hot Wells, but is not so unpleasant to the taste and would
most probably be found equally useful in the cure of those diseases for which that celebrated
spring is used.” My failing to meet with this spring would not be altogether conclusive that
it does not now exist.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

75

altitude of about 2000 feet above tbe sea. Mostly they are filled
with mud, and altogether present a very ancient appearance. It
being contrary to all evidence that these rocks were ever in such
positions as to be bored by pliolades, or any creatures inhabiting
the sea, we may reasonably form the conclusion that the litho-
domous perforations which we now find in them have been made by
the great land snail of St. Helena, the Bulimus auris vulpina,
previous to its becoming extinct in the Island. This opinion is
strengthened by the non-existence of any other creature likely to
have bored them, as well as by the fact that a comparison of some
of the shells with the holes shows a very accurate correspondence.
Some additional force may also, I think, be derived from the fact
mentioned to me by Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys, that this extinct bulimus
must have lived in water or svvapips, as well as on land. It is true
that nothing like a lake or a swamp of any size now remains in the
Island, but there is no reason why, previous to its being so broken
up and drained by denudation, large ponds and swamps should not
have existed — indeed it seems most probable that they did, and also
that their edges or coasts were formed of these very rocks in which
the perforations occur. The existence of so much moisture would
have greatly facilitated the passing of the lavas into felspathic
marls, and thus account for the large masses which occur in a
tumbled, displaced position from what they must originally have
occupied as strata.

The subsequent disappearance of swamps by drainage, as the
Island became smaller, would very probably account for the death
and extinction of this bulimus by depriving it of its natural element,
and perhaps also of its food, in some semi-aquatic plants, the
existence of which might also be brought to an end as the land
became drier.

It is also not a little remarkable that the dead bulimus shells are
now found on the north-eastern side of the Island, where, no doubt,
judging from the appearance of the land, swamps would have
existed at a more recent period than at any other part.

The Island cannot be said to be rich in minerals, nothing having
yet been discovered of much commercial value. Pyrolusite, or
black oxide of manganese, has been exported to Europe and obtained
a fair market price, but it is an ore of a hard description, and
difficult to separate from the clay-beds in which it occurs. This,

76

ST. SELENA.

combined with the heavy expense of transport, prevents it from
being worked.

A very large variety of clays exists in many places between the
lava beds and on the high land. Several of them are of a pure
white, which leads to the idea that some value might attach to them
as material for the manufacture of porcelain. They have, however,
been pronounced valueless for such a purpose. In the year 1868, a
large and carefully-made collection of them was tested by Mr. John
Mortlock, of Oxford Street, London, and he reported that trials
made with them showed that, without an exception, they all con-
tained more or less iron, which rendered them totally unfit for
potter’s purposes.

Such rocks and minerals as are found chiefly to occur are,
together with localities and particulars, as follows : —

Dense, very finely crystalline basalt.

Ditto, containing disseminated crystals of augite and olivine —
s.g. 2’83 to 3T3.

Ditto, with iron chrysolite.

Dense basalt, with few cavities containing sea water — s.g. 2'S4;
James’ Valley.

Highly scoriaceous lava.

Amygdaloidal lava.

Phonolite or clinkstone ; great Lot dike, Ass’s Ears, &c.

Numerous varieties of felspathic lavas, varying from basalt and
greystone to trachyte — s.g. 2 '61.

Volcanic bombs or pear-shaped masses of lava.

Porphyritic basalt, containing crystals of felspar, augite, &c. —
Dike in Turk’s Cap Valley.

Amygdaloidal greystone, containing embedded augite and iron
chrysolite, some of the cavities being lined with very minute,
brilliant, and perfect cubic crystals of zeolite, probably
chabazite.

Amygdaloidal greystone, the cavities filled with zeolite in very
small boitroidal masses, composed of extremely minute
radiating fibrous crystals, probably natrolite.

Amygdaloidal lava filled with perfectly spherical, very minute
cavities, coated on the inside with a thin layer of zeolitic
mineral.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

77

Cellular Lava. — Many varieties.

Trachyte. — s.G. 2 523.

Ditto, passing into white clay ; below Bamboo Hedge, at
Ladder Hill, &c. — s.g. 2-75.

Lamelliferous greystone dike from immediate proximity to augite
and other dikes ; Manatee Bay.

Laterite. — Various colours and degrees of hardness, between beds
of Lava.

Volcanic tufa, between layers of lava.

Volcanic breccia or pudding stone ; Ladder Hill, &c.

Volcanic scoriaceous agglomerate.

Compressed tufaceous rock.

Compressed tufaceous rock, coloured red by oxide of iron, and
containing augite, &c. ; Bed Quarry, Woodlands, Bock
Cottage, Buperts ; a compact variety, much hardened by
plutonic action and pressure between the thick layers of
lava, is largely used as a dressed stone for building pur-
poses. A coating of mortar on the exposed face preserves
it from atmospheric action. The basalts and harder rocks
are used chiefly for rubble building and for macadamizing
roads.

Agglomerate rocks formed of masses of scoriae and volcanic ashes
lying between the beds of laterite and lava.

Porphyritic lava, containing disseminated crystals of carbonate
of lime; Holdfast Tom.

Volcanic scoria? and pumice ; High Knoll.

Volcanic ashes.

Possiliferous-like masses of scoriae ; High Knoll.

Augite rock ; Turk’s Cap, Manatee Bay, &c.

Siliceous rock — Flint, coloured by oxide of iron, chiefly in pebbles
on seashore at Manatee Bay. — s.g. 2-60.

Dolerite, containing disseminated augite and chrysolite, partially
amygdaloidal and zeolitic. The cavities containing crystallized
cbabazite. — s. g.2‘85. Dike on crater edge above Thomp-
son’s Wood.

Bed porphyritic lava from dike at Prosperous Bay.

Trachyte dikes, very laminated, exhibiting, through colouring
by oxide of iron, a false appearance of stratification. — s.g.
2 64. Prosperous Bay.

78

ST. HELENA.

Selenite — Sulphate of lime or gypsum, foliated, fibrous, crys-
talline, and stalactitic ; Bankses, Buperts, in veins on rocky
outskirts.

Augite crystals ; Manatee Bay, Lot, Turk’s Cap, &c. — s.g. 3 '08.

Olivine. — Crystals.

"Ditto, having undergone change to iron chrysolite.

Calcite or calcspar in masses, fibrous and compact. — s.g. 2‘78.
Turk’s Cap Valley.

Yellow jasper, changes by the application of heat to a reddish-
brown colour; Valley near Turk’s Cap.

Quartz. — Various varieties of chalcedony and agate.

Zeolite from cavities in basalt, in radiating acicular crystals,
probably natrolite or skolecite.

Boitroidal nodules of inferior brown haematite (iron ore) varying
in size from half an inch to four inches in diameter, s.g.
3T1. — Large quantities on the plains at Horse Pasture,
Bock Cottage, Flagstaff and Deadwood.

Silicate of iron (very impure iron ore) near Shipways. — s.g. 2‘92.

Pyrolusite. — A very hard binoxide of manganese, containing
66-47 per cent, of manganese, occurs in veins in beds of
claystone at Holdfast Tom, Fisher’s Valley, Turk’s Cap,
&c. The ore protrudes through the clay in scraggy scattered
boitroidal forms. — s.g. 3-62, 4T8, 4'40.

Carbonate of lime, zeolitic, in radiating boitroidal masses, mea-
suring about eighteen inches across, containing embedded
nodules of trachyte and carbonate of lime ; Prosperous Bav.

Ditto, pure crystals; s.g. 2 77. — Prosperous Bay.

Ditto, crystals and almond-shaped nodules from cavities in basalt ;
s.g. 2'96, 3'02.— James’ Valley.

Ditto, stalactitic and stalagmitic.

Ditto, limestone.

Ditto, dog-tooth spar ; face of Sandy Bay Barn.

Serpentine. — Hear The Barn.

Asbestos. — Fibrous white silicate of magnesia from Horse Point,
near Turk’s Cap and Holdfast Tom.

Bock salt.

Argillaceous clay. — Many varieties.

Bich vegetable soil, produced by disintegration offelspathic lavas.

PART III.— ZOOLOGY.

I. VERTEBRATA.

CLASS I. — MAMMALIA.

Homo, Linn.

H. sapiens, Linn. — As is elsewhere stated, there were no human
beings on the Island when it was discovered ; yet in the present day
the term “natives” has, it appears, its significant application there.
The “natives” of St. Helena are rather tall, slight built, good featured
specimens of the human race, with straight hair, good evenly-set
white teeth not prone to decay easily, and pleasing countenances; their
general colour is a very light brown or copper, sometimes deepening
into nearly black, and in other cases becoming almost white. They
speak very fair English as their only language, and are not a little
proud of their local designation of “Yam stalks.” Their ancestors
came from various parts of the world, though chiefly from Europe
and Asia, and there is now some difficulty in tracing the prevailing ele-
ment in their composition, or in saying which predominates, whether
it is Portuguese, Dutch, English, Malay, East Indian, or Chinese.
Their early history was that of slavery through a couple of
centuries, indeed until the year 1832, when they were emancipated
by the East India Company purchasing their freedom for a large
sum; hut, as might he expected, they possessed none of those
qualifications which are absolutely necessary to command success
in settlers. The habits of dependence and indolence, as well as
ignorance, which so long a period of slavery had engrafted, remain
to this day evident, not only in individuals, but pervading the whole
character of the place. The “ Yam stalks” must not be confounded
with the Africans or negroes, as the greatest insult they can hurl at
one another is the epithet of “ nigger ;” they respect and look up to
the Europeans and white population, but consider themselves as occu-
pying a much higher step on the ladder of social position than the
Africans, who certainly had the disadvantage of arriving at the Island

80

ST. SELENA.

just eight years after the “natives” became free men. They are a very
quiet, tractable, inoffensive people, amongst whom crime is small,
murder unknown, and burglary so little thought of that doors and
windows of houses are not secured by bolts and bars, or even locks
and keys ; their greatest vice is drunkenness, and their thieving
does not go beyond mere pilfering of the poultry yard, the orchard,
or the pantry. There is, however, one exception to this, in the
partiality some few of them possess for stealing sheep, though it is
invariably the case of the hungry man meeting the sheep without a
shepherd, and if the sheep were better looked after by their owners
this crime would soon disappear. They are very superstitious, and
still retain some belief in witchcraft. My servant told me on one
occasion that a man’s protracted illness was caused by an enemy
poisoning his tools while he was absent at his meals, and that his
recovery was hopeless until his enemy permitted it ; he further
informed me that some few persons could reveal the image of the
enemy in a bowl of water without mentioning the name, but that
such was an expensive art. As domestic servants, when carefully
and kindly treated, they are excellent, becoming closely attached to
their employers, and exceedingly jealous of whatever belongs to
them, but still they are as indolent as most inhabitants of warm
countries.

The negroes, or pure West Coast Africans, who constitute about
one-sixth of the population, were introduced after the year 1840,
when her Majesty’s Government established at St. Helena a court
of adjudicature for vessels engaged in the slave trade and captured
by British cruisers on the West Coast of Africa. The slaves were
landed at Rupert’s Yalley, where an establishment for taking care of
them was formed, and some thousands of the poor miserable creatures
were there restored to health and strength previous to being sent
on to our West Indian Colonies. Many of them remained at the
Island as domestic servants in the first instance, and, very soon
adopting the English language, the tall black hat, and the green
cotton umbrella, became settlers also. They are a strong race of
men, capable of doing any amount of hard work upon a scanty
supply of food, and are very tractable and well-behaved until their
jealousy is excited or passion roused, when, in a sort of momentary
phrensy, they will commit crime even to murder. With the
“ natives” they do not blend, but live apart in little colonies or set-

MAMMALIA.

81

tlements ; not half a dozen instances of intermarriage have occurred
during thirty years, and the “natives” still consider themselves

superior. ~

The European or White population is chiefly formed of govern-
ment officials, a few clergymen, a small garrison of about 200 men, a
certain number of mariners including shipwrecked seamen, and
CU their descendants, who settled there during the East
India Company’s government, either as merchants, shipping agents,
or farmers of the land.

The total number of the population is 0800, ol which 4844 ■ were
horn on the Island, thus giving 152 persons to each square mile or,
after deducting 20,000 acres of barren, almost useless land, a propor-
tion of nearly one-and-a-half acres of arable and pasture to each person.

Order Rodentia.

Rabbits, rats, and mice alone represent this order at St. Helena ;
the former, or common rabbit {Lepus cuniculus ) is plentiful. In
colour it is grey or black, and inhabits chiefly the grassy commons
round the 'central portion of the Island, where its warrens
abound, but also steals into the gardens of the interior, where it is
most destructive. It is considered as game, and pio ec e y
law during six weeks in April and May of each year. The cost oi a
licence to kill rabbits and partridges during that time is 40*. ; but
rabbits may be destroyed on private land throughout t e re-
mainder of the year without a licence.

Mus, Linn.

M. decumanus, Linn.-Bats abound everywhere from the
water’s edge to the mountain-top, building their nests either m holes
or in high trees, just as rooks and crows do in England, and are
as cunning and destructive as rats in general They have, most
probably, been introduced in ships, and have long been in posses-
Sion. Tn 1604 they were recorded as plentiful, and ■ after destroy-
ing everything else, fell to destroying each other. It might seem
a pity that they relaxed in this occupation, were it not for the
amusement which Mr. O’Meara says they afforded Napoleon. He

• An Exposition .T .on* of th,

Stafafofl^^Uf^Uon Bonaparte,” b, Barr, E. O’Moara, too .urgo.n
to Napoleon, 1819.

82

ST. HELENA.

writes : “ The rats are so numerous at Longwood, and so fearless,
that they often assemble, even in the daytime, in flocks to feed
when the offal of the kitchen is thrown out, and have not unaptly
been compared to broods of young chickens collected about the
parent hen. The floors of Longwood were so perforated with their
holes as to resemble a sieve. Over these the servants had nailed
pieces of tin, to keep them out. Napoleon’s dining-room was
particulai’ly infested with them ; and it is a fact that one of these
noxious animals sprung out of his hat when he was going to put it
on one day after dinner. The devastations committed by them
were almost incredible, and latterly rat-liunting became a favourite
sport at Longwood. The chase was performed in the following
manner : — A little before dark the holes were uncovered, and
entrance afforded to the game. Soon after, five or six of the servants
rushed in, with lights, sticks, and followed by dogs, covered the
holes as fast as possible and attacked the rats, who, when driven to
desperation, made a vigorous defence, assailed the dogs, and some-
times even the men, by running up their legs and biting them.
Sixteen were killed in this manner in less than half an hour in one
of the rooms !”

M. musculus, Linn. — The little brown field mouse has few
enemies in St. Helena. Birds, excepting the domestic fowl, trouble
it not, and dogs and cats very little, so that mice exist everywhere
in considerable numbers, in the bouses as well as in the rocks and
fields. This, with the foregoing species, has been kindly identified
by Mr. Gerrard, of the British Museum.

Order Carnivora.

Felis, Linn.

F. domestica, Linn. — The domestic cat is as plentiful as in
other parts of the world ; it also assumes wild habits, existing
abundantly on the rocky outskirts of the Island in holes and caves,
where, amongst the eggs and young of partridges and other birds,
it commits such havoc that sportsmen never lose an oppor-
tunity of killing it. Cats abound at a place called Cat Hole,
where they live chiefly upon pigeons. There is no record of their
introduction.

Canis, Linn.

C. familiaris, Linn. — The domestic dog, which numbers about

MAMMALIA.

83

250. There may be a couple of fair pointers, a Scotch terrier or
two, and perhaps a sheep-dog of decent breed to he found, but the
rest are the most mongrel curs that exist anywhere. If over-much
education be a reason for dogs going mad, the neglect of it may
account for no single instance of hydrophobia ever occurring at St.
Helena. For the support of the poor of the Island a tax of 1 0*. a
year is levied upon all dogs over three months old.

Order Ungtjlata.

Equus, Linn.

E. caballus, Linn. — Horses, of which about 225 are found at
the Island, appear to have been a modern introduction, for we read
in Yiscount Valentia’s travels that at so recent a period as 1802,

“ The fair daughters of the Governor arrived this morning at the
castle, drawn in a light carriage by oxen, the only animals adapted
to ascend and descend Ladder Hill.” ic It seems almost a pity that
this mode of transport has not been continued, for the steep
roads, with their sharp turns, are far better suited to the sledge
carriages of Madeira than the modern carriage and pair of Hyde
Park, which now conveys His Excellency the Governor’s family up
and down the precipitous hills. Horses are imported from the
Cape of Good Hope and South America, but the former soon
appear delicate, and do not stand either the dampness of the atmo-
sphere or the steep hills, neither are they so suited to the require
ments of the place as the slight, short-legged, firmly-bui t, s an -
bred pony. A horse is a necessity, and not a luxury at bt. Helena ;
all the heavy traffic is carried on by them with carts or drays.
A horse may he stabled and kept well for 55 1 a year, including the
groom’s wages; and a pretty fair stud turns out immediately the
arrival of a mail steamer or passenger ship is announced. The
charge for a ride to Napoleon’s Tomb and Longwood is from 10*. to
12*. 6 d. ; but Jack Tar generally manages to have his money s
worth out of the poor beast by keeping him the whole day. There
is a good race-course, full a mile in length, on Deadwood Plain,
where races are held once a year at Christmas-time. Each horse is
taxed by the Government at from 5*. to 10*. a year, according to

the purpose for which it is kept.

E. asinus, Linn.— Donkeys are far more useful than horses,

* Voyages and Travels to India, &c., in 1802-6 by Viscount Valentia.

G

84

ST. HELENA.

but like many other useful creatures, their value is greatly under-
rated. There are about 400 of them in the Island, and the labouring
man could not get on without his donkey or donkeys, which are
driven up and down the steep roads in packs of twenty or thirty at
a time. Firewood, vegetables, hay, milk, poultry, and all country
produce that is not carried by cart or dray, are conveyed into the
town on their backs, and they fetch out supplies of food, manure,
and other necessaries for the tiller of the soil. It has often struck
me that if the donkeys of St. Helena could express a wish, it would
be for a branch establishment of the Boyal Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals. Poor creatures ! IJp and down those steep roads
they travel with that patience which only donkey-nature knows, often
having to bear an overload independent of the owner striding across
the top of it, while an unfeeling urchin of a boy, with a big stick,
whacks the poor brute up the hill, sometimes bleeding, to its home ;
there it is unloaded, and, with a kick from its owner, sent to browse
upon furze bushes or anything else it can pick up on the nearest
common until next day, when it has, perhaps, to go through a similar
programme. No attempt is made to improve the breed, and the
donkeys of St. Helena are small though hardy animals. Their number
has been of late considerably reduced through their being employed
to carry in lime from Lot’s Wife Ponds and Sandy Bay, so that
their price has risen from 10s. to 21. or 3/. each. They were intro-
duced soon after the discovery of the Island by the Portuguese.
Mules arc not much used in St. Helena, though a few have lately
been imported.

Bos, Linn.

B. taurus, Linn. — Oxen and cattle in number average about
1300, but a larger quantity could be well reared and supported in the
Island, and prevent, to some extent, the large importation that
annually takes place from the Cape of Good Hope. The St. Helena
cow (of which there is no record when it was introduced) is a rather
small well-built animal, adapted to the hilly country which it inhabits.
It gives a scanty supply of milk, which might, without doubt, be in-
creased by better feeding than that to which it is generally accustomed.

Ovis, Linn.

O. aries, Linn. — Sheep run almost wild over the hilly outskirts
of the Island. It has been estimated that there are about 5000,

MAMMALIA.

85

and that many more could be supported. Nevertheless, they
are not mucli cared for or looked after, and large numbers are annually
imported for consumption from the Cape of Good Hope. “ Island
mutton” is exceedingly good, preferable to that imported from the
Cape, and mucli resembles Welsh mutton both in appearance and

flavour.

Hircus, Linn.

H. segagrus, Linn. — Goats are quite wild. It has been estimated
that 1000 or more of them exist. They have been one cause of the
extinction of the indigenous plants, and, although war has been waged
against them, and even their extermination threatened on several occa-
sions, they still remain almost useless and destructive to vegetation.

Sus, Linn.

S. scrofa, Linn. — Few cottages or huts exist without a pig, which,
as in the Irish cabin, takes its place as a member of the family. It
feeds chiefly on acorns and the roots and stems of Guinea yam, Calla
cethiopica, when boiled. It was introduced by the Poituguese
when the Island was discovered, with a view to affording food for
future voyagers, and there are white as well as black, and long as well
as short-nosed pigs.

Order Cetacea.

At St. Helena, the neighbourhood of which affords a good whaling
ground, there are five kinds of cetaceous animals commonly known.
The exciting, and in many instances highly remunerative, occupation
of whaling is, however, exclusively carried on in the South Atlantic
by American vessels, at least sixty or seventy of which call at the
Island every year. They are ships averaging from 80 to 200 tons
burthen, and rendezvous at the Island for refitting, re-provisioning,
and transhipping their oil to those vessels which may be homeward
bound, about the month of October, previous to their cruising south-
ward towards Tristan d’Acunha. The local whaling ground
extends from 30 to 180 miles off the Island, but the vessels are
constantly seen cruising close to the land during that portion of the
year from April to July, and whales have even been taken within a
few miles of the roadstead. Beyond the circulation of money which
these vessels calling at the Island necessarily occasion, the St.
Helenians derive no profit whatever from this source of wealth, which
lies at their verv doors. One or more whaling ships have been ILied

ti

86

ST. HELENA.

out fiorn the Island, but the spirit of enterprise which originated
the expeditions succumbed to the misfortunes which befel each
attempt. The following are the species generally taken by whaling
ships for the oil they afford : —

Bakena, Linn.

B. mysticetus, Linn.— The Common or Humpback Whale. Oc-
casionally, though rarely, one of these huge creatures is cast ashore
dead on the windward side of the Island with several harpoons in its
body, showing plainly how it met its fate. An enormous skeleton
of one long remained on the eastern coast, a single one of whose
vertebrae may now be seen placed in flower gardens to serve for
a seat.

Physeter, Linn.

P. macrocephalus, Linn.— The Spermaceti Whale.

Delpliinus, Linn.

D. sp. ? — One kind only of Dolphin has been observed, but the
male differs somewhat from the female in having a broader head.
Captain Snow, of the American whaler Cape Horn Pigeon, says that
these creatures do exhibit prismatic colours immediately they are
taken on board after capture. They sometimes venture into very
shallow water. Some small boys, when bathing, encountered one
within a few yards of the landing steps, and, laying hold of its tail,
towed it ashore, in spite of its efforts to tow them out to sea. Being
thus successful, they carried their prize round the town in triumph,
and eventually sold him to me for half-a-crown. His ultimate
destination was the British Museum.

Phocsena, Linn.

P. sp. ? — Two kinds of Porpoise may be seen, tumbling head
over heels and indulging in their absurd antics. They yield about
one gallon of oil each, but are taken by whalers more for the sake of
food. They are distinguished as the “ Bight Whale Porpoise” and
the “ Sperm Whale Porpoise.” The latter has a fin on the back ;
the former has none.

OltnER Sirenia.

Manatus, Linn.

M. sp. ?— The manatee, or sea cow, as it was called, which once
frequented the Island, was probably M senegalensis, Desm., which is

AYES.

87

found near the mouths of the West African rivers, or it may
have been M. americanus, Linn., which is found near the mouths of
the Amazon, Orinoco, and other South American rivers. It would
be difficult now to determine, inasmuch as it has ceased to visit the
Island, and the cause for its departure is not known. About half a
century ago one or two were seen on shore at an unfrequented spot
on the S.W. coast called Manatee Bay ; it does not appear that
they were abundant, as their arrival was considered of sufficient
importance to be recorded, and thus we read that the 23th .pn ,
1691, and the 25th September, 1739, were days on which sea cows
were discovered ; on the latter day it was at Old TV oman s a ey ,
as they yielded a good supply of oil they were when seen se om
allowed to escape. As recently as the year 1810, it is recorded tha
one came on shore at Stone Top Valley beach, and was shot by r.
Burnham ; it measured seven feet in length, and ten gallons of oil
were obtained from it. Another was also seen in the same yeai
at Manatee Bay.

CLASS II.— AVES.

Carinaive.

The feathered portion of the St. Helenian fauna can scarcely be
said to be so interesting from a scientific point of view as the rest ;
still it possesses one land and at least eight sea species which are
indigenous; the former, the “Wire-bird” of the Islanders, doubtless
so named because of the similarity between its legs and bits of thin
wire, has been the subject of much confusion, until clearly demon-
strated by Mr. J. E. Harting, in the Bis for July, 1873; and it is
to that gentleman and to the Editor of the Bis that I am so much
indebted for their kind permission to use the plate of this bird
which appeared in that journal. Mr. Harting says : It frequently

happens that a general description of form and colour, intended to
indicate a particular species, applies so well to another for which it
was not intended, that unless measurements are added, or some
marked specific character pointed out, it is impossible to discriminate
the two without reference to the type or types which furnished the
description.

“ A case in point is afforded by the Charadrius pecuarim of lem-
minck. When that eminent ornithologist described and figured (PI.
Col. 1S3) a little plover from the Cape of Good Hope, he doubtless
imagined that his plate would convey to the eyes of his readers what

88

ST. SELENA.

he might have failed to make clear by his text ; but, unfortunately,
t eie are two species to which, in the absence of all measurements,
the description and plate will equally well apply. Not unnaturally
therefore they have been applied by different naturalists to different
birds, some supposing that Temminck intended to refer to the smaller
of the two species, sometimes known as CL KUtlitzi, which is gene-
rally distributed throughout the continent of Africa, and does not
visit St. Helena ; others maintaining that the description and plate
sufficiently indicate the larger bird, which, strange to say, is exclu-
sively confined to that remote Island.

To clear up the difficulty is the object of the present paper ; and,
to plunge in medias res, I will first state the conclusions at which I
have arrived, and then adduce the reasons which have led me to such
conclusions.

“ The bird uPon wllicb Temminck bestowed the specific name
pecuarius is the smaller of the two allied species, which inhabits
Africa generally, hut is not found in St. Helena. An older name
for it is Charadnus varius, Vieillot.

“The St. Helena bird, popularly known in the Island as the
Wire-bird,’ is at present without a scientific appellation; and I
piopose, therefore, to name it jEgialitis sanctce-helence.

“Before I could form any opinion on this subject, it was of
course material that I should examine the type or types of Temminck’s
description. Accordingly I visited the rich museum at Leiden,
where, although a week was too short to admit of my inspecting all
the ornithological treasures, I was enabled to satisfy myself con-
clusively upon this point, which was one of the chief objects of my
visit. J

“ The types were found duly labelled in Temminck’s handwriting
Charadnus pecuarius. They are from the Cape of Good Hope, and
belong undoubtedly to the smaller continental species.

“ Further than this I saw no specimens of the St. Helena bird in
the Museum, and, from the observations made to me at the time by
Professor Schlegel, I feel assured that Temminck was not acquainted
with that species. On carefully faking the measurements of the
specimens which he had labelled, I find that they correspond almost
exactly with those of the figure of CL pecuarius in the ‘Blanche
coloriee,’ 183, which may therefore be said to be of life-size, although
not so characterized in the accompanying letterpress.

M GTALITIS SANCTJE-HELENJE.

AYES.

89

“ On placing tlie two species
appear as follows : —

Bill.

in.

JE. variiis ft. pecuarius . "6 ...

JE. sancta-helence . . '8

in juxtaposition, tlieir relative sizes

Wing.

Bare tibia.

Tarsus.

Mid. toe.

in.

in.

in.

in.

4-0 ..

.. 5 ...

1-2

... 7

4-5 .

.. -7 ...

1-5

... -95

“ Independently of its larger size, longer and more robust bill
and tarsi, the * Wire-bird’ may be distinguished from its continental
ally by the colour of the primaries, in which the shaft of the rs
quill only is white, the other shafts being dusky brown ; m the other
species all the shafts are mesially white.

The seabirds are also interesting, inasmuch as they bear so
great an analogy to those of the Polynesian Islands in the South

Pacific ocean. ,

In the following list several cage-birds have been included,

being those most abundantly kept in the Island, and it being just
possible that, like the Java Sparrow, they may also breed there;
many other West-African birds are taken to the Island and
kept as cage -birds in addition to those mentioned. Not included m
this list is another land-bird, a small Finch, of the size of Crithagra
butyracea or Euplectes madagascariensis , which during the last year
or two has made its appearance in the Island, and been called the
“ Orange bird there is nothing to show how or whence this
bird came thither. It is most probably a mixture of the cardinal
and canary, and has its name from its breast being of the colour of a
ripe orange. It is very scarce.

It is said that two more species also not included in this list exist
in the Island, namely, a larger Ground Dove, and a sea-biid called
the “ Blackbird.” I have not met with either of these, but as a
large species of Noddy does exist at St. Helena I am not quite sure
that the latter may not be found identical with it, though I am
inclined to believe, from the description of it given by fishermen and
others who have seen it, that it may turn out to be a black Tern
different from the Noddy. Strange birds do occasionally visit the
Island, but generally one at a time. In IS 69 a small black swallow
hovered about the rocky cliffs at Ladder Hill for several days, and a
solitary rail, not unlike the Gullinula cristata of Java, was caught at
Lemon Valley. There are other instances also of new species
appearing for a short time. The opinion that such birds naturally

90

ST. HELENA.

and unaided migrate from other lands should he received with much
caution— the nearest mainland being 1200 miles distant, and,
situated right in the heart of the south-east trade winds, is nearly
always to leeward of St. Helena; the Cape of Good Hope is nearly
2000 miles, and the South American Continent just as far away;
and the Island being directly in the track of homeward-bound, and
not very far from that of outward-bound ships, birds may escape
from them and find a resting-place thereon. The following extract
from the local records of a period when there was much less traffic
by sea, would, however, tend to show that, notwithstanding its
isolation, birds have migrated to the Island .- —

“17th October, 1727. There being several birds of a different
species fiom those that frequent the Island lately come hither, the
bodies of which are as large as a pheasant, their leggs long and
black, but their claws opened and not webed like sea-fowle, with
long bills, resembling those of a Snipe, but thicker and longer
in proportion to the bulk of their bodies, which probably may breed
here if not destroyed or disturbed —

“ Ordered, that all persons be publickly forbid by advertizement
either to kill or disturb any of the said birds or destroy any of their
eggs.”

H1 ere being no bird answering to this description now in the
Island, it may be presumed that in spite of this precaution these
visitors did not remain at St. Helena. It is difficult also to account
fully foi the almost total disappearance of some species, which once
were abundant, such as the Frigate-bird, and possibly the entire
disappearance of the Albatross, which does not now come so far
north as St. Helena; though in Seale’s “Geognosy of the Island of
^t. Helena it is stated that innumerable skeletons of it, associated
with those of the Tropic-bird, lie buried from ten to ninety feet
deep in earthy beds near Hold-fast Tom and Sugar Loaf. I have
not found any of these remains, though, in justice to Mr. Seale, I
must add that I have not been able to spend much time in searching
for them.

Many attempts have been made from time to time to introduce
new birds. American mocking, as well as English song birds, have
been imported,* but without success, until three years ago when I

* In 1852, thrushes, blackbirds, larks, and starlings were let loose ; and in 1865-67, through
the kind assistance of Mr. E. L. Layard, I turned loose some Cape pheasants, Er’aneoliims

AYES.

91

took out to the Island a carefully selected lot of English birds, com-
prising twenty-six London sparrows, five green linnets, seven black-
birds, and six thrushes. These were turned loose at Plantation House,
but the sparrows immediately migrated to the houses and more in-
habited parts near the town, where they soon increased in number.
The other birds also were fairly established before I left the Island
in 1871, and the song of the thrush was not uncommon in the
country woods at early morn. Sparrows were introduced with the
hope that they might assist in destroying the white ants, and that
they may render some assistance in this matter seems very probable.

It is with thanks that I have to acknowledge the assistance of
Mr. E. L. Layard, and Mr. R. B. Sharpe, in identifying the following

species : —

Order Passeres.

Fam. Fringillidce.

Estrelda, Sw.

E. astrild, Linn. — Averdevat. II ah. South Africa. One of the
most abundant field-birds in the Islaiid, which may be seen in flights
of a hundred or more at a time, especially in the neighbourhood of
hay-fields as the grass-seed is ripening ; it is by no means a timid
bird, but behaves much like the common English sparrow in
frequenting the doors of country houses to pick up crumbs and the
like. It builds in high trees, generally preferring the Scotch Al-
and Botany-Bay willow (. Acacia longifolia), and consequently suffers
much by high winds blowing the nests down; the nest is spherical
in form, about seven inches in diameter, with an almost closed
tubular entrance on one side, and is generally built of glass an

feathers, lined with cotton and wool.

Averdevats are caught in large numbers, and a small trade
carried on with them between the natives and ships calling at the
Island; they are sold at two or three shillings a dozen, according to

the demand. .

Padda, Reich.

P. oryzivora, Linn.— Java Sparrow. Hah. Java. A tolerably
abundant bird, inhabiting the low rocky lauds on the northern side

clamator, and partridges, F. afer. In 1809 Mr. Andrew Anderson introduced Indian grey
quail, and a year or two before that, Mr. George Moss took a number of larks to the
Island and turned them out at The Briars.

92

ST. HELENA.

of the Island. These birds are frequently seen hopping about in
pairs, and also in flights in the interior when the corn is ripening.
It is not many years since they were introduced, and they appear to
thrive well and to be increasing in numbers.

Yidua, Cuv.

V. paradisea, Linn. — Widow Bird. Ilab. West Africa. Im-
ported as a cage-bird from the West Coast of Africa.

Euplectes, Sw.

E. madagascariensis, Linn. — Cardinal. Hah. Madagascar,

Mauritius. A common field-bird, where it may be seen associating
with Critliayra butyracea, and in all probability breeds with it. It
is not plentiful, but may be seen occasionally in flights of a hundred
or more when the corn is being reaped. It is caught by the natives
and sold to passengers on board ship. It changes its plumage
regularly from red to brown every year. This bird has a habit of
frequenting those parts of the Island where the common flag
(. Antlolyza cethiopica) grows ; it will sit perched on the long flower-
stalk enjoying the honey, sucking it through an aperture which it
bites at the bottom of each long tubular flower.

Critliagra, Sw.

C. canaria, Linn. — True Canary. Hab. Canary Islands. Bred
in cages ; and recently a few of this species have been seen in a wild
state near The Briars.

C. butyracea, Linn.— Canary. Ilab. South Africa. Next to
the averdevat, the most abundant field-bird in the Island, and it is
to be regretted that its numbers are diminishing, very probably
owing to the trade in birds carried on between the natives and
shipping. The note of this bird is less shrill and much sweeter
than that of the real canary ; perched on the branch of a tree, it
will on a summer’s morning sing unceasingly for hours. It
associates with the cardinal and averdevat, and is particularly
fond of fruit, especially ripe peaches.

I am. Siurnidte.

Gracula, Linn.

G. religiosa, Linn. — Mynah. Hab. India. This bird was

introduced in the year 1829, and has not multiplied to any extent ;

AVES.

93

It is still to be found inhabiting the Peepul trees ( Ficus terebrata)
in Jamestown, but is rare.

Order Prehensores.

Fawi. Psittacida.

Psittacula, Cuv.

P. pullaria, Linn.— Love-bird. Hab. West Africa. As a cage-

bird. .

Psittacus, Linn.

P. erithacus, Linn. — Grey Parrot. Hab. West Africa. Largely
imported from the West Coast of Africa, and becomes domesticated,
but does not breed in the Island.

Palseornis, Vigors.

P. docilis, Vieill. — Green Parrakeet. Hab. West Africa. Kept

as a cage-bird. _

Melopsittacus, Gould.

M. xmdulatus, Shaw.— Shell Parrot. Hab. Australia. Kept
as a cage-bird.

6 Cacatua, Wagl.

C. sulphurea, Gm. — Lesser Yellow-crested Cockatoo. Hab.
Moluccas. A few kept as pet birds.

Lorius, Vigors.

L. domicella, Vigors.— Crimson Lory. Hab. New Guinea?
Kept as a cage-bird.

Order Columb^e.

Pam. Columbida.

Columba, Linn.

C livia, Linn.— Kock Love. Hab. Europe. Abundant in the
Island; existing both in a wild and a domestic state. Wild
Pigeons frequent chiefly a place called the Water I all, a perpen-
dicular cliff about BOO feet in height, situated inland about two
miles and a half from the sea, and take their daily flight to the
cornfields of Longwood or Broadbottom for food.

Geopelia, Sw.

G. tranquilla, Gould. — Ground Dove. Hab. New South
Wales. Abundant all over the Island. Generally to be seen in

94

ST. HELENA.

pairs, inhabiting both the tall firs and other trees on the highest
land, as well as the rocky plains lower down.

Order Galling.

Fean. Phasianidce.

? Caeca bis, Kaup.

? C. chukar, J. E. Gray. — Partridge. Hah. Northern India.
The existence of this partridge in St. Helena is mentioned in
Cavendish’s “ Travels” as early as the year 1588, where it is
stated : — “ There are also upon this Island a great store of par-
tridges, which are very tame, not making any great haste to fly
away, though one come very near them, hut only run away and get
up into the cliffs. They differ very much from our partridges which
are in England, both in bigness and also in colour.” Like the
pheasant, this bird is protected by game-laws, and only allowed to
be shot during three months of the year. It abounds on the rocky
outskirts of the Island, and only comes inland to feed in the corn-
fields. Partridge-shooting in St. Helena is very fatiguing work,
the ground to be gone over being very rough and precipitous ; and
it is quite necessary to have two parties, one at the bottom of the
valley and one at the top of the enclosing hills, in order to be sure
of any sport at all. The birds being also very wild, and the coast
very rugged, it is exceedingly difficult to get at them. They gene-
rally make their nests in the ledges of rock and in the samphire-
bushes ( Salsola salsa ) on the open barren plains. Cats are their
great enemies, and destroy both eggs and young. Although there
appears to be no record to show whence the partridge was intro-
duced to St. Helena, it is most probably the chukar-partridge of
Northern India ; and as it differs somewhat in plumage, possibly
change of climate or food may have produced the variation. A
closer examination of the bird, however, is desirable.

Phasianus, Linn.

P. torquatus, Gm. — Eing-necked Pheasant. Hah. China. Caven-
dish mentions pheasants being found in St. Helena as early as
1588, in the following words: — “There are likewise no less plenty
of pheasants in the Island, which are also very big and fat.” They
still exist abundantly, inhabiting the interior of the Island, and

A VliS.

95

quite maintain the characteristics mentioned by Cavendish. They
are protected by game-laws, which permit them to be killed, on pay-
ment of the licence, for six weeks in the summer or autumn of each
year: and hundreds of them are generally killed during one shooting
season. They find plenty of covert, and generally make their nests
in the long tufty fields of cow-grass ( Paspalum scrobiculatum ). There
is much fear of these beautiful birds being exterminated through
poaching, which of late years has become common.

Callus, Temm.

G. bankiva, Temm. — Common Fowl. Ilab. India. Reared abun-
dantly in the Island ; and on the high lands exists in a state almost
as wild as pheasants. The Spanish, large black-and-white Malabar,
and other breeds are kept.

Pavo, Linn.

P. cristatus, Linn. — Pea-Powl. TIab. India. None now remain
in the Island ; but I include it here because it once existed in a wild
state. It is said that pea-fowl inhabited the high lands and ridges,
under cover chiefly of the indigenous plants ; but the farmers found
them so destructive to their gardens, that they took every opportunity
of killing them ; consequently, about half a century ago they were
exterminated.

Meleagris, Linn.

M. gallopavo, Linn. — Turkey. Ilab. Mexico. The existence of
the Turkey in St. Helena dates back as far as 1588.^ Cavendish
says, “ We found, moreover, in this Island, plenty of Guinea-cocks,
which we call Turkeys.”

Numida, Linn.

N. meleagris, Linn.— Guinea Fowl. Hah. West Africa. Partly
domesticated and partly wild, having recently been much encouraged
in the Island, where it inhabits the high land.

Order Orally.

Fam. Charadriidce.

jEgialitis, Boie.

* TP, sanctse -helenae, Harting. — Charadrius pecuarius, Layard,
Ibis, 1867, p. 251; Birds S. Africa, p. 297, 1867; Newton,
Ibis, 1867, p. 251, note; Baker, Zoologist, 1868, p. 1475 ; Melliss,
Ibis, 1870, p. 104 ; Harting, Ibis, 1873, p. 260. The “ Wire Bird”

96

ST. HELENA.

is a true native of the Island. It chiefly frequents the outskirts,
and is generally to be seen running about on the hot stony plains
more or less covered with wire-grass ( Cynodon dactylon). It feeds upon
beetles and a small snail (Succinea sp.?) found adhering to and
hiding under the rocks and stones with which the ground is partly
coveted. It is rarely, but occasionally, seen inland, sometimes
in pairs, sometimes in flocks of five or six. It lays, in the
summer months of December and January, two eggs, in colour
grey with black markings. It is stated, upon the pretty good
authority of several persons long resident in the Island, that
this biid makes no nest, but lays its eggs in dry cow-dung on the
exposed open ground ; it slightly covers them over, but does not sit
upon them,* merely returning occasionally to see that they are
safe, and to take care of the young birds as soon as they are hatched.
The colour of the eggs so much resembles the material in which
they are laid and the dry wire grass, that it is difficult to distinguish
them without careful search. After heavy rain the Wire Bird may
be seen frequenting and running along the edges of the pools of
water ; but generally it finds few ponds now in the Island to indulge
its wading propensities ; this deprivation does not appear, however,
to interfere with its happiness, for it is very doubtful if it ever leaves
the Island.

Order Anseres.

Fam. Anatidce.

Anser, Briss.

A. ferus, Linn.— Domestic Goose. Hab. Europe. Beared in the
Island.

Annas, Linn.

A. boschas, Linn. — Domestic Duck. Hab. Europe. Beared abun-
dantly in the Island.

Cairina, Elem.

C. moschatas, Linn.— Muscovy Duck. Hab. South America.
A few have been imported into the Island.

Procellaria, Linn.

*P. glacialoides, A. Smith.— Bight-whale-bird. Two were

* Mr. Harting considers that this must he a mistake, and that the bird only covers its esss
to hide them in its absence, as is the case with Gallinula ckloropus, Podieeps minor and
other species. *

AVES.

97

caught with an ordinary fishing-hook and line, in October, 1868, off
Speery Island ; but it is rare.

Fam. Felecanidce.

Thalassidroma ?, Sw.

,KT. melanogaster ? — Mother Carey’s Chicken. A small species
of petrel frequenting the sea around the Island, but not very abun-
dant ; lays in November.

SulaP, Briss.

*S. sp. ? — Booby. This bird is seldom found on the Island,
but frequents the neighbourhood. It is often seen from shipboard
hear the land, but I have not had an opportunity of examining
a specimen.

Tachypetes, Y.

T* aquilus, Binn. — Man-of-war-bird. Although there is a

part of the south-west coast designated “Man-of-war Boost,” deriv-
ing its name from this bird, and there is still living evidence of
its having once frequented even the landing- steps at Jamestown,
A is seldom now to be met with, nor is it easy to assign a reason
tor its disappearance from the Island.

Phaeton, Linn.

P. aethereus, Linn. — Tropic-bird. Very abundant on the

southern and eastern, or windward coasts of the Island, which, being
furthest away from the haunts of man and also more precipitous
than other parts, are well adapted to the bird’s peculiar habit of
dropping itself down from a ledge in order to enable it to rise on
the wing, a feat which it is unable to accomplish when sitting on
tbe ground. It inhabits holes in the perpendicular face of the
cliffs, from one to two thousand feet above the sea, and goes out
regularly in the early morning to fish for food, returning homewards
about three or four o’clock in the afternoon. At this time of the
day Tropic-birds are easily shot; and it is to be regretted that
ese beautiful and peaceful creatures suffer so much persecution as
bey do for the sake of the plumes they afford for ladies’ hats,
lopic-bird-shooting at St. Helena is accomplished by taking up a
1 sitiou on the ledges above their holes and nests, while- a boy is

98

ST. HELENA.

sent down into the valley or ravine below to pick np the birds as they
fall. Cats are great enemies to these birds, as well as to the game-
birds in the Island, by preying on the young.

Fam. Larida.

Sterna, Linn.

*S. fuliginosa, Gmel. — Egg-bird. Not very abundant, but

inhabits George’s and Speery Islands, with other rocky islets oft' the
coast, in considerable numbers. Egg-birds do not remain all the year
at St. Helena, and probably migrate to Ascension, nearly seven
hundred miles distant, where they are to be found in tens of
thousands, and are so tame and plentiful at a spot called “ Wide-
awake-Fair” that they may be knocked down by hundreds with a
walking-stick. They are there protected for the sake of the eggs, which
form an article of food with the inhabitants. They arrive in St. Helena
at the end of the year, and lay in January, February, and March.
Much risk of life is run in obtaining the eggs, which are brought to
the market, and by some persons are considered a delicacy equal to
plovers’. These birds seldom, if ever, come near the inhabited parts
of the Island.

Gygis, Wagl.

*G. Candida, Wagl. — White-bird. One of the most abundant
sea-birds in the Island, in numbers perhaps next to the Noddy. It
associates intimately with the Tropic-bird, but comes more inland,
building its nest in rocky cliffs and columnar basaltic dikes, such as
Lot, Lot’s Wife, and others situated several miles from the sea-coast ;
occasionally it is seen flying high over the central part of the Island.
Its curiosity is very remarkable ; it is easily attracted by a white
object, and will come within a foot or two, often in a disagreeable
manner, peering into the face of a person wearing a white hat or
some white article of clothing.

Anous, Leach.

*A. stolidus, Linn.— Noddy-Tern. A less shy and retiring

species than the other sea-birds, generally frequenting the roadstead,
where, in the neighbourhood of ships at anchor, it may be seen
sitting on the surface of the water or on boats. It inhabits prin-
cipally the cliffs of the islets, such as Egg Island, where it breeds in

PEP TELIA.

99

swarms. It does not appear to associate with either the Tropic or
the White-bird, but is one of the most abundant species at St.
Helena.

CLASS III.— REPTILIA.

Order Lacertilia.

Hemidactylus, Cuv.

H. frenatus, Schleg. — A small brown harmless lizard, about four
belies in length, which lives under stones and old timber in the warm
lower parts of the Island. It seldom enters houses unless in pursuit
°f flies or scorpions, but is plentiful about the neighbourhood of
Jamestown, where in the evening its loud chirp is frequently heard.

Order Chelonia.

Chelonia, Flem.

'C. viridis ?, Schn. — Turtle are taken at St. Helena, generally on
the surface of the water, near the leeward coast ; about six or eight of
a very large size are caught and brought to market during the year.

Caretta, Merrem.

*C. imbricata, Schweig. — The Hawk’s-bill Turtle, which is of so
much value on account of the tortoiseshell of commerce being
obtained from it, is occasionally caught on the leeward coast, but it
ls rare- It is a native both of American and Asiatic Seas.

Testudo, Linn.

T. indiea,? Grm. — Two of these very large tortoises have, it is
said, for no one knows when they were introduced, lived at Planta-
tion for a century or more. They are remarkably strong, easily
carrying a man and walking with him a considerable distance.
Unwieldy and ugly as they are, they appear to enjoy their uninterest
lng life in travelling about the garden and grounds, but always
return to their hole in the earth, under cover of a tuft of thick long1
®lass on the lawn. They have not bred in the Island.

Occasionally a small imported species of Tortoise is seen in the
stand, but they do not appear to live long.

Ihere being no snakes or alligators, the other orders of this class
are unrepresented at St. Helena.

h 2

100

ST. SELENA.

CLASS IV.— AMPHIBIA.

Nil.

CLASS V.— PISCES.

There are no less than seventy-five different kinds of fishes at
St. Helena, but they are all marine. Although there are brooks and
running streams which fish might inhabit, there is no record of
the East India Company, or any one since their time, having en-
deavoured to introduce fresh-water fishes, and the only importation
in this respect is characterized by the little gold fish Cyprinus auratus,
which was doubtless taken to the Island from China, aud is still
met with occasionally in garden ponds, as well as in glass globes on
sitting-room tables.

A collection of the St. Helena fishes bad never been made until I
presented mine to the British Museum ; and fortunately it fell into the
hands of Dr. Albert Gunther, who, with his well-known ability and
care, examined and described sixty -five,* including one new genus and
sixteen species which had hitherto been unknown to science. These
seventeen may therefore be considered as quite peculiar to the place,
and to them it seems to me admissible to add, as natives, thirty-one
more, which, though found elsewhere, are so closely identified with the
Island, through inhabiting the rocky shores in shallow water, as to
merit a distinction from some twenty others which are inhabi-
tants of deeper water and are common to tropical and Atlantic seas.

Nine species of the St. Helena fishes are found also in the West
Indies ; and others, amongst those in my collection, have also been
taken as far off as Pondicherry, Japan, Australia, Panama, Zanzibar,
Madeira, and the Mediterranean.

So far, the examination of the fish fauna of the Island has pro-
gressed, but there are doubtless many hidden treasures still in those
waters surrounding it to repay the future naturalist who undertakes
to search for them. Seven more, which were not in my collection,
are known to exist — viz., two varieties of the albicore, the baracoota
(which, with mackerel and the former, constitutes the chief food of
the population), the bream, the Eoman-fish, the bread-fish, and the

* Proceedings of Zoological Society of London, March 26, 1S68, and April 8, 18C9 ; also
Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum, hy Dr. Albert Gunther, vol. viii.

PISCES.

101

c<xl. These last four are now rarely seen, simply, I believe, through
the indolence of the fishermen.

But with all this bountiful supply of good fish, the visitor to
St. Helena cannot fail to be astonished at the indifference with
which it is regarded. The fisherman there has no storms or angry
seas to battle with, but still there is no system of fishing, and there
is no fishing trade. Beyond a very partial and scanty contribution
t° the supply of food for the six or seven thousand inhabitants, no
use is made of the fish or profit derived from it.

In the Monthly Register of the year 1810, it is recorded, and
the authority is reliable, that in the month of October, 3618 pounds
°f mackerel, 11,453 pounds of albicore, and 528 pounds of ground
thh, that is the best table fish, were taken and brought into the
market ; so that, during one month, the fishing at St. Helena
yielded neaily seven tons of fish, not only good for food, but of the
finest quality. It is not very probable that the fishes, weary
°f tue neglect to catch them, through succeeding years, or missing
the good cheer of the Honourable East India Company, have packed
UP their traps and gone elsewhere ; but on the contrary, having
hnd everything their own way for half a century, it is most pro-
bable that there are more fishes in the sea at St. Helena now than
there were in the year 1810. The simple fact is that, in 1874, no
fishery exists, and that if it did, and the fishes were properly sought
t°0 a greater abundance than the yield of 1810 woidd be the result.

I his would not only materially assist the distressed population of
the place, by affording a supply for home consumption, but also a very
profitable article of export in the form of salted, dried, and other-
wise cured fish.

With means, lying at their very door, which in other countries
Would be and are turned to profitable account, the natives of St.
-Helena are curiously regardless of it. The very fish of which upwards
01 1 1,000 pounds were taken at St. Helena in one month, is the same
as the Tunny fish, which, in the Mediterranean and along the southern
coasts of France, is the source of so large a trade.

Ihe small desultory amount of fishing which is now carried on
at St. Helena is with the hook and line only, either from the shore
°i from small rowing boats which venture only some short distance
mit to sea. Most of the natives fish for themselves ; they run
own to the sea shore, or the “fishing-rock” as they term it, spend a
uight there and bring back enough fish for a few days’ food, and if

102

ST. HELENA.

they cannot go they send the wife or child to perform a similar
errand. Those men who prefer exclusively to follow the noble
calling of fishermen number about eighty or ninety, but they area
class who through years past have lived away from civilization ; their
wives and children occupying small miserable huts, or nearly inac-
cessible caves along the rocky shores, where they are altogether
far removed, partly through their occupation and partly through
their long-acquired habits of indolence and demoralization, from any
beneficial influences. The men themselves, although there are some
few exceptions, are for the most part satisfied to bring in just suffi-
cient fish as will afford food and obtain a supply of Cape wine
for a few days, when, after indulging in excess in the latter, and
recovering from their half-stupefied state, they proceed out again for
the same purpose.

With the present materials it would be almost impossible to accom-
plish anything to improve the fishery at St. Helena. It needs, however,
but a small amount of capital, with suitable boats and tackle, and
good steady fishermen with European energy, to make it successful; so
great a prejudice exists, however, through the indolence of the present
fishermen, that I doubt if any resident would undertake its manage-
ment ; and until it is done by the Government, it is scarcely likely
that a St. Helena fishery can become a source of profit by yielding
an article of commerce.

There are cod-banks close to the Island,* and in the year 1810,
it is recorded that codfish of lbs. weight were caught in 1 1 1
fathoms, off Lemon Valley. Such fish are never seen now, neither
are the boats or men capable of going out to seek for them.

Order Acanthoptf.rygh.

Fam . Percidce.

Centropristis, Cuv.

*C. brasiliensis, Baraev. — The Deep-water Brown Mullet,

* The banks that have already been discovered are four in number, as follows : — New
Ledge, aboue six miles S.S.W. of the Island, with soundings of 25 to 45 fathoms and a bottom
of rock and sand. Speery Ledge, about 4 miles nearer to the shore than the last, in 3 J- or 4
fathoms water. Barn Ledge, about 2 miles off Prosperous Bay, in soundings of 4 to 16
fathoms; and Goodwin’s Ledge, in soundings of 60 to SO fathoms, about 3 miles distant from
the shore on the leeward side of the Island. The first three positions are to windward, and
the weather often boisterous, so that the small fishing-boats now in use cannot remain long
near them in safety and consequently they are unfrequented.

Plate 19.

Jc.icaiiss.atB

1 uexphihus' sp°... -p.se.

2 S;£KRAHUS IMPETIBINOSUS p 103.

s phiacabthu s spa... p.ios.

. E.W.Robinson.JiiL

4 CBAETODOU ■ SAHCXffi HELElLffi. p, 104

5 S ARGUS CAPENSIS. p.m

6 SCORPiEUA KELLISSn __ p.7 04-

L!Reeve &. C°. Landari.

I

’

>

►

discus.

103

which has also been taken in the West Indies, may be caught
throughout the year, and is good for eating.

Holanthias, Gthr.

*H. fronticinctus, Gtln*.— Although this fish is of a bright
yellow colour, it is somewhat remarkable that it goes by the local
name of Deepwater Green-fish. It is fair eating, and peculiar to
the Island. A figure of it is given in the Proceedings of the
■Zoological Society for March 20, ISOS, p. 22S,

Serranus, Cuv.

'*S, impetiginosus, Mull. & Trosch.— The St. Helena Jack is
ikewise a native of the West Indies, and may be caught at any
time in very shallow water along the rocky shore, where it inhabits
i o es to protect it from sharks and other enemies. It is an extremely
b nod table fish, but so delicate that in hot weather it will scarcely
<eep fresh for twenty-four hours. It is one of the most abundant
nsh in the Island market.

Ehypticus, Cuv.

saponaeeus, Bl. Schn. — The Lathercoat of St. Helena, so
railed from the lather that it produces when rubbed in the hands
We a piece of soap. It inhabits the rocky shore in shallow water,
~mt is not taken for food. It is also found at the Cape of Good
-*f°pe, the West Indies, and Cape Verde Islands.

Pri acanthus, C. & V.

*3?. boops, Forst. — The Deep-water Bull’s-eye, a large and
excellent table fish, taken in 100 fathoms water generally all the
year through. It is quite peculiar to the locality.

***• sp. ? — The Bull’s-eye inhabits the shallow water along the
rocky coast, and in the summer months of December to March is
!ehV plentiful. It is an exceedingly good fish for food. Bull’s-eye
fishing by moonlight is a favourite sport — perhaps not lessened by
ffie anticipation of fried bull’s-eyes for breakfast. It is quite
peculiar to the Island, and differs from the other species by being-
half the size.

Apogon, Lacep.

*A. axillaris, Val. — The Bed Mullet of St. Helena is also

104

ST. HELENA.

found at the neighbouring Island of Ascension. It is a deep-sea
fish, generally taken through the year, and is good for food.

Pomatomus, Risso.

*P. telescopium, Risso. — The Black Mullet is also obtained in
the Mediterranean and neighbouring parts of the Atlantic. It is
rare at St. Helena, but is caught throughout the year in shallow
water on the coast, and used for food.

Fam. Squamipinnes.

Chaitodon, Art.

*C. sanctse helense, Gthr. — The Cunning-fish is quite peculiar
to St. Helena, and is one of the most beautiful little creatures ever
seen. All the year round it inhabits the shallow water on the coast,
and is so tame that amongst the boats at the landing-steps it may
be seen through the clear water, its pearly hue, mounted by bright
yellow fins, making it a most conspicuous and pretty object.

*C. dichrous, Gthr. — The Bastard Cunning-fish is a very
similar species, but marked across the body with dark bands. It is
peculiar to St. Helena, but comparatively rare. A figure of it is given
in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for April, 1669, p. 233.

Fam. Sparidte.

Sargus, Klein.

#S. capensis, Smith. — The Old Wife of St. Helena, found also at
the Cape of Good Hope and Ascension Island, is abundant through-
out the year, and is an excellent table fish. It inhabits the shallow
water round the coasts in large numbers.

Cirrhitichthys, Blkr.

*C. fasciatus, C. & Y. — The Granny Fish, also obtained at
Pondicherry, is not at St. Helena taken for food, it being of in-
significant size.

Fam. Scorpaniaa.

Scorpsena, Art.

*S. mellissii, Gthr.— Quite peculiar to St. Helena, where it is
called Sand or Deepwater Gurnard. It is not considered good for

PISCES.

105

food, but is eaten by some of the natives who are able to overcome
the prejudice against its extreme ugliness.

*S. scroflna, 0. & Y. — The Mail or Bock Gurnard is also found
in Brazil. At St. Helena, it inhabits the shallow water around the
coast, and may be taken throughout the year, but is not much
esteemed as food.

Sebastes, C. & Y.

*S. nigropunctatus, Gthr. — This splendid fish, the Deep-water
Jack, peculiar to St. Helena, is excellent as food. It is caught
throughout the year in 80 to 100 fathoms of water, and generally
found to be dead when brought to the surface, being killed by
hauling it ujd through so great a depth.

Fam. Berycida;.

Myripristis, Cuv.

*M. jacobus, C. & Y. — Bastard Soldier, not very abundant at
St. Helena, also found at the West Indies and Brazil.

Holocentrum, Art.

*H. longipinne, C. & V.- — The Soldier of St. Helena, also found
in the West Indies, is taken along the shore in shallow water during
the summer months. It is one of the best table fish.

Polymixia, Lowe.

P. nobilis, Lowe. — The Beard-fish is also found at Madeira; it
inhabits deep water, and is rarely taken at St. Helena.

Fam. Xiphiidce.

Xiphias, Art.

X. gladius, ? Linn. — The Sword-fish, which occurs also in the
Mediterranean and the Atlantic Seas, is sometimes taken from deep
water off St. Helena.

Fam. Acronuridce.

Acanthurus, Schn.

A. chirurgus, Bl. — The Trooper of St. Helena. A fine fish,
but rarely taken, though it inhabits shallow water near the shore.
If is also found on the Atlantic coasts of tropical America and
Africa.

106

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Car any idee.

Caranx, Cuv.

C. crumenophth almus, Bl— Peculiar also to tropical seas and
called Horse Mackerel at St. Helena, where it is not very abundant
but is taken for food.

C. dentex, Bl. Selin.— This fish, of wide range from the Mediter-
ranean to the coast of Brazil, is at St. Helena known as the Cavalley,
and is one of the best table fish, being indeed the salmon of St.
Helena. It is taken in considerable numbers chiefly during the
summer months around the coast in not very deep water; it varies
in length from 9 inches up to 2 or 3 feet.

*C. hippos, Linn— The Coal-fisli of St. Helena, also a native of
tropical seas, is more scarce than the Cavalley, and is esteemed a finer
table fish. Tt is rare, perhaps not more than one or two being taken
in the year, and is considered a delicacy in consequence, though
really differing little in flavour from the last species. It inhabits the
shallow water close to the shore.

* mUr0adsi’ Schleg— In its full grown state the Kingston, in
its smaller state the Stonebrass, of St. Helena, also found at Japan,
t is generally taken in the summer months after Christmas in
shallow water near the shore. It is not so abundant as ’the
mackerel, but is associated with it in the market.

Seriola, Cuv.

S. lalandii, C. & Y— The Yellow Tail of St. Helena is obtained
also m the Atlantic, at Japan and Australia; it inhabits shallow
water near the shore, is less rare than the Coal-fish, but not so
abundant as the Cavalley. It is taken of various sizes, from
1 0 inches to 3 feet in length, and forms one of the best table fish.

Lichia, Cuv.

*L. glauea, Linn.— This pretty little fish, when first taken from
the water, resembles a piece of polished silver, hence its name of

1 ' ls ^ *‘s very abundant in shallow water round the rocky
coast, and is a very good table fish. It is also found at the neigh-
bouring island of Ascension, in the Mediterranean, and in the
Atlantic generally.

Fam. Scomlridce.

A rochei, Risso.-

Auxis, C. & Y.
-Mackerel Bonita.

A deep-water fish ; very

Plate 20

o s

?>5(VW

J. C.Mclliss, ddl.

1 SEBASTES EUGROPUNCTATUS-.p. 105

2 HOBO CENTRUM LONG1PINNE p.105

3 SERI ORA. LALANBII p. 106

£.V. Robinson, iith

4 IjICHIA GLAUCA p. 106 .

5 SCOMBER COLIAS p. 107 .

6 SALARIAS ATIANTICUS . p. 108.

I

L.feeve &. C?, Lcadm.

y

PISCPS.

107

abundant. It forms a considerable portion of the poor man’s food,
and is a fish common to tropical seas.

Scomber, Art.

*S. colias, Gm. — This species of Mackerel is peculiar to the
North Atlantic, where almost any quantity may be taken from
shallow or deep water throughout the year, though sometimes it
is more plentiful than at others. It is excellent eating, being quite
as fine as the English mackerel, and forms one of the chief articles of
food with the natives of St. Helena.

Thynnus, C. & V.

T. thynnus ?, Linn. — There are three varieties of albicore, called
respectively the Long Fin, the Bastard, and the Coffrey, which con-
stitute one of the chief articles of food with the residents. It is the
same as the Tunny-fish of the Mediterranean. At St. Helena it
inhabits deep water, and is taken by means of hook and line through-
out the year, many of them being as large as 3 or 4 cwt. in weight.
It is in the winter months that they are most plentiful. It is
well known in that part of the world as “ St. Helena beef,” and
I have known people to praise the excellence of “ the veal
cutlets” after having partaken of fried albicore ! It is curiously
sold in the market at so much per cut, three or four pence suffic-
ing to secure a cut or slice weighing several pounds. There are
various ways of cooking and making it very palatable, and for a
curry there is no better substitute.

Eclieneis, Art.

E. naucrates, Linn. — The Sucking-fish, peculiar to the tropics, is
sometimes taken at St. Helena, adhering to sharks, sun-fish, and other
deep-water creatures, but is not used for food.

Fam. Frichiuridce.

Thyrsites, C. & Y.

T. prometheus, C.& V. — Also a Madeira fish, and at St. Helena
called the Night Serpent. Fishermen speak of two kinds of serpent-
fish, that which they catch at night being black, and that during the
day brown in colour. They are not eaten.

Fam . Pediculati.

Antennarius, Commers.

A. pinniceps, C. & V. — A small fish, striped with brown like a

108

ST. HELENA.

tiger, common to tropical seas, but apparently without a local name
at St. Helena.

*A. multiocellatus, var. Gthr. — A small species of a reddish hue,
very like the other ; rare at St. Helena ; also found in the Caribbean
Sea.

Fain. Blenniidce.

Salarias, Cuv.

*S. atlanticus, C. & V. — This curious little black creature may
be seen in the pools on the rocky seacoast, darting about rapidly like
a flash of lightning. It is in consequence most difficult to capture,
and has earned for itself the name of Devil-fish.

Tam. Fistulariidce.

Aulostoma, Lacep.

* A. coloratum, Mull. & Trosch.— The Trumpet-fish ; long, thin
creatures, quite useless for food, but, nevertheless, pretty, inasmuch
as they occur in a variety of colours, such as brown, black, red,
yellow, and variegated ; also found in the West Indies.

Order Acanthopteryghii Pharyngognathi.

Tam. Pomacentridce.

Pomacentrus, Lacep.

*P. leucostictus, Mull. & Trosch. — The Bastard Cavalley Pilot
of St. Helena; also found in the West Indies. A small fish not
taken for food.

Glyphidodon, Lacep.

*G. saxatilis, Linn. — The most delicate little fish that is eaten at
St. Helena, where it is named, from the bands across its body, Five
Finger. It exists in considerable numbers in ponds along the
rugged coast, and is generally considered to be in season during the
months of June and July; also found in the West Indies.

Heliastes, Cuv.

*H. insolatus, C. & V.— The Bastard Five Finger of St. Helena
is a small fish, not very common or frequently taken. It also occurs
at the West Indies and on the coast of Peru.

*H. marginatus, Castel. — A small fish called the Cavalley
Pilot, found also on the coasts of Brazil and California.

PISCES.

109

Fam. Labrida.

Cossyphus, C. & Y.

*C. pectoralis, Gill. — The Parrot-fish of St. Helena inhabits
the rocky sea coast in shallow water. It is not used for food.
It also occurs on the Pacific coasts of Central America ( ?) and at the
West Indies.

Novacula, C. & Y.

*N. sanctse helenae, Gthr. — Although the colour of this fish is
light purple, it is curiously and commonly called at St. Helena, where
it is quite peculiar, the Sand or Deep-water Green-fisli.

Julis, C. & Y.

*J. sanctse helenee, C. & Y. — The Green-fish of St. Helena
is quite peculiar, and, in the shallowest water round the coast, exists
in great numbers throughout the year, though most abundant in
summer. It is a most beautifully coloured fish, and esteemed as
good eating, but most annoying through its greedy propensity of
seizing on a bait directly it is thrown into the water.

Scarus, Blkr.

*S. strigatus, Gthr. — The Rock-fisli of St. Helena is peculiar
to the spot, and inhabits the shallow water around the rocky coast.
Its colours are most brilliant, and as variable as they are beautiful,
but it is not used for food.

Order Anacanthini.

Fam. Gadidce.

Physiculus, Kaup.

*P. dalwigkii, Kaup. — The Skulpin of St. Helena is also found
at Madeira. It is a deep-water fish, taken at a depth of 80 or 100
fathoms at any time throughout the year, but is not generally used
for food.

Fam. Pleuronectidee.

Rhomboidichthys, Blkr.

AC sp.? — The Flounder is a small, unimportant species, although
peculiar to the Island. It is taken close to the shore in shallow
water.

110

ST. HELENA.

Order Physostomi.

Fam. Scop elides.

Saurus, C. & V.

*S. atlanticus, Johnson. — The Eock-spear of St. Helena; found
also at Madeira and Zanzibar.

S. myops, Forst. — The Sand-spear of the Island is common to
tropical seas. Both of these species are good as food, but not very
abundant, and are too bony to be popular, excepting with the laboui-
ing people.

Fam. Scombresocida .

Exocsetus, Art.

E. cyanopterus, C. & V. — This species of Flying-fish is a large
one, generally measuring eighteen inches in length, and therefore
probably a more acceptable morsel to its pursuer the porpoise,
which chases it until it flies ashore and falls powerless on to the
stony beach. It is also found at Brazil.

Belone, Cuv.

*B. lovii, Gthr. — Pike-fish ; inhabits the shallow water close to
the rocky shore; also found at Cape Verde Islands.

Fam. Mur amides.

Conger, Cuv.

C. vulgaris, Cuv. var. Nigra. — The Common Conger Eel, which
is found in the seas of Europe, South America, East Indian Archi-
pelago, Japan, and Tasmania, also takes its place in considerable
numbers at St. Helena ; where it attains a large size, and often when
caught and brought into a boat is a formidable antagonist, requiring
a considerable thumping and pounding about the head before it is
conquered. It is generally taken in about 100 fathoms of water,
and is rather popular as food.

Congromursena, Kaup.

*C. mellissii, Gthr. — The Silver Eel is not very abundant, but
is esteemed as food. It is peculiar to the Island.

Bate 21.

J- C.Meliss M ^ ' S.-W.Kolsmsan,M.

1 ROVACtTAA SAN’CTjE HE LESS. -p. 109 . & PHYSICUXUS HALWI&KII. p. 109.

2 JUAIS SANCRffi HEXENE p 109. 5 SAIXRTJS MYOPS p.110.

3 , SCARHS STRIGATUS .. p.lOS 6 BELONE AOVII . . ...p.110.

7 CHILOPCfCTERUS HElICULATtlS . p. Ill .

XlR.eeve & C°. lau&m..

PISCES.

Ill

Ophichthys, Gtlir.

*0. regius, Rich. — Generally known as Sea Snakes. They are
of no use as food. Specimens of these creatures were brought to
Europe by Captain Cook, but as be bad not recorded the locality
whence he took them it remained unknown until my collection of
fishes reached the British Museum.

Myroconger, Gthr.

*M. compressus, Gthr. — The Red Eel, of the Islanders is very
commonly taken in about eight or nine fathoms water and used
for food. It is peculiar to the Island.

Mursena, Gthr.

M. flavopicta, Kaup. — The Large Speckled Conger is perhaps
the most abundant of this class of fish, and is taken in considerable
quantities in deep water. Salted and grilled, it forms one of the
chief articles of food to the poor.

M. moringa, Cuv. — The Common Conger is abundant, and, like
the last species, is taken for its value as 1'ood, at a depth of eight
or nine fathoms.

*M. sanctae helenae, Gthr. — The Bird-eye Conger is another
species, also taken for food. It derives its local name from the
external marks on its skin, and is peculiar to the Island.

*M. unicolor, De la Roche. — The small Brown Eels, called
Griggs, are caught close in shore in shallow water, where they lie in
holes in the rocks for any bait that may chance to come in their
Way.

Order Plectognathi.

Fam. Oslracionidce.

Ostracion, Art.

O. quadrieornis, Linn. — The Hog or Trunk-fish is, with the
following five species, quite unfit for food. It is also found in the West
Indies, and is not very common at St. Helena.

Fam. Gymnodontidce.

Cliilomycterus, Gthr.

C. reticulatus, Linn — An enormous creature, about two feet in
length, frequently taken close in shore, and called the Lantern-fish ;

112

ST. HELENA.

so named from the use made of its horny skin after the contents are
removed and it is well dried.

Tetrodon, Linn.

*T. cutaneus, Gthr. — The Bottle-fish is also found at the Cape
of Good Hope.

*T. sanctse helense, Gthr. — The Bastard Hog-fish has been
found also at Japan.

Ortliagoriscus, Bl. Selin.

O. sp. ? — Sun-fish are taken in deep water off the Island by
whaling ships, chiefly for the sake of the oil which their livers afford,
hut they are seldom, if ever, now captured by the Islanders.

Fain. Balididce.

Balistes, Cuv.

*B bnniva, Lacep. — The Bile-fish, so called from the resem-
blance to a file which it wears on its back. It is of no use as food.

Order Lophobranchii.

Hippocampus, Leach.

*H. sp. ? — Called the Sea Horse from the striking resemblance
between its head and that of a hoi’se. This pretty little bright
red creature is occasionally brought up from a considerable depth by
fishermen’s lines and boats’ moorings.

Order Chondropterygii.

Carcharias, Cuv.

C. sp. ? — The Common Shark attains a length of fifteen or six-
teen feet. Sharks prowl about the coast and bays, even approaching
close to the landing-steps in search of prey. Few accidents, how-
ever, have been caused by these creatures, and as bathers are not
over-cautious, it may be through some distaste for the St. Ilelenians,
one of them having, it is said, a long while ago, swallowed a soldier,
with great-coat, musket, and bayonet, just as befell from his post
as sentry, and, suffering so much discomfort, was easily captured
next day.

C. glaucus, Linn. — The Blue Shark, of small size, is occasionally
taken. It generally inhabits tropical seas.

MOLLUSC A.

] 13

C. obscurus, Lesueur. — The Mackerel Shark is often brought
to the market, and the poorest people consider it fair food.

Lamna, Cuv.

L. glauca, Mull. & Henle. — The Dog-tooth Shark, which occurs
at Java, Japan, and the Cape of Good Hope, is also occasionally
taken at St. Helena.

II. MOLLUSCA.

In Conchology the Island does not offer a very wide field for the
naturalist’s researches, hut it affords one of extreme interest.
The extinct land-shells, although described as having some affinity
with those of the Polynesian Islands, Central America, Africa,
Mozambique, and the Seychelles, are for the larger part unique, and
Unmistakably point to the individuality of the Island and its non-
connexion at any time with the existing continental lands of Africa
or America. The amount of dredging that has yet been accomplished
ofi the Island is very small, but the treasures it has yielded to the
scientific world are quite sufficient to encourage the enthusiastic
naturalist. My own collection of shells, now in the British Museum,
Tas been made almost without the aid of dredging, the marine species
having been picked up on the beach or taken from the rocks a short
distance below high water. I have therefore been careful to dis-
tinguish those which I found in a living state, because, until the
refd have been found in a similar condition, there exists a probability
°f their having been thrown overboard from ships. I am most
fortunate in being able to record the examination of the collec-
tion by so eminent an authority as Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, who, in
fhe Annals of Natural History for April, 1S72, gives a list of the
sPecies, and writes as follows : —

“ With the assistance of my friend, Mr. MAndrew, I have
examined a collection of shells made by Mr. J. C. Melliss at St.
-Helena. Most of the marine shells were picked up on the
beach, and are consequently in bad condition. The only speci-
men procured from deepisli water (about fifty fathoms) is Ostrea
tsla-galli ; and this is covered with two kinds of stony coral, which
rofessor Duncan refers to Sclerohelia UirteUa and a species of
■Rcdanophyllia, The land-shells of St. Helena have been already
^°ticed by the late Mr. G. B. Sowerby in the Appendix to Mr.
twin’s work on Volcanic Islands, as well as by Mr. Blofeld and

i

114

ST. HELENA.

the late Professor E. Forbes in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological
Society of London, for August, 1852. In the opinion of the last-
named author ‘ a closer geographical relationship between the African
and American continents than now maintains is dimly indicated’ by
the marine mollusks of St. Helena ; and 1 the information we have
obtained respecting the extinct and existing terrestrial mollusks of
this isolated fragment of land would seem to point in the same direc-
tion, and assuredly to indicate a closer geographical alliance between
St. Helena and the west [? east] coasts of South America than now
holds.’ And in the Report of the British Association for 1851 will
be found an abstract of a paper by the same distinguished naturalist,
entitled, ‘ On some Indications of the Molluscous Fauna of the Azores
and St. Helena.’ It is here stated that ‘ the marine mollusks [of
St. Helena] would seem to point to the submergence of a tract of land
probably linking Africa and South America before the elevation of
St. Helena. Along the sea-coast of such a tract of land the creatures
common to the West Indies and Senegal might have been diffused.’
I am not quite satisfied with this hypothesis, and I believe that more
information is needed to support it. Some of the land-shells of St.
Helena are European, and may have been introduced by the agency
of man ; others are peculiar to the Island. A few of the marine
shells are Mediterranean, while the gi-eater number are well-known
inhabitants of the Indian Ocean and the West Indies ; all these
may have originated anywhere. But it must be borne in mind that
St. Helena is separated from Africa and South America in every
direction by very deep water, which is nowhere less than 2000
fathoms or 12,000 feet. It therefore seems scarcely probable that
such an abyssal and extensive tract of the sea-bed could have been
dry land or ‘sea-coast,’ in a geologically recent period, so as thus to
account for the diffusion of littoral species such as Mytilus edulis, M.
crenatus, and Littorina striata. I should be rather inclined to
attribute the present distribution of the marine fauna of St. Helena
(not to a supposed continuity of land between Africa and South
America in that or any other direction, but) to the action and
influence of the great Agulhas Current, which issues from the Indian
Ocean and flows round the Cape of Good Hope northwards towards
St. Helena, and thence past Ascension to the West Indies. The
partial correspondence between the Mollusca of the Indian Ocean
and of the Mediterranean may have been owing to the Guinea

MOLLUSC A.

115

Current, as well as to a passage which formerly existed across Africa
ln the line of the Sahara — a very wide tract, which certainly was
submerged during the quaternary period. I must admit, however,
that our information as to the marine Mollusca of the South-
Atlantic region, including St. Helena, is very scanty and unsatisfactory.
1 he only dredging that has ever, to my knowledge, been attempted
off St. Helena was made by Dr. Wallich in 1857, on his return home
from India ; and this was at a depth of from twenty to thirty fathoms.
It produced a few small shells, which Dr. Wallich kindly gave me.
Many of these appear to be undescribed species. The promised
circumnavigation expedition, under the auspices of the Boyal
ociety, will doubtless enable us to learn something of the South-
Atlantic fauna.

Mi . Edgar Smith will describe such of the species, and those
dredged by Dr. Wallich, as are new to science.”

Ol the land-shells eleven species are now found in a living state, the
^est are all in a more or less subfossil condition, embedded in the super-
ficial soils of the upper parts of the Island, varying at heights of 1200

0 700 feet above the sea, and entirely confined to the north-eastern
quarter of the Island. Mr. Darwin, who visited the Island thirty-eight
years ago, attributes their extinction possibly to the loss of food

u shelter they experienced by the destruction of the native woods
lck occurred during the early part of last century, when the old
•, ees and were not replaced by young ones, these being destroyed
q- frm goats and hogs, which had run wild in numbers from the year
The state of the shells and the positions in which they
are now found on the barren parts of the Island seem to indi-
cate that such was the case with the last surviving members of the
amily, but I am inclined to date the commencement of their decline
° a more ancient period — viz., that time when those parts where the

1 ls are now found were swamps clothed with vegetation and such
j <jmouts as were essential to the existence of Bidimi, but which, as the

and became smaller through the encroachments of the sea, lost
J-ear moisture by drainage and consequently with it their vegetation
c suitability to sustain snail life.

These beds of extinct land-shells, which occur chiefly on Flagstaff

* Journal of Researches. By Charles Darwin, M.A., F.E.S., p. 582.

116

ST. HELENA.

Hill and The Barn, appear to have been noticed first by Mr. Seale,*
who thought the shells were of marine origin ; and this opinion was
shared by Lamarck and others for some time, but their true character
was subsequently discovered. The late Professor Edward Eorbes,
E.E.S., in reference to ten species of them, writes as follows:! —

“ Of five subfossil Bulimi, the affinities of two are decidedly and
remarkably South American. The Bulimus auris-mdpina is unlike any
old-world form, and its relations must be sought for in the Brazilian
B. bilabiatus, and probably B. melanostoma and its allies. For allies
of the equally peculiar Bulimus darviniams we must also go to Brazil
and compare with B. e/oniostoma and similar types. Of the other
two, the affinities are with species now living in St. Helena.
Bulimus sealeianus is nearly allied to Bulimus heleua of Peeve (not
of Quoy) and the Achatina ewulata of Benson. Cochligena fossilis of

Sowerby is allied to this, but very distinct. Bulimus blofeldi is
nearly allied to an existing undescribed species found by Mr.
Alexander feeding on the cabbage-trees only on the highest points
of the Island. The affinities of the latter are decidedly West
African ; those of the former point in two directions, African and
South American, the latter character possibly prevailing.

“An Achatina , called Cochlicopa subplicata by Mr. Sowerby, is
chiefly connected with West Indian forms, but has also relations on
the West Coast of Africa, such as the A. clavata of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Sowerby described an allied species under the name of Cochli-
copa terebcllum.

“ The subfossil Succinea is of a very ordinary character, as is
the case with the majority of species of this genus all the world
over, though, curiously enough', one of the living St. Helena
Succinea is remarkable for its peculiarities.

“ One of the Helices is most nearly related to Madeiran types.
Mr. Sowerby has described four species, II. bilamellata, H. polyodon,
II. spurca, and II. biplicata, in his note on Mr. Darwin’s collection.
I have examined the first and third of these.

“ I have endeavoured elsewhere! to show that all the informa-
tion we possess respecting the Marine Mollusks of the coast of St.
Helena would lead us to infer the very ancient isolation of that

* Geognosy of the Island of St. Helena, by Mr. Seale,
f Proceedings of Geological Society, March 10th, 1852, p. 196.

+ Kep. Brit. Assoc, for 1851.

MOLLUSC A.

117

Island, whilst at the same time a pre-existing closer geographical
relationship between the African and American continents than now
maintains is dimly indicated. The information we have obtained
respecting the extinct and existing terrestrial mollusks of this iso-
lated fragment of land would seem to point in the same direction,
and assuredly to indicate a closer geographical alliance between St.
Helena and the west [? east] coasts of South America than now holds.”

Mr. J. R. Blofeld, F.Gr.S., also records, in reference to the con-
ditions under which he found these subfossil shells of St. Helena,
about half a mile behind Longwood, at an elevation of about 1700
feet above the sea, on a hill-side worn into numerous clefts or ravines
by the heavy rains, as follows :* — “ The shells are met with in
■various elevated parts of the Island. The surface of the hill to a
depth of five to six feet consists of dark mould, and under this is a
stratum of a greyish- brown friable earth about three to four feet
thick ; in this latter bed the shells occur. f This earth also contains
bird-bones,] perfect and fragmentary, in abundance; and it was
suggested that possibly in some cases the shells may have been
brought to the spot by birds that fed on their living occupants.

“ The B. auris-vulpina is accompanied by B. subjolicata and Helix
bilamellata. In the ‘shell-bed’ are found numerous lumps of
several sizes, composed of a white powdery substance, and associated
with a harder yellow substance. § Some specimens of a new species
°f Bdimus [B. blofeldi, E. Forbes) were found (together with some
young- Helix bilamellata) in a reddish clay or loam on the side of a

* Proceed. Geol. Soc., March 10, 1852, p. 195.
t “ This deposit is composed chiefly of vegetable matter and carbonate of lime. The
batter is present, both in the form of prismatic crystals (shell tissue ?) and as the coating of
vegetable fibres. The majority of the specimens of IS. auris-vuLpina presented to the Geo-
logical Society’s Museum by the late Mr. Seale, F.G.S., wore embedded in a whitish coherent
sand, consisting of grains (chiefly inorganic) coated witli calcareous matter.”

X “ Professor Owen, having examined these bones, pronounces them to belong to marine
'™s- The Professor has also examined some specimens of similar bones from Turk’s Cap
St. Helena, presented to the Geological Society by Captain Wilkes, It.N. These also are
a bones of marine birds, most of them being of the Petrel kind ; some of them belong to the
^ubgenus Pujfinw. The bones from Turk’s Cap Bay are from a greyish-brown” earthy
eP°sit, containing much inorganic sand, the grains of which are partially coated with
calcareous matter.”

^ § “ This white substance has been chemically examined by Dr. Percy, F.G.S., who
serves, that it consists of matter soluble in nitric acid with effervescence, with the exception
® Sma11 quantity of insoluble residue, probably siliceous. The soluble matter is carbonate
0 . jme> sulphate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, and phosphoric acid in combination with s?squi-
C*1 °c Ir°U' The h;uv*or yellow portion was found to contain organic matter, possibly the
‘lu'e °‘ bhe yellow colour, aud to be similar in constitution with the white powder.”

118

ST. HELENA.

hill overlooking The Briars, in the cutting of the road from
Jamestown to Longwood, about 1200 feet above the sea-level, and
about two miles in a direct line from the spot where the larger
Bulimi were found.”

I have examined the spot above The Briars referred to by Mr.
Blofeld, and the soil, with its embedded shells, gives unmis-
takable evidence of having been washed down to its present
resting-place from some higher altitude by the agency of heavy
rains.

CLASS I.— CEPHALOPODA.

Order Dibranchiata.

Fam. Odopidce.

Octopus, Cuv.

*0. sp.? — This repulsive-looking creature, commonly known as
the Cat-fish, is plentiful in the nooks and rocky holes on the coast,
about high water-mark, occasionally reaching a considerable size,
and measuring from eighteen to twenty-four inches across the
arms from tip to tip. The natives use it as food, in spite of its
appearance, but more generally cut it up as bait for fishing.

Argonauta, Linn.

A. argo, Linn. — The Paper Nautilus is rarely seen, but I found
two small shells, which had been washed or blown ashore, on the
beach at Sandy Bay.

CLASS II.— GASTEROPODA.

Order Pulmonobranchiata.

Fam. Limacidce.

Limax, Linn.

L. gagates, Draparnaud. — This British Slug is probably an
introduction through the medium of Wardian cases containing
living plants.

*L. n. sp. ( Two species of Garden Slugs which are very abun-
jdant and very destructive. They are chiefly confined

*L. n. sp. (to the high central land.

GASTEROPODA.

119

Fern. Helieidee.

Succinea, Draparnaud.

*S. picta, Pfr. — This native of the Island is still to be
found feeding upon the plants of boxwood (MeUissia begonifolia),
which grow on Long-range and other south-eastern parts of the
outskirts of the Island. The ground beneath those bushes is
covered with its reddish-amber-coloured dead shells. This species
appears to keep to the lower and hotter climate at an altitude
of five or six hundred feet above the sea, as it is not found on
the high land.

* S . asperula, Pfr. — A native shell, found abundantly in a dead
and somewhat fossil state in the surface soil on Flagstaff Hill, The
Barn, and Sugarloaf Hill. The ground under the bushes of
Samphire ( Salsola salsa) and other scrubwood is covered with its
pure white, opaque, and bleached dead shells, some of which are
found embedded in the limestone beds on the south side of Sugar-
loaf Hill.

*S. rudorina, Gould. — Still found alive feeding upon the
cabbage trees and native vegetation which grow on the high central
ridge, 2600 feet above the sea. It may be distinguished by its
fyht amber-coloured shell.

*S. bensoniana, Forb. — Found now only in a subfossil state,
embedded in the surface-soil. This species is figured and described
“ Proceed. Geol. Boa,” March 10, 1852, p. 198, pi. v. f. 7.

*S. solidula, Pfr.— A small species still found living underneath
and clinging to the rocks and stones on the low land, at New
Ground, &c., altitude above the sea 1200 feet, where it appears to take
refuge from the Wire Bird (FEgialitis sancta helence), which inhabits
those parts and feeds upon it. The little shells of this species be-
come coated with earth, which, being of the same colour as the rocks
and stones, serves to conceal them.

*S. helenee, Forb. — A small species, the delicate little white
shells of which are found only in a dead state in the neighbourhood
°f The Barn.

Helisiga, Less.

H. sanetse helense, Less. — This very beautiful bright amber-
coloured creature, a true native of the Island, may easily be distin-

120

ST. HELENA.

guished by its size, being the largest of all the species. It is still
found alive in considerable numbers, feeding upon the cabbage trees,
tree ferns, and native vegetation generally in the damp, cool
region on the bigli central ridge, at an altitude of 2600 feet above
the sea.

Zonites, Gray.

Z. cellar ius, Mull. — This native of the British Isles has
probably been introduced through the agency of the earth contained
in Ward’s cases of plants. It is easily recognised, being a small,
flat, spirally-formed snail, very abundant in gardens, where it assists
the common garden snail with its voracious aptitude for the destruc-
tion of young vegetation.

Z. alliarius, Miller. — Another British species, found commonly
associated with the other.

Helix, Linn.

H. aspersa, Mull. — This world-wide distributed creature, the
Common Garden Snail, is abundant all over the Island, and has,
without doubt, been introduced in the earth contained in Ward’s
cases of plants. It exists in large numbers on the somewhat barren
plains of Longwood and Prosperous Bay, where it finds a cool and
moist atmosphere as well as food amongst the creeping plants of
the Hottentot Fig {Mesem hryan th em am edule). In the hot season,
when those plants partially die away, the empty snail-shells may be
gathered from beneath them by hundreds.

*H. polyodon, G. B. Sow.=H. Alexandri, Forb. — A small
shell now found, together with the following five species, all of which
are natives of the Island, in a subfossil state, embedded in the
surface-soil on the north-eastern quarter of the Island, at an altitude
above the sea of 1200 to 1500 feet. Described and figured
“ Proceed. Geol. Soc.,” March 10, 1852, p. 19S, pi. v. f. 9 ; also in
Mr. Darwin’s work on Volcanic Islands.

*H. helenensis, Forb. — A small, round, whitish-brown,
spirally-formed shell, of a Pacific type, from the roadside banks on
Side-Path above The Briars.

*H. cutteri, Pfr. — A smaller species than the last, but found
associated with it.

*H. spurca, G. B. Sow. — From near Flagstaff Hill ; altitude
above the sea 1 600 feet. Described in the appendix to Mr. Darwin’s

Plate 22.

3.

i

1.

I

J. C.Melliss, del1:

— ' E ,V-Sohinsoji,liih.

1. HEHS1QA SANCL® BELEM. p. 119. ! fall size).

2. BBLIMUS AXJB.1S VULFINA. p. W. (iWsi*»).

3 CRAB CATffiT AT BREAKNECK VALLEY. ? p. Zoe.

L.Reeve & C? London.

J

GASTEROPODA.

121

work on Volcanic Islands, and figured in “Proceed. Geol. Soc.,”
March 10, 1S52, p. 199, pi. v. f. 10. Easily distinguished from
II. polyodon by its wide, toothless aperture.

*H. biplicata, G. B. Sow. — Described in the appendix to Mr.
Darwin’s work on Volcanic Islands, p. 155.

*H. bilamellata, G. B. Sow. — Prom Side-Path road, near The
Briars. Described in Mr. Darwin’s work, with the last species, and
figured in “Proceed. Geol. Soc.,” March 10, 1852, p. 199, pi. v. f. 8.

Bulimus, Bruguiere.

*B. auris-vulpina, Chemn. — This true native, “The great
extinct Land Snail of St. Helena,” is now found only in a semi-fossil
condition on the north-eastern quarter of the Island. The shells occur
in surface-beds of whitish-coloured earth on the north-western side
of Flagstaff Hill, at an altitude of 1611 feet above the sea, where
they have probably died or been carried by surface rain-water many
centuries ago. They are almost coloui-less, being of a dirty
brownish -white appeai*ance. Being exceedingly anxious to discover
if this creature still lived, I explored the locality very carefully, about
four years ago, and enlisted the sympathies of some of the peasantry
in my cause. The wife of a labouring man, living in a small
cottage in the valley at the back of Longwood, assured me that she
often saw them alive, and that after heavy rains they came out of
the earth and fed upon the Hottentot Fig plants. Thinking she
meant the common garden snail ( Helix aspersa), so abundant in the
same neighbourhood, I examined her on this point ; but so positive
Was she that she had seen the real, living Bulimus auris-vulpina , and
that her children had used them as playthings, which statement the
children confirmed, thatlfelt scarcely able todoubt their existence still
in a living state. Possibly some few may lurk bidden somewhere ;
but, considering the changes which have taken place in the physical
character of that part of the Island, and that the offer of a liberal
reward to my sanguine acquaintance failed to produce a living
specimen, I must confess that I am still sceptical upon this
point. It has been recently stated that this remarkable shell is
found in a living state in China, but so interesting a discovery
requires confirmation. It has no living analogue in Africa, but is
Saul to be “ a member of a group characteristic of Tropical America
(to which the names Plecochilm , Pachgotis, and Caprella have been

122

ST. HELENA.

given), including B. signatm , B. bilabiatus, B. goniostomus, and
B. sulcatus.” “ The only other group of Bulimi resembling the St.
Helena shells occurs in the Pacific Islands; B. calidonicus , at
Mulgrave Island ; B. auris-zovince, at the Solomons ; and B. shongi,
in Hew Zealand.”

*B. darvinianus, Forb. — With the following six species, all
of which are natives of the Island, this shell is now found only in a
semi-fossil state, embedded in the surface-soil in the ravines formed
by rain, on the north-eastern quarter of the Island, at altitudes from
1200 to 1700 feet above the sea. They are all distinguished by
being slenderer and smaller than the last species. Figured by the
late Professor Forbes in “Proceed. Geol. Soc.,” March 10, 1852,
pi. v. f. 1.

*B. blofeldi, Forb. — Found in the surface-soil on the Side-
Path road above The Briars. Figured Ibid. pi. v. f. 2.

*B. sealeianus, Forb. — Figured Ibid. pi. v. f. 3.

*B. subplicatus, G. B. Sow. — Figured Ibid. pi. v. f. 6. Also
described in appendix to Mr. Darwin’s work on Volcanic Islands,
p. 155. See Cochlicopa subplicata.

*B. terebellum, G. B. Sow. — A species more cylindrical in
form than the last. Figured Ibid. pi. v. f. 5. Also described in
appendix to Mr. Darwin’s work on Volcanic Islands, p. 155. See
Cochlicopa terebellum.

*B. fossilis, G. B. Sow. — Figured and described with the last
species, pi. v. f. 4. Found in the surface-soil on Side-Path road
above The Briars. See Cocldogena fossilis.

*B. relegatus, Benson.

*B. helena, Quoy. — A stout, opaque shell, about three-quarters
of an inch in length, found under the dying shrubs on The Barn, at
an altitude of 2000 feet above the sea. It is a native, and although
the shells are now dead, they appear of more recent date than the
former species, and are of a South African, Mozambique, and
Seychelle Island type.

Pupa, Lamarck.

P. umbilicata, Draparnaud. — A little British Snail, probably in-
troduced in the earth with plants, easily distinguished by its
minuteness. It is very abundant on the high lands, where, in every

GASTEROPODA.

123

garden or damp spot, it is found in large numbers clinging to
rotten wood, stumps of trees, and old palings.

Achatina, Lam.

*A. exulata, Benson.— Both this and the following species are
now found only in a semi-fossil state embedded in the surface-soil on
the Side-Path road above The Briars, &c.

*A. subplicata, G. B. Sow.

Order Siphonobranchtata.

Fam. Conid<e.

Conus, Linn.

*G. testudinarius, Martini. — Picked up, but not alive, on the
windward sea coast.

*C. irregularis, G. B. Sow. — Pound under similar circum-
stances as the former species.

Fam. Cypraidce.

Marginella, Lam.

*M. n. sp. — A very beautiful little pearly-white shell, about one-
eighth of an inch in length, found amongst the sand in the pools on
the West Bocks.

Cyprsea, Linn.

*C. lurida, L. — A rather large dark brown shell, about an inch
and three-quarters in length, picked up somewhat abundantly, but
not alive, on the windward coast.

*C. spurca, Lam. — A smaller species, of a light brown colour,
spotted or mottled in appearance; found under similar circumstances
as the last.

*C. turdus, Linn. — A still smaller species, about three-quarters of
an inch long, brown in colour, with spotted sides, found with the
other species.

C. moneta, Linn. — The common white money-cowrie is occasion-
ally pickeq Up on beach, but only in a dead state ; and, as it is
often carried about in ships, especially those trading on the coasts of
Africa, it may possibly have fallen overboard in the roadstead

124

ST. HELENA.

and been washed on shore ; if this is the case, it cannot properly
take a place amongst the shells of the Island.

Fam. Nassidce.

Cassidea, Bruguiere.

*C. testiculus, Linn.

Nassa, Lam.

*N. incrassata, Strom, var. — A very beautiful little white and
brown shell, about a quarter of an inch in length, found amongst
the sand in the pools on the West Bocks, but not alive. It is
a British species.

Columbella, Lam.

*C. cribraria, Lam. (H. and A. Adams).— A beautifully-marked,
smooth, brown and white shell, about one-third of an inch in length;
found under similar circumstances as the above.

Cominella, Gray.

*0. lugubris, C. B. Adams. — A small shell, not unlike the last
in appearance, but having an irregular surface ; found under similar
circumstances.

Fam. Muricidce.

Triton, Lam.

*T. variegatus, Lam. — A large conch, about ten or eleven inches
in length ; rarely seen. I obtained two living specimens, which
came ashore at Lemon Valley.

*T. olearium, Linn. — A large yellowish-brown shell, about three
inches long; found on the Windward Coast, but rarely, and not
living.

Banella, Lam.

*R. cselata, Broderip. — A large yellowish-brown shell, about
two inches long, picked up in a dead state on the Windward Coast.
It occurs at Panama.

Murex, Linn.

*M. n. sp. — An irregular rough-shaped shell, about three-fourths
of an inch in length, found alive in considerable numbers adhering
to the rocks around the coast at high-water mark.

GASTEROPODA.

125

Fam. Buccinidce.

Purpura, Adanson.

*P. rudolphi, Lam. — A sliell about an eighth or a quarter of
an inch in length ; found abundantly in a living state adhering to
the rocks around the sea-coast at water -mark.

Order Pectinibranchiata.

Fam. Fatettida.

Patella, Linn.

*P. ceerulea, Lam. — The Blue Limpet of St. Helena, found plen-
tifully alive and sticking to the rocks on the sea-coast about high-
Water mark.

*P. plumbea, Lam. — Pound also alive with the other species.

Tectura, Aud. & Mine. Ed.

*T. virginea, Mull. — A minute limpet-shell, of a tortoise-shell
appearance, picked up on the sea- shore.

Hipponyx, Defrance.

*H. mitrula, Lam. — Pound living, hut not common, clinging
to the rocks at water-mark on the Windward Coast ; a shell about
one-fourtli to one-half an inch in diameter.

*H. radiatus, Quoy and Graimard. — A species similar to hut
smaller than the last.

Fam. Fissurellidce .

Fissurella, Bruguiere.

*F. arcuata, G-. B. Sow. — A small limpet-shaped shell, picked
up on the sea-shore abundantly, but not alive*

Fam. Littorinidce.

Littorina, Fer.

*1.. helense. — A small periwinkle, found abundantly alive and
sticking to the rocks all around the sea-coast at and above liigh-
"water mark.

*L. striata, King. — Also found alive with the other species.

126

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Scalariidce.

Scalaria, Lam.

*S. modesta, C. B. Adams. — A very beautiful, fluted, spiral
shell, about three-quarters of an inch in length, found alive on the
W mdward Coast adhering to the rocks. Very rare.

Fam. Pyramidellidce.

Odostomia, Flem.

*0. circinata, H. Adams.

Fam. Ianthinidce.

Ianthina, Lam.

*1. fragilis, Bruguiere.— This beautiful purplish-blue and white
shell is cast ashore in a living state in large quantities on the
beach at Sandy Bay, on the windward side of the Island, during
strong S.E. trade-winds, and with it are associated large numbers of
the Portuguese Man-of-War and a species of Felella.

Fam. Fulimidce.

Eulima, Bisso.

*E. n. sp.— A very beautiful small, long, thin, pearly-white shell,
about one-third of an inch in length, found in a dead state in the
pools of the West Rocks, but in good preservation and apparently
recent.

Fam. Naticidce.

Natica, Bruguiere.

nitida, Donovan. — A British shell found on the sea-shore.

CLASS III.— CONCHIFERA.

Order Lamellibranchiata.

Fam. Ostreidce.

Ostrea, Linn.

*0. crista-galli, Linnd.— This scallop-lipped Oyster, which is
common in the Asiatic seas, is occasionally taken in a living state
off St. Helena at a depth of fifty or sixty fathoms.

CONCEIFERA.

127

Fam. Aviculidce.

Pinna, Linn.

*P. perimla, Chemnitz.— I obtained only one specimen of this
large shell, which had been washed ashore on the beach at Lemon
Valley. It did not contain an occupant.

Avicula, Lam.

* A. hirundo, Linn.— This shell, which is known on the English
and the Mediterranean coasts, is also found on the sea-beach at St.
Helena.

Fam. Mytilidrs.

Mytilus, Linn.

*M. edulis, Linn. — The Mussel, which is common on the English
and Mediterranean coasts, is found alive adhering to the long pieces
of seaweed which drift on shore at Sandy Bay beach.

*M. crenatus, Lam. — A yellowish-brown bivalve, found with
the other species on the floating seaweed.

Lithodomus, Cuv.

"L. lithophagus, Linn. — This perforator or stone-borer is to be
found embedded in its holes in the specimens of Lithotliamnion, which
are washed up on the sea-beach at Lot’s Wife Ponds and other places
on the Windward Coast.

Fam. Arcidce.

Area, Linn.

*A. domingensis, Lam. — A whitish shell, about half an inch
in length, found in the pools on the sea-shore, and in such a condi-
tion as to warrant the belief that it exists there in a living state.

Fam. lucmida;.

Lucina, Bruguiere.

*li. n_ Sp — A flat white shell, about half an inch in diameter,
found under the same circumstances as the last, and in good
preservation.

Fam. Chatnida.

Cliama, Linn.

*C. gryplioides, Linn.

12S

ST. HELENA.

Order Siphonata.

Teredo, Linn.

T. navalis ? Linn.— The Common Sea-Worm inhabits also that por-
tion of the South Atlantic around St. Helena, and is as destructive to
timber under water as in other parts of the world, but fortunately it
has little opportunity for exhibiting its destructiveness at the Island;
the sea-bottom being too hard and rocky to admit of driving piles*
there are no piers or sea-works of timber in existence.

III. CCELENTEEATA.

CLASS I.—ACTISTOZOA.

Order Coralligena.

The absence of coral at St. Helena is remarkable. With the
exception of one species there is none on the coast, and but two
or three kinds have been discovered in deep water. These have been
identified through the kindness of Dr. Gray, and Mr. Saville Kent
of the British Museum.

Phymactis.

*P. sanctae helense, Mine. Ed.— A dark-brown leather-like sub-
stance sticking to the rocks on the shore about high-water mark,
sometimes expanded, at others closed like a hemispherical-shaped
cushion. In the pools on the West Bocks, Lot’s Wife Ponds, and
elsewhere on the coast, several other species of sea anemones exist
and exhibit their lovely purple and white tints, though only to disap-
pear the moment they are touched. It is to be hoped that drawings
of them, which would he both interesting and valuable, may be made
by some future visitor at the Island.

Bugula, Oken.

*B. neritina. A brown, fine silk-like coralline, of wide
distribution. At St. Helena it is found entirely covering pieces of
wreck or timber that have been floating about in the set and then
washed ashore.

Antipatlies, Pall.

*A. pinnatifida, Mine. Ed.— The Sea-tree of St. Helena,

HYDROZOA.

129

where it is often brought up from deep water by fishermen’s lines and
°n boats’ moorings. It is also found in the seas of the Indian Ocean-

Sclerohelia.

*S. hirtella, Mine., Ed. — The Branching Coral of St. Helena,
where it is taken, by fishermen’s lines, boat moorings, &c., from a
depth of 60 or 80 fathoms. It is of a bright, reddish pink
colour when taken, but soon bleaches pure white by exposure.

Balanophyllia, Wood.

*B. sp. ? — This beautiful, bright orange-coloured, cup-shaped Coral
lias been detected by Professor Duncan growing upon a specimen of
an oyster ( Oslrea Crista-galli) taken from about 50 fathoms water.
It is rare, but occasionally taken in good-sized masses by fishermen’s
tackle, from deep water on the leeward side of the Island.

Mseandrina ? Lamk.

*M. sp. ? — Brain Coral, found growing in small masses from
two to six inches in diameter about high-water mark on the sea-
c°ast, more particularly on the windward side of the Island near
Sandy Bay.

CLASS II.— HYDROZOA.

Order Siphonophora.

Physalis, Til.

P- atlantica, Less. — The Portuguese Man-of-War is swept ashore
at Sandy Bay beach whenever a strong south-east trade wind succeeds
to a partial calm. It may then be picked up by thousands.

Velella, Lamk.

V. limbosa?, Lam. — A white horny substance, which, brought

m % the waves, accumulates amongst the shingle on Sandy Bav
beach. •

IV. ANISTULOSA.

CLASS I.— INSECTA.

It may at first appear that the insect world of so small a place is
easily mastered, but a fuller knowledge of the locality will prevent
®uch an idea being long encouraged. Were the whole Island
0 constitute one low-lying flat or plain it might be so; but,

K

130

ST. HELENA.

witli its variations in climate, its different altitudes, its alternating
valleys, sheltered glens, and exposed plains, in some parts richly
clothed with verdure, in others barren sunny wastes, there is an
immense diversity of habitations for insect life. It is remarkable how
in many cases insects occupy little colonies of their own, and I have
often found that a turn in the road, the intervention of a small hill,
or the addition of a few yards in altitude, would take me completely
out of the habitat of that particular insect for which I was seeking.

It has been remarked, and I am to some extent inclined to agree
therewith, that introduced insects, after a period of existence, dis-
appear from the Island. This is known to have been the case with
the Honey Bee and also the Death’s-Head Moth ; and as peach trees
are again plentiful and no insect now exists answering to the
following description, it may be presumed that it also has taken its
departure : — “ The Peach used to be the most abundant fruit in the
Island, but there are few of these now remaining. This valuable
fruit tree, which was introduced here many years ago, throve and
multiplied amazingly.” . . . . “ But about thirty years ago an
insect, imported either from the Mauritius or from the Cape of Good
Hope, along with the Constantia Grape, has destroyed almost all the
Peach trees, and no means have hitherto been found of checking its
ravages. It settles on the trunk of the tree, which becomes covered
with a white crust, and shortly after withers and dies. The
inhabitants have tried all methods of destroying it, but hitherto
without effect. They have smoked the trees, scraped off the white
crust, and washed the stem with a decoction of tobacco, &c. But
none of these methods have answered. This destructive insect is so
minute that it is not visible to the naked eye. It attacks some other
trees, particularly the native Gum-wood trees and the Mulberry;
but the trunk of the Peach seems to be its favourite lodgment. It
is a curious circumstance that this insect, which, according to the
testimony and belief of the inhabitants, was imported with the
Constantia Vine from the Cape of Good Hope, or with some shrubs
from the Mauritius, should not now settle on any of the plants on
which it is supposed to have been brought hither. Its ravages are
almost exclusively confined to the Peach, the Mulberry, and one or
two of the native island shrubs. An old inhabitant, describing and
lamenting the ravages it had made, could not forbear crying out, the
tears almost starting into his eyes — ‘ We would with pleasure have

INSECTA.

131

given up to it half tlie trees of the place had it only spared our
Peaches, which we valued so much.’ But this inexorable little foe
will listen to no such composition ; and, having hitherto resisted
every offensive means employed against it, is likely to continue its
progress till it has completely deprived the inhabitants of this
wholesome and delicious fruit.”*

As the inhabitants at the present time enjoy perfect immunity
from any insect of this kind, and rejoice in their peaches as fully as
ever their ancestors did, they have every reason to take courage and
look for the realization of their devout hope that the Termites or
White Ants, which have destroyed their homes and property in
Jamestown, may before very long be exterminated.

It is not difficult to account for the presence of imported insects.
The Island having shared for about three centuries and a half
in Europe’s traffic and commerce with the Eastern World,
they would he conveyed thither in ships, in bales of merchandize,
and even in timber, just as the White Ant was taken all the way from
South America to Africa and thence to St. Helena.

There is another mode of conveyance, which will doubtless
account for the presence of those European and garden insects which
are common, and that is the Wardian cases filled with earth and
living plants, which have been so largely introduced through many
years into the Island.

Order Coleoptera.

Eleven years ago, a few species of Beetles which Mr. Bewicke
collected at St. Helena were investigated by Mr. T. Vernon Wollaston,
W.A., P.L.S., who published an account, with figures of some of
them, in the Journal of Entomology for December, 1861, and it is
from the same eminent naturalist and high authority that science
lias received a careful examination and report of 65 species,! nearly
all of which, mainly owing to his encouragement, I collected at the
Island during my residence there. Mr. Wollaston’s most valuable

* A Description of tbe Island of St. Helena, published by B. Phillips, 6, Bridge Street,
K'ackfriars. 1805.

t Since writing this account, Mr. Wollaston has increased the total number of species to 96,
V the addition of Cydonia vicina, Muls., which Mr. G. It. Crotch informs him lie possesses
from St Helena, and which Mr. Wollaston records in the Annals of Natural History for
February, 1872, together with a diagnosis of Microxylohvus westwoodii, which he had lately
had an opportunity of examining and recording as a distinct species from M. vestitus.

K 2

132

ST. HELENA.

papers, which have appeared in the Annals and Magazine of
Natural History for October, 1809, and December, 1871, demand a
special reference for a study of the Coleoptera of St. Helena,
since they contain much important matter in addition to what
I have here quoted. The Beetles act a much larger part in the
destruction of vegetation than at first sight appears, through their
being nocturnal in their depredations ; but the leafless grape vines
and perforated lace-like leaves of the loquat and oak trees at St.
Helena plainly show how much mischief these little creatures are
capable of working. In a scientific point of view, they form
perhaps the most wonderful portion of this isolated insect fauna;
and Mr. Wollaston writes on the subject as follows: “That
a special interest should attach to the productions of any island
which is unusually remote, I need scarcely state ; and when we
recollect that St. Helena is about 1200 miles from the nearest point
of the African continent, we shall at once acknowledge that, for the
geographical naturalist, a more isolated field could hardly perhaps
be found. The manifest deterioration of the Island, in a scientific
point of view, during the last 300 years, is a subject on which I need
not dilate ; for the primeval forests which are said to have more or
less clothed it at its discovery have succumbed beneath the ruthless
hand of ‘ civilization,’ — a few detached patches alone remaining, on
the extreme summit and more inaccessible slopes, to harbour what is
left of that noble fauna the fragments of which are so eccentric that
one cannot but suspect the quondam occurrence of many intermediate
links (now, in all probability, long exterminated) which must, as it
were, have ‘ articulated them on’ to the recognised types with which
we are familiar. Of course in an island of this kind, which has
become intensely cultivated since the period of its colonization, we
naturally should not expect to meet with many traces of its primeval
species ; for the gradual rooting-out of the native vegetation, and
the introduction, year after year, of more ‘useful’ plants (chiefly
from European latitudes, but in the present instance, perhaps, partlv
from the Cape of Gfood Hope), accompanied by their inevitable train
of insect parasites, would so far alter the entire country as to destroy
the apparent peculiarity of its productions, and give a mixed cha-
racter to its fauna and flora to which aboriginally it had no kind of
claim. Happily, however, in cases like this, when the species are
brought fairly together, it is usually not difficult for a practised eye

INSECTA.

133

to separate in a general way the species which are strictlv endemic
from those which have subsequently been introduced and become
naturalized and thus it is that out of the 95 which are enume-
rated in the following catalogue there are only 17 concerning which
Mr. Wollaston (in that particular respect) has much doubt. He
says : “ Indeed what we may term the ' «//r«-indigenous’ species
speak at once, and unmistakably, for themselves ; and in like
manner as regards those which are more or less cosmopolitan, or
which have found their way, through human agencies, into nearly
eveiy country which has the slightest intercommunication with the
civilized world, there can he no question. These manifest importa-
tions last mentioned, which, however, figure so largely in the St.
Helena list, have no real bearing on the true fauna of any single
region beyond those whence they were originally disseminated, and
for the most part owe their presence in local catalogues merely to
the amount of research which may happen to have been made in the
houses, stores, gardens, and merchandize around the various ports
and towns. Yet, on the other hand, they cannot be omitted or
ignored; for some of them may have taken so firm a hold on the
newly acquired area as to occupy a prominent place amongst its
primeval organisms, and even perhaps to have aided indirectly in
their very extermination. This latter contingency, however, seems
to me to represent the exception rather than the rule ; for I have
myself generally observed that the species which are manifestly im-
ported linger almost exclusively about the * inhabited regions/ and
seldom attach themselves to those which are emphatically wild and
uncultivated — and even if in a few instances they should do so, that
their modus vivendi is totally different from that of the veritable
autochthones of the soil.” Mr. Wollaston, hearing in mind the above
considerations, concludes that out of the 95 species, only 42 (or less
than one-half) appear to be unmistakably indigenous, whilst the
evidently imported ones (species which through human agencies
have become widely disseminated over more or less of the civilized
world) amount to about 36, leaving a residuum of 17 which he
would perhaps characterize as “doubtful,” but the majority of
which, nevertheless, have in all probability been naturalized.

Those which Mr. Wollaston believes to be indigenous, and not
derived from any other country, are the following : —

134

ST. SELENA.

ffaplothorax burchellii.
Calosoma haligena.

„ helenae.

Bembidium mellissii.

A doretus versutus.
Pentartbrum subcsecum.
JSTesiotes squamosus.

„ asperatus.

„ liorridus.

Trachyphloeosoma setosum.
Sciobius subnodosus.
Heteronychus arator.
Mellissius eudoxus.

„ adumbratus.
Ancbastus atlantieus.
Microxylobius angustus.

„ cossonoides.

„ dimidiatus.

„ westwoodii.

„ vestitus.

„ lacertosus.

Microxvlobius lucifugus.

%J C

„ terebrans.

„ obliteratus.

„ debilis.

„ cbevrolatii.

„ conicollis.

„ monilicornis.

Nitioxenus bewickii.

„ ferrugineus.

„ rufopictus.

„ dimidiatus.

„ alutaceus.

Homoeodera rotundipennis.
„ coriacea.

„ alutaceicollis.

„ pygmsea.

Longitarsus helense.

„ mellissii.

Cydonia lunata.

Hopatrum hadroides.

Mordella mellissiana.

whilst the thirty-six which he gives as having followed in the
track of civilization and commerce are these : —

Lsemophlceus pusillus.
Mycetsea hirta.

Typhsea fumata.
Dermestes cadaverinus.

„ vulpinus.
Attagenus gloriosse.
Aphodius li vidus.
Cryptophagus a din is.

„ badius.

„ gracilipes.

Corynetes rufipes.
Gibbium scotias.
Anobium velatum.

„ paniceum.

„ striatum.

Anobium confertum.
Homalota coriaria.
Ehizopertha bifoveolata.

„ pusilla.

Iiylurgus ligniperda.
Sitophilus oryzse.
Otiorhynchus sulcatus.
Araeocerus fasciculatus.
Alphitobius diaperinus.

„ piceus.

Gnathocerus cornutus.
Tribolium ferrugineum.
Tenebrio obscurus.
Creophilus maxillosus.
Carpopliilus dimidiatus.

INSECTA.

135

Carpophilus hemipterus.
Trogosita mauritanica.
Silvanus surinamensis.

Curtomerus pilicornis.
Coptops bidens.
Philonthus longicornis.

leaving the following seventeen, as “ doubtful, but which have
most likely been, through various causes, naturalized

Pristonychus complanatus.
Dactylosternum abdominale.
Sphseridium dytiscoides.
Cryptamorpha musae.
Tribalus 4-striatus.

Saprinus lautus.

Tomicns semulus.

Stenoscelis hylastoides.
Bruchus rufobrunneus.

Bruchus advena.
Aspidoraorpha miliaris.
Epilaehna clirysomelina.
Zophobas concolor.

Thea variegata.
Xantliolinus morio.
Oxytelus alutaceifrons.

„ nitidifrons.

Mr. Wollaston further says : “ If it be permissible, from material
so limited as that which has hitherto been amassed, to build up a
rough estimate of the true Coleopterous population of St. Helena, it
Is clear that the ‘ cosmopolitan’ species, which have manifestly
followed in the wake of mere commerce and civilization, must be
altogether set aside ; and in that case, giving the more or less
equivocal ones the advantage of the doubt, we should have fifty-nine
to represent the aboriginal (and evidently much reduced) fauna of
this remote deteriorated island. When commenting, in 1861, on
even the fourteen species which had been collected by Mr. Bewicke,
I called attention to the extraordinary fact that not only did the
Weevils number nearly two-thirds ol the entire batch, but were like-
wise all of them endemic , both as regards species and genus! whilst
certainly three, if not indeed more, out of the remaining six
(belonging to other families) possess a wide geographical range.
This led me to remark that the Curculionidce would, in all pro-
bability, be found to play a most important part in the Coleopterous
fauna of St. Helena ; and I then expressed my belief, from the mere
diversity of configuration presented by the five species of Mieroosylolius
which had been brought to light, that the members of that abnor-
mal little group would almost certainly be ascertained to be locally
abundant, and, * since the same might be urged with no less force
for that extraordinary genus Niiioxenus,' that there was ‘every

136

ST. HELENA.

reason to suspect that the Rhynchophora of this mountain-island are,
in proportion to its size, both numerous and eccentric.’

I have thought it worth while to allude to these casual obser-
vations of my own, because they have been so strictly and literally
■verified. Not only have A tier oxylo b ius and Nitioxenus been aug-
mented by newly discovered exponents, but everything tends to
prove that they are immeasurably the most significant of the island
forms ; indeed an undescribed and closely related genus has been
detected alongside the latter, as though still further to enhance the
local importance of that particular Anthribideous type. Scarcely
less characteristic, however, than even these three, are, perhaps, the
obscure Curculionideous groups Nesiotes and Trachyphlceosoma ; and,
if indeed it be truly aboriginal (and there is no reason for suspecting
the contrary), that curious little blind Cossonid, the Pentarth rum
suhcacum, may be added to the number, in which case the Rhyncho-
phora alone would monopolize no less than six of the most anomalous
endemic genera! Indeed the only other manifestly indigenous
forms which I should define as par excellence ‘abnormal’ are
Haplothorax of the Carabidse, and perhaps Mellissius of the Lamel-
licorns, neither of which, however, are so eccentric in their structure
as the six lihynchophorous ones to which I have just alluded.

“ Apart , however, from their singularity of type, it may be useful,
in order to illustrate the mere numerical preponderance of the
weevils (as regards both species and genus) in the St. Helena
catalogue, to distribute the fifty-nine members of the fauna (to
which I have already called attention) under the twelve great
sections into which the Coleoptcra are usually supposed to arrange
themselves. I am well aware that the paucity of the list itself, and
perhaps likewise the totally unexplored state of the pools and
sti earns, may be sufficient to account for many an apparent
anomaly— such as, for instance, the complete absence of the water-
beetles and Ht achelytra ; but still, after making every allowance
for the manifest imperfection of the material, the broad fact does
undoubtedly remain that the researches of Messrs. Melliss, Bewicke,
and others (and that, too, whilst by no means neglecting the
minuter groups) have brought to light more representatives of the
Rhynchophora than of all the other departments combined. And
that this is truly the case, a glance at the following table will
suffice to show : — •

INSECTA.

137

Rhynchophora 31

Cordylocerata [i.e. Lamellicorns, &c.) . . . 6

Geodephaga 5

Brachelytra 4

Heteromera 3

Phytopliaga 3

Pseudotrimera 3

Philhydrida 2

Hecropkaga 1

Priocerata 1

Plydradephaga 0

Eucerata 0

“ If we exclude from consideration the thirty-six species (above
alluded to) which have unquestionably been brought into the Island
through the medium of commerce, and which enter into the fauna of
nearly every civilized country, I need scarcely add that the St. Helena
list, as hitherto made known, possesses nothing whatever in common
'with those of the three sub-African archipelagos which lie further to
the north — though the great development of the Curculionideous
sub-family Cossonides is a remarkable fact which is more or less
conspicuous throughout the whole of them.”

Fam. Carabidce.

Haplothorax, Waterh.

*H. burchellii, Waterh. — This truly indigenous and noble
black carabid may be distinguished by its being tiie largest Beetle
that is found in St. Helena. It is confined to the north-eastern
corner of the Island, at an altitude above the sea of 2000 feet. It
uppears to have been detected by the African traveller, Dr. Burchell,
a good many years ago ; it is now extremely scarce, being met
with occasionally only, after considerable hunting, under stones
°u Deadwood or Flagstaff, and sometimes in the ploughed fields at
Longwood.

Calosoma, Weber.

*C. haligena, Woll. — A large dull brassy or nearly black
Beetle, about an inch in length ; it is, with the other species, easily
distinguished from the Haplothorax by the presence of metallic spots

138

ST. HELENA.

on the elytra or wing-covers. It inhabits both the high and low
land, but chiefly the north-eastern quarter of the Island, where it
may he detected, generally in pairs, under stones, or sometimes in
broad daylight walking across a roadway, in the neighbourhood of
Eupert’s Valley or Longwood. Mr. Wollaston says: “It seems to
belong to the same type as the African species senegalese and
rugosum, from the former of which it is nevertheless abundantly
distinct. From the latter it differs {inter alia) in being more
depressed, and in having its coppery punctures smaller, in its pro-
thorax being more deeply rugose before and behind, and in its legs
being less robust.” This creature emits a most unpleasant odour
when taken in the hand, and is frequently covered with very small
parasitic insects.

*C. helense, Hope.— A Beetle very like the last species in
appearance, but smaller and blacker, and perhaps more generally
distributed in the Island.

Pristonychus, Dej.

P. complanatus, Dej.-A glossy black Beetle, rather more than
half an inch m length, inhabiting the high land of the central parts
of the Island; found under stones, fallen trunks of trees &c Mr
Wollaston writes of it thus: “It is a species of Mediterranean
latitudes— occurring in Portugal, Spain, the South of France Ttaly
Sardinia, Sicily, Egypt, Barbary, &c. It is abundant also in the

zores, Madeiras, and Canaries, and has been reported even from

Chili.

Bemhidium, Auct.

*B. mellissii, Woll.-A very beautiful little light-brown Beetle,
one-sixth of an inch m length, taken from the high land, of which
Mr. Wollaston writes, that “ it belongs to the same group as the
European B. varium and flammulatum. It is well distinguished by
its dull brassy-green head and prothorax, and lurid-testaceous elytra—
the latter of which are ornamented with a number of darker fascia?
and cloudy patches, forming (on each elytron) a large sub-apical
blotch, a postmedial zigzag (or deeply dentate) fascia, and two
squarish ante medial spots placed in an oblique direction (from the
shoulder) on the fore disk. The elytral stria? are coarsely and
closely punctured, or crenate, and there are two large punctiform
impressions on the third interval from the suture.”

Plate 23.

. 't CtJeUisb. teu- BtOobllisijn.ltth.

1. HAPIOTHORAX BUB.CHELLII. p.1S7. 4 SC10B1TJS STJBNODOSUS. p. IBS.

1. CAL 0 SOMA HAAIGEMA p.137. 5. CYPONIA IXfHATA p. m.

3. MELLISSIUS ADUMBBATUS p.J45. 6- PASITHXA PUI.CHBA p.276

L. .Reeve & OR London.

INSECT A.

139

Fam. SpJueridiadce.

Dactylosternum, Woll.

D. abdominale, Fab. — Of this sliiny, broad, black Beetle, about
a quarter of an inch in length, Mr. Wollaston writes : “ Several
specimens of this widely spi’ead insect were taken in St. Helena by
Mr. Melliss, and there can be no doubt that the species has become
naturalized in the Island through human agencies. Although found
more particularly in Mediterranean latitudes, it has acquired an
extended geographical range — occurring in the Azorean, Madeiran,
Canarian, and Cape Verde archipelagos, and being reported even
from Madagascar, Bourbon, and the East Indies.”

Sphteridium, Fab.

S. dytiscoides, Fab. — Mr. Wollaston says : “ I have no means of
determining what this insect (the diagnosis of which I have copied
verbatim from the ‘ Systema Entomologhe’) really is ; but, judging
from the rough figure of it which is given by Olivier, it would
appear to me to be either a true (though possibly small) Splueridium
or else an unusually large Cercyon, or (still more probably perhaps) a
Cyclonotum — with the head and prothorax rufo-ferruginous and the
elytra black. Nevertheless, as it was described by Fabricius from a
specimen (or specimens) in the cabinet of Sir Joseph Banks, which
bad been obtained at St. Helena, I have no choice but to include it
in the present enumeration; and I can only hope that some future
collector in the Island may again bring the species to light, and so
enable us to decide positively what it is.”

Fam. Nitidulida.

Carpophilus, Steph.

C. dimidiatus, Fab. — A small black Beetle, of which Mr.
Wollaston writes : “ A widely diffused insect, which appears to have
been naturalized, through the medium of commerce, in most parts of
the civilized world, and which has established itself in the Madeiran,
Canarian, and Cape Verde archipelagos.”

C. hemipterus, Linn. — A thicker, shorter species, and, as Mr.
M ollaston says, “ equally diffused with the last (through human

140

ST. HELENA.

agencies) over the civilized world. It is common, chiefly in the
warehouses and stores, throughout the Madeiran, Canarian, and
Cape Verde groups.”

Fam. Trogositidce.

Trogosita, Oliv.

T. mauritanica, Linn. — A dark reddish-brown, flat Beetle,
one-third of an inch in length, taken in the town, of which Mr.
Wollaston says : “ Of course totally unconnected with the true fauna
of the Island, yet, having been taken by Mr. Melliss, it would seem
at any rate to have established itself in the storehouses and granaries
of St. Helena, in like manner as it has done in most regions of the
civilized world. It is very common throughout the Madeiran,
Canarian, and Cape Verde archipelagos.”

Fam. Cucujidce.

Lsemophlceus, Erichs.

L. pusillus, Sch on. — A minute brown Beetle, one-tenth of an
inch in length, of which Mr. Wollaston writes : “ An insect very liable
to transmission, along with grain and other articles of commerce,
throughout the civilized world ; but, having clearly no connexion
with the real fauna of the Island, it is of little geographical im-
portance. The species has, in like manner, established itself in the
Madeiran and Canarian groups.”

Cryptamorpha, Woll.

C. musae, Woll.— A light-brown Beetle, one-sixth of an inch in
length, of which Mr. Wollaston writes : “ In Madeira it occurs beneath
the loose outer fibre of banana stems, in and around Funchal ;” and in
St. Helena I found it abundantly amongst the old banana trees and
rotting vegetation in a pond at The Hermitage, 2000 feet above
the sea.

Silvanus, Lat.

S. surinamensis, Linn. — A minute brown Beetle, of which Mr
Wollaston writes : “A single example of this almost cosmopolitan
Silvanus is amongst the collection of insects taken recently by Mr
Melliss at St. Helena ; and although, of course, totally unconnected

INSECTA.

141

with the native fauna of the Island, yet, as the species is allowed to
figure in the local list of nearly every civilized country, we can scarcely
deny it a place in our present enumeration.” It is, like many of the
imported species, found amongst dead leaves and vegetation in
gardens.

Fan. Cryp top lay ides.

Cryptophagus, Ilbst. *

C. badius, St. — A small light-brown Beetle, which, Mr.
Wollaston says, “ seems to be the common European cryptophagus
badius ; and I may add that Mr. Bye is likewise of opinion that it
should be referred to that species. I have therefore little hesitation
in recording the C. badius amongst the insects which have been
naturalized in the Island through the medium of commerce, though
the individual now before me presents perhaps a slight shade of
difference from the ordinary type.”

C. afidnis, St. — A somewhat smaller species than the last, of
which Mr. Wollaston writes : “A common European cryptophagus

which — like Lcemophlceus pusillus, Mycetcea hirta, and others — must
clearly have been imported into the Island from more northern
latitudes ; and therefore, even if fairly established (as is the case with
it in the Azorean, Madeiran, and Canarian groups), it can of course
have no connexion whatever with the original fauna of St. Helena.”

C. gracilipes, Woll. — A still smaller species than the others,
taken on the high land amongst garden rubbish, &c. Mr. Wollaston
says : “ Several examples of this most distinct and interesting little
Cryptophagus are amongst the Coleoptera collected at St. Helena. It
differs very essentially from every member of the genus with which
I am acquainted ; and Mr. Bye, who has paid unusual attention to
the Cryptophagi, assures me that he is not aware of any species upon
record with which it can be made to agree. Apart from its rather
small size, convex body, and dark rufo-ferruginous hue, its most dis-
tinctive features consist in its extremely coarsely and densely
punctured surface, which is beset all over (though especially on the
elytra) with very elongate and nearly erect, soft, whitish hairs. Its
limbs, too, are marvellously slender — even more so, perhaps, than is
the case in the particular section of the group (represented by the
C. Vini in Europe, and C. hespcrius in the Canarian archipelago) to
which it belongs. Its incrassated anterior prothoracic angle is

142

ST. HELENA.

rather largely developed, with the hinder point of it more or less
acute ; hut there seems to be no central lateral denticle, the sides
being merely minutely crenulated — so minutely, indeed, as some-
times to appear nearly simple.”

Fain. Mycetophagidce.

Mycetsea, Steph.

M. hirta, Gyll. — A very small, widely distributed, European
Beetle, which Mr. Wollaston considers to have been naturalized in
St. Helena, as it has been in the Azorean and Madeiran archi-
pelagos.

Typhsea, Steph.

T. fumata, Linn. — A reddish-brown Beetle, about one-eiglith of
an inch in length, of which Mr. Wollaston writes: “ There is scarcely
any insect which has acquired (doubtless through human agencies) a
wider geographical range than the common European T. fumata ; and
therefore it is not surprising that it should have been met with by
Mr. Melliss at St. Helena. It occurs in the north of Africa, and
abounds in the Azores, Madeiras, Canaries, and Cape Verdes ; and it
has even been reported likewise from the United States.”

Fam. Dermestidce,

Dermestes, Linn.

D. cadavei-inus, Eab. — I have not detected this Beetle at St,
Helena, but Mr. Wollaston has included it because of its having
originally been described by Fabricius (in 1775) from a St. Helena
example in the collection of Sir J oseph Banks. “ Being peculiarly
liable to transmission, in various articles of merchandize and com-
merce, throughout the civilized world, it lias been made to acquire a
very extensive geographical range — being recorded not only in Europe,
but even from South America, Mexico, Otaheite, the East Indies,
Siberia, Arabia, &c. ; and it was obtained abundantly, by the late Mr.
Bewicke, at Ascension.”

D. vulpinus, Fab. — A somewhat oval-shaped, black Beetle, half
an inch in length, common about the town and low land in its
neighbourhood. It is evidently an introduced insect, which, Mr.
Wollaston says, “is eminently liable to accidental dissemination

INSECT A.

143

along with various articles of commerce and merchandize. It has
been established equally in the Madeiran, Canarian, and Cape Verde
groups.”

Attagenus, Eat.

A. gloriosse, Fab. — A small, thick, mottled-brown Beetle,
about one-sixth of an inch in length, common about the town and
low land in its locality ; I have caught it crawling over my office
table. Its introduction is doubtless due to the medium of commerce,
and, Mr. Wollaston says, “ it has likewise established itself in the
Island of Ascension, and it is reported also from India, Eastern
Africa, and America.”

Fam. Ilisterida.

Tribalus, Erichs.

T. 4-striatus, Woll. — A Beetle, one-eighth of an inch in
length, of which Mr. Wollaston writes : “ The rather small size and
entirely punctulated surface of this little Histerid, combined with its
semicircular awcarinated forehead, and the fact of its elytra being
totally free from a sutural stria (which is only traceable as a very
short subscutellar arcuated impression), affiliate it with the small
group of species which constitute the genus Tribalus ; but it seems
to differ ( inter alia) from the whole of them in having four very dis-
tinct dorsal punctured striae continued to about the middle of each
elytron. Apart from other characters, its piceous-black hue, sub-
rufescent limbs, and perpendicular pygidium will serve additionally
to distinguish it.”

Saprinus, Erichs.

S. lautus, Woll.— A Beetle, about a quarter of an inch in
length, of which Mr. Wollaston says '• “ The blue tinge (at any rate
on the elytra) and by no means small size of this Saprinus are some-
what suggestive at first sight of the widely spread S. semipunctalus ;
but the fact of its epistome being divided from the forehead by a
strong transverse line, in conjunction with its sutural stria being
complete, and uniting in front with the fourth discal one, remove it
into a totally different section of the genus — characterized by such
■North- American species as javeti, patruelis, and dimidialipennis,
which, however, appear to be of considerably smaller stature and less
punctured on the surface.”

144

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Aphodiadce.

Aphodius, Illig.

A. lividus, Oliv. — A light-brown, glossy Beetle, a quarter of an
inch in length, taken amongst decaying oak leaves and herbage in
gardens on the high land. Mr. Wollaston says of it : “ This widely
spread European Aphodius — which occurs throughout Northern and
Western Africa, and in the Azorean, Madeiran, Canarian, and Cape
Yerde archipelagos — is an insect which easily becomes disseminated
through indirect human agencies (particularly the transportation of
cattle), and I feel satisfied has no connexion whatever with the
original fauna of so remote an Island.”

Fam. Fidelidce.

SUB-FAM. ANOPLOGNATHIDES.

Adoretus, Castln.

*A. versutus, Harold. — Well known at St. Helena as the Vine
Beetle, in consequence of the devastation it causes to the grape-vines.
It is abundant, generally inhabiting the low, warm parts of the
Island, especially at The Briars, Maldivia Gardens, Southens,
&c., where it is a terrible pest, devouring the leaves and young
shoots of the vines so voraciously as very soon to reduce a vine from
full leaf to bare stems. As it hides away under stones and wood-
work during daylight, only emerging as night comes on, the
gardener finds it requires special exertion to keep it in check.
The first time I saw this insect was at The Briars, when I was
much puzzled to make out what the gardener was about groping
under the vines with a lantern in one hand and a soda-water bottle
containing hundreds of captured beetles in the other.

Fam. Dgnastida.

SUB-FAM. PENTODONTIDES.

Heteronychus, Burm.

*H. arator, Fab. — A very shiny black Beetle, half an inch
long, and stout in proportion, very common on the upper central
land, where it seems to prefer the neighbourhood of grass-lands and

INSECT A.

1 45

hay fields. Often it may be seen crawling lazily across the surface
of a roadway or roadside bank, and frequently lying dead in numbers
along the liighway-road. Mr. Wollaston writes of it : “ The South-
African If. orator appears to be common at St. Helena, where it was
taken by the late Mr. Bewicke in 1860, and subsequently in con-
siderable abundance by Mr. Melliss. It is conspecific with the
insect characterized by Blanchard in the Entomological portion of
Dumont d’Urville’s ‘Voyage au Pole Sud sur les Corvettes P Astro-
labe et la Zelee ’ (p. 105, pi. 7, f. C) under the title of If. sando}-
helerus.”

Mellissius (Bates), Woll.

With reference to this genus, Mr. Wollaston writes : “ The
structural features of the group bring it into close proximity to the
Australian genera Choiroplatys and Isodon ; but a reference to the
diagnosis will show that it is abundantly distinct from them both.
Unlike them, also, it appears, at any rate in one of the two species
described below, to have organs for slight stimulation ; and its pro-
thorax is apparently entire in both sexes (for as it is so in fifteen
'males which are now before me, we may conclude that this is equally
the case in the opposite sex) ; and its anterior male tibiae are not
enlarged as in Cleiroplafgs. The Mellmii are practically apterous,
their wings being very small and rudimentary, and they seem to be
eminently fossorial. In its simple (or unimpressed) prothorax the
genus agrees with the European and African group Penlodon ; but,
apart from other differences, the members of the latter have their
organs for stridulation exceedingly conspicuous, occupying, however,
the central part only of the propygidium.”

*M. eudoxus, Woll. — A shiny chocolate-coloured Beetle, com-
mon under the grass and surface-soil of pastures on the high lands.

*M. adumbratus, Woll. — A species somewhat similar in size and
colour to the last, but, being larger, more of a red-chocolate colour,
ai>d less glossy, is easily distinguished from it. Both species are
plentiful, and occur in similar localities. Their larvae, the large,
tat, whitish grubs called “ hog-worms,” play so important a part in
the destruction of the grass on some of the high lands, by feeding
011 its roots, that large patches, and sometimes whole fields, are laid
bare. General Beatson writes thus :* “ There is a white maggot

# JBeatson’s Tracts.

h

146

ST. SELENA.

(‘ tog-worm,’ as it is here named, from hogs being extremely fond
of it) which is found in great numbers in old grass-lands when
newly broken up. It has not hitherto been injurious to potatoes
or crops of corn, yet it is very destructive to pasture-lands. I
knew not until lately the cause of the barren appearance I had
observed in many parts of the pastures; I had been told it pro-
ceeded from the shallowness of the soil, or from barren clays under
the soil; but, upon breaking up some old lays, it was discovered that
under these apparently barren spots, this ‘ large white grub, with a
red head, six short legs, and nine breathing-holes in each side, and
measuring from an inch to an inch and a half in length,’ had been at
work, and had absolutely separated the sward for an inch or more
from the subsoil. I have examined many spots where the verdure
had disappeared, and invariably have found this destructive maggot.
I have seen some taken out at twelve or fifteen inches under the
surface, and, at other times, have caught them destructively employed
within a few inches of the grass, feeding on its roots and occasioning
the mischief. It is said that the only way of destroying these
creatures is to turn a herd of swine for a few days into the field
where they are ; they destroy both grass and grubs, but of the two
evils they are the least. I have also found this insect under stones
on the low barren plains near Prosperous Bay.

Fam. Fla f erula .

Anchastus, Lee.

*A. atlanticus, Cand. — A long, thin Beetle, three-eighths of an
inch in length, black on the upper and somewhat whitish on the
under surface. It is found under stones, in the dry earth to the
eastward of Arnos Yale ; and I have also captured it on the top
of Flagstaff Hill, on the eastern side of the Island, at an altitude
of 2000 feet above the sea.

Fam. Cleridce.

Corynetes, Hbst.

C. rufipes, Thunb. — A Beetle which Mr. Wollaston recognises
as a common European species, and which has doubtless made its
way into St. Helena, as it has to Ascension, the Canarian, and Cape

INSECTA.

147

Verde archipelagos, through the medium of commerce. It is about
the sixth part of an inch in length, and easily recognised by its
metallic green colour. It inhabits only the low land in the neigh-
bourhood of the town and Ladder Hill.

Fam. Ptinidce.

Gibbium, Scop.

G. scotias, Fab. — Like the last, a European species, imported
into the Island as it has been at Madeira. Its bright, dark brown,
glass -like body, about the size of a large -pin’s head, and long thin
legs, serve easily to distinguish it from the other Beetles.

Fam. Anohiada;.

Anobium, Tab.

A. velatum, Woll. — This and the three following species,
taken from the neighbourhood of the town, are small light-brown
Beetles, which Mr. Wollaston recognises as importations into the
Island, A. velatum also occurring at Madeira.

A. paniceum, Linn., has also established itself in the Azorean,
Madeiran, Canarian, and Cape Verde archipelagos.

A. striatum, Oliv. — A common European insect, which, like
the last species, has established itself in the above-named islands.

A. confertum, Woll. — Of which Mr. Wollaston says: “Having
do information concerning the precise places of capture of Mr.
Melliss’ s various Coleoptera, I cannot but look with suspicion upon
a single example of an Anobium now before me, as having, in all
probability, become introduced into the Island, and been found by
him in some house or cultivated spot ; yet, as it is well characterized
by its very peculiar sculpture, and I cannot identify it with any
member of the genus to which I have had access, I have thought it
desirable to enunciate the species on the chance that it will be ascer-
tained to have been undescribed.”

Fam. Boslrichidce.

Rhizopertha, Steph.

R. bifoveolata, Woll.— This and the following species, taken

l 2

148

ST. HELENA.

from tlie neighbourhood of the town, are both recognised by Mr.
"W ollaston as imported through the medium of commerce, he having
found them also at Madeira and the Cape Verdes in the warehouses
and stores. They have doubtless reached St. Helena in bags of rice
or casks of flour.

R. pusilla, F.

Fam. Tomicidce.

Tomicus, Lat.

T. aemulus, Woll. — This insect, Mr. Wollaston considers, may
be an indigenous one ; but as I only met with one specimen, and
have no recorded locality to it, 1 am unable to say whether it was
taken from the high or the low land.

Fam. Hylesinidce.

Hylurgus, Lat.

H. ligniperda, Fab. — A dark brown, almost black, Beetle, a
quarter of an inch in length, very common amongst the pine or fir
trees on the high lands, about Plantation, and other localities of
the same altitude. It is an European insect, which, Mr. Wollaston
says, has been also naturalized in the Azorean, Madeiran, and
Canarian groups.

Fam. Curculionidce.

SUB-FAM. COSSONIDES.

Stenoscelis, Woll.

S. hylastoides, Woll. — An almost black, cylindrical-shaped
Beetle, one-sixth of an inch in length, taken from the wood of
decaying branches of trees on the high land. Mr. Wollaston says
of it : “ The examples which I originally described of this curious
insect, and for the reception of which I found it necessary to
establish a new genus, were taken by the late Mr. Bewicke, in 1860,
at the Cape of Good Hope ; and it is an interesting fact, therefore,
geographically, that (judging from an extensive series which was
captured by Mr. Melliss) the species would appear to be common
also at St. Helena. After giving, in the Journal of Entomology, a
lengthened diagnosis of the group, I added: ‘ So very closely does the
present insect, at first sight, assimilate Eylastes, that I had regarded

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149

it, previous to a critical examination, as an abnormal member of that
group, in which the external edge of the tibiae was edentate. But,
on closer inquiry, it proves to be undoubtedly one of the Curcu-
lionidat, the entire structure of its slender, toothless, apically uncinate
tibiae, and its unreceived tarsi, assigning it to that family. From
Ilhyncolus, however, to which it is clearly related, it recedes com-
pletely in its excessively short, broad, thick, and subtriangular
rostrum, in its very abbreviated and differently constructed antennae
(which have apparently no lateral scrobs for the reception of their
scape), in its minute punctiform scutellum, its more globose,
exposed head, and in its longer feet ; and I should consider that the
Madeiran Hexar thrum is perhaps its nearest described ally, though
in that genus the funiculus is only 6-articulate, whereas in Slenoscelis
it is 7.’”

Microxylobius, Chevr.*

Of this genus Mr. Wollaston writes : “ The excessive importance
at St. Helena (where it is manifestly aboriginal, and to which it
seems to be peculiar) of the little Curculionideous genus Microxy-
lobius induces me to enter more fully into its details, in this memoir,
than I should otherwise have thought it necessary to do.” It com-
prises small black Beetles, varying from a twelfth to a quarter of an
inch in length, and generally so extremely bright and glossy as to be
easily distinguished from the other Beetles of the Island ; moreover,
they are chiefly confined to the native vegetation on the high land,
at an altitude of 2700 feet above the sea, where they may be found
abundantly in the stems and branches of the cabbage-trees ; some
few have extended down to an altitude of about 1700 feet, and taken
up their abode in oak, loquat, and other exotic trees ; but it is fully
manifest that, with the cabbage-trees, they form a portion of the
aboriginal occupants of the Island.

*M. westwoodii, Chevr., of which Mr. Wollaston writes:
“ This species being the one for which the genus was originally
founded by M. Chevrolat, I have no choice but to regard it as the
type of the group; and it is therefore extremely unfortunate that I

* In a subsequent paper on the Genera of the Cossonidre, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1S73, Pt. IY.
Oct. p 520, 521, Mr. Wollaston separates this genus into three, placing M. cossonoides under
a new genus named Lamprochrus., Woll., and M. chevrulaiii, M. conicollis, M. monilicornis,
H. terebrans, M. ublileratus, M. debilis, and M. angustus under the genus Acanthomerus,
Boheinan : the others remaining as Microxylobii.

150

ST. HELENA.

should have been unable to obtain a glance at the individual from
which Prof. Westwood’s excellent figure which accompanied the
diagnosis was drawn. Judging from the plate alone, I should have
been contented to cite the following species (which I describe under
the trivial name of vestitm ) as the true M. westicoodii, had not
Chevrolat distinctly stated his insect to be glabrous, and not only to
have its elytra less parallel (or more expanded behind the middle)
and with the base and suture raised, but its tibiae likewise (as I
believe) to be more curved and robust. Still it is not impossible
that Chevrolat s example may have been an old and worn one, from
which the rather sparing and delicate pubescence had been rubbed

ofi, in which case there is at least an additional chance tbat it may
prove eventually to be identical with my M. vestifus ; but, as the
group is evidently rich in species, I am inclined to suspect that the
‘raised suture’ and other minute characters (as recorded) will tend
to separate the M westwoodii from its manifestly near ally.”

*M. vestitus, W oil. — Slightly under one-eighth of an inch in
length ; a rare species, and confined to the native vegetation on the
upper land.

*M. lacertosus, Woll.—A small dull black, very slight Beetle,
an eighth of an inch in length, taken from the dry stems of Lacha-
nodes leucadendron and other native trees on Diana’s Peak.

*M. dimidiatus, Woll. — A small species, apparently not much, if
at all, larger than the last, of which Mr. Wollaston writes : —
Although with abundant distinctive features of its own, in certain
respects it is slightly intermediate between the lacertosus and lucifugus,
combining somewhat the size and outline of the former with the less
opaque and more punctured surface of the latter ; yet neither in
outline nor in sculpture is it in anywise identical with either of
them. It has a faint tendency, under a high microscopic power,
to be studded posteriorly with minute cinereous pubescence. Instead
of being opaque, alutaceous, and tuberculated, like the lacertosus, it
is, as in the case of the lucifugus, faintly shining and punctured. Its
punctures, however, ai’e not so densely crowded together, or so
coarse, as in the latter species ; and its elytra (which are scarcely so
long as the anterior portion of the body) are more conspicuously
striate, and with a single row of punctures down each interstice. Its
legs are exceeding ly short, like those of the lacertosus-, and its prothorax
is very largely developed— indeed, more so, perhaps, in proportion

IN SECT A.

151

to the size of the insect, than in any of the other members of the
genus which have hitherto been brought to light.”

*M. lucifugus, Woll. — A stout Beetle, a quarter of an inch in
length, less glossy than some of the others, and passing from black
to a dull red in colour. It is certainly the most abundant species of
this genus, and occurs plentifully in the stems of exotic plants as
well as of the native gobblegheer {Psoralen pinnatct) and rosemary
( Phylica rosmarinifolia), at an altitude of 2000 feet above the sea.

*M. terebrans, Woll. — A species undoubtedly rare at the
present time, since I failed to meet with it. It was captured at St.
Helena by the late Mr. Bewicke in 1860, and Mr. Wollaston says
of it : “ In its brassy hue and shining surface it recedes from the
preceding members of the group, and assimilates those which follow;
but the fact of its tibiae being simple will at once separate it from
the whole of the latter except the M. obi iter at us and debilis. Apart,
however, from its different outline, and perhaps rather less intensely
brassy tinge, it may be known from both of these by its larger size
and by being altogether more coarsely and closely punctured. Its
elytral striae, moreover, are deeper at their extreme base, and have
the appearance at first sight of short divergent grooves.’

*M. obliteratus, Woll. — A short, thick, ovate, highly-polished
black Beetle, in general appearance somewhat resembling M. coni-
collis, but it is not found so abundantly in the Island.

^M. debilis, Woll. — A very shiny black species, about the same
length as the last, viz., one-eighth of an inch, but much thinner ;
taken from the cabbage-trees and ferns on the high land near
Diana’s Peak.

an {Justus, Woll. — Mr. Wollaston describes this as lather
larger than the last species, “ and also relatively longer, narrower,
and more cylindrical, the elytra (instead of being considerably
rounded outwards behind the middle) being very little expanded
at the sides.” It also inhabits the indigenous plants on the high
land,

*M. cossonoides, Woll.— This large, very shiny black Beetle,
taken from the native cabbage-trees on the highest land near
Diana’s Peak, is about one-third ot an inch in length, and not iery
abundant. Mr. Wollaston writes of it : “ The comparatively gigantic
size and elongated rostrum and limbs of this line Microxylobius
would of themselves suffice to distinguish it from every other

152

ST. HELENA .

member of the group which has hitherto been brought to light : and
although equally brassy with several of the other species, its general
aspect is somewhat more in accordance with the sub-family Cosso-

mdes than is the case with its numerous (and more or less eccentric)
allies.”

*M. chevrolatii, Woll. ( Acanthomerus armatus, Boheman). — This
line large species, a little less than one-third of an inch in length, is
found only in the native cabbage-trees, especially Lachanodes leuca-
dendron , on the high central land, and is somewhat rare.

"M. comcollis, Woll. — A very glossy black Beetle, with a short,
ovate, thick body, about one-tenth of an inch in length, very
abundant amongst the indigenous cabbage-trees, and also in the
rotten branches and stems of oak trees at the lower altitude of
2000 feet above the sea.

M. monilicornis, Woll. — A slightly more oblong species, but
very much resembling the last. It is equally bright, black, and
glossy, and more abundant amongst the indigenous cabbage-trees on
the high land and the exotic plants at a lower altitude.

Pentarthrum, Woll.

. *P- subcaecum, Woll.— This little blind Beetle, Mr. Wollaston
writes, possesses so unmistakable an affinity (in its five-jointed
funiculus and the general contour of its narrow, subcylindrical,
sculptured body) with the genus Pentarthrum (as known hitherto
through the P. huttoni from the west of England and the P.
cylindricum which was found by Mr. Bewicke at Ascension) that I
cannot persuade myself that it should be separated therefrom, even
whilst equally aware that its obsolete eyes and scutellum would of
themselves, tend to affiliate it rather with the little group Mesowenus,
of the Madeiran and Canarian archipelagos. Yet I feel so satisfied
that it, has more in common with Pentarthrum than with Mesoxenus
that I have preferred assigning it to the former, even should my
doing so necessitate the diagnosis of that genus being so far widened
as to embrace representatives in which (like the Mesoxeni) the eyes
and scutellum are obsolete. Perhaps, in reality, however, it will be
found desirable, in the end, to treat it as the type of a yet additional
group, combining the external aspect of Pentarthrum with the
escutellate sub-eyeless body of Mesoxenus; but as these little Cos-
sonideous assemblages are already perhaps somewhat too numerous

INSECTA.

153

I will not at present add another to their number, but will be
content to cite the very interesting weevil now before me as an
aberrant Pentarthrum in which there are no traces of a visible
scutellum, and none also (beyond the merest rudimentary puncti-
form specks — of the true existence of which I can scarcely satisfy
myself, even beneath the microscope) of eyes.

SUB-FAM. B.HYNCHOPHORIDES.

Sitopliilus, Schonh.

S. oryzee, Linn. — Mr. Wollaston writes of this small Weevil:
“ This almost cosmopolitan spotted Curculionid has apparently esta-
blished itself at St. Helena, just as it has in the Azorean, Madeiran,
Canarian, and Cape Verde archipelagos.”

SUB-FAM. SYNAPTON VC HIDES.

Nesiotes, Woll.

Mr. Wollaston says the singular little Curculionids, for the
reception of which this genus was established, “ are so remarkable
that I was totally unable to come to any satisfactory conclusion as
to their precise affinities ; but the invaluable and more recent work
of Lacordaire has given a position to the group which certainly I
had little anticipated, but which tallies well with the various details
of its structure. He regards it as related to the European 'J rack odes,
and still more so to Echinosoma of Madeira, in the latter of which
the funiculus is likewise only 5-articulate ; and he consequently erects
these three genera, together with Synaptonyx from Australia,
into a little sub-family (under the title of Synaptony chides) of his
sixteenth tribe, ‘ Tanyrkynckides! This arrangement brings it into
juxtaposition with one of the most anomalous and endemic of the
Madeiran weevils, the Echinosoma porcellus ; and it supplies anothei
instance of that curious analogy by which so many of the most
extravagant forms of these widely scattered Atlantic islands are
mysteriously bound together.”

* In a subsequent paper on the “ Genera of the CossonidaB,” Trans. Ent. Soc. 1873, Pt. IV.
Oct. p. 525, Mr. Wollaston states that this insect is a new genus, which he describes under
the name of Pseudomesoxenus, and not a Pentarthrum.

154

ST. HELENA.

*N. horridus, Woll. — The largest of the three species ; a black
Beetle, a quarter of an inch in length, and a true native of the
indigenous plants on the high land.

squamosus, Woll.— A curious little dark brown Weevil,
less shiny than the former, about an eighth of an inch in length,
found amongst dry leaves and sticks on the elevated parts of the
Island, and figured in the Journal of Entomology for Dec. 1861,
pi. xiv. fig. 3.

"N. asperatus, Woll. — A dark brown, mud-coloured Beetle,
about the same length but thinner than the last, very common
amongst dead oak leaves and rotten branches that have fallen on to
damp ground, at an altitude of 2000 feet above the sea, at Oak
Ban k, Plantation, &c. Mr. Wollaston considers these species
to be unmistakably indigenous at St. Helena, being without doubt
amongst the most characteristic of the aboriginal forms.

SUB-FAM. TRACHYPHLCEIDES.

Trachyphloeosoma, Woll.

Mr. Wollaston writes of this genus : “ The insignificant little
brown Curculionid which is manifestly one of the most indigenous
of the St. Helena Coleoptera, has so much the primd facie appearance,
in its short oval outline and the mud-like scales and setse with
which it is clothed, of a minute Trachyphlceus that it required a close
examination to convince me that it should not be referred to that
group. When carefully inspected, however, it will be seen to have
many essential points of difference ; for not only is its rostrum more
abbreviated and conical, and truncate (instead of triangularly scooped
out) at the tip, but its scrobs is likewise more bent downwards (and
that very suddenly) beneath the still smaller and less prominent eye,
from which, consequently, its lower edge is much more remote ; its
antennae also are a trifle less incrassated, and inserted appreciably
nearer to the apex of the rostrum ; and its feet have their third joint
less broadly bilobed, and their claws a little more developed. Un
the whole, I should say that it had more in common with my
Madeiran genus Scoliocerus than with Trachypllmts proper ; never-
theless, the position of its rostral grooves and its less curved scape
will of themselves suffice to separate it therefrom.”

*T. setosum, Woll.— A dull muddy-brown Beetle, about one-

INSECT A.

155

tenth of an inch in length, taken amongst dead leaves and sticks
from an altitude of 2000 to 2700 feet above the sea.

SUB-FAM. OTIOUHYNC HIDES.

Sciobius, Schonh.

*S. subnodosus, Woll. — A light brown Beetle, about a quarter
of an inch in length, very abundant, and equally destructive to vegeta-
tion on the high land. In sheltered valleys and ravines, where
there are gardens, it is most difficult to get plants to grow in con-
sequence of this creature ; it lies stupid and dormant during day-
light, easily concealing itself, because of the similarity of its colour,
in dry sticks and leaves ; sometimes under the string with which a
plant may be tied to a stick, at other times inside of a flower,
this cunning little insect finds a hiding-place until darkness comes
on, when it turns out in numbers and attacks the tender
branches of plants, generally eating the soft stem so that the young
shoots break oft’ and fall to the ground. Mr. Wollaston says : “I
have no doubt it is referable to the Otiorhynchideous genus Sciobius,
all the exponents of which, hitherto known, appear to be South
African.” And he also considers it, in all probability, to be a truly
indigenous insect at St. Helena.

Otiorhynchus, Germ.

O. sulcatus, Fab. — A Beetle very similar to the last, but nearly
twice as large and of a dark colour, almost black, with brown spots
on the back. It is not so abundant as the last but its habits are
very similar, hiding through the day and devouring vegetation at
night. It appears to be confined to the gardens on the high land,
and has a habit, the object of which I imagine to be predatory,
of indulging in nocturnal rambles in houses after lights arc
extinguished. Mr. Wollaston considers it to be the common
European O. sulcatus, which has become naturalized, as it has at the
Azores, from more northern latitudes.

Faw. Antlribidce.

SUB-FAM. A RJ30C BRIDES.

Arseocerus, Schonh.

A. fasciculatus, De Geer. — Stout, thick, dark brown Beetles,
about one-sixth of an inch in length, which, Mr. Wollaston says,

156

ST. HELENA.

“I feel almost confident are referable to the A. fasciculatus (which is
usually known in collections as the coffees of Fabricius), though I have
thought it desirable to give a careful diagnosis of them, in the event,
perhaps, of their being identified hereafter with some cognate form.
1 he insect, however, is evidently a variable one ; and there are indi-
viduals in the British Museum bearing the label ‘ coffees' which
seem in no way to difter from the pair now before me ; whilst the
fact that the species (the larva of which appears to subsist within
various seeds and berries which are used as articles of food) has
become naturalized, through the medium of commerce, in most of
the warmer countries of the civilized world, would go far to render
it probable that the St. Helena one is the true fasciculatus, and has
been established in the island (as elsewhere) by indirect human
agency.”

SUB-FAM. NOT! OXEN IDES.

Notioxenus, Woll.

Mr. Wollaston writes of this interesting genus, that “in con-
junction with Microxylobius, Nesiotes, and Trachypldoeosoma, of the
Curculionides, it is amongst the most characteristic and truly indige-
nous of the Coleopterous forms which have hitherto been detected at
St. Helena.”

*N. bewickii, Well.— A black Beetle, the largest of the species
yet known, about a quarter of an inch in length, taken from the
indigenous plants on the high land. A figure of this insect is given
in the Journal of Entomology for Dec. 1861, pi. xiv. fm. 1.

*N. rufopietus, Woll.— A Beetle with a shiny black surface,
little more than half the size of the above, taken from similar
localities by the late Mr. Bewicke, and figured in the Journal of
Entomology for Dec. 1861, pi. xiv. fig. 2.

*KT. dimidiatus, Woll.— A species little less than one-sixth of
an inch in length, and very glossy. Mr. Wollaston writes: “This
species appears to be a little more ovate, and perhaps also (on the
average) a trifle smaller, than the N. rufopietus; and it is abundantly
distinguished by its greenish-brassy, shining, and coarsely but
sparingly pubescent surface, by its greatly elevated and evidently
curved subbasal prothoracic line, and by the striae and largely-
developed punctures becoming evanescent on the posterior half of
its elytra.”

INSECTA.

157

*N. alutaceus, Woll. — A smaller species, found in similar
localities.

ferrugineus, Woll. — Mr. Wollaston writes, compared with
the others, this species “ may immediately he known by its nar-
rower and more oblong outline and pale ferruginous hue, the elytra
only being obscurely decorated with a darker suture and a more or
less interrupted and anteriorly evanescent diseal line, both of which
are sometimes barely traceable and at others conspicuous. All the
species inhabit the vegetation of the high land.

SUB-FAM. HOMCEODERIDES.

Homceodera, Woll.

Small black Beetles, taken from the vegetation on the high land,
and at first sight much resembling those last described as
Notioxeni.

*H. rotundipennis, Woll. — About one-twelfth of an inch in
length.

*H. alutaceicollis, Woll. — Very common in the oak-leaf soil
about Oaklands and The Hermitage; altitude 2000 feet above
the sea.

*H. pygmsea, Woll. — A somewhat smaller, but very similar
species, and taken with the latter.

*H. coriacea, Woll. — A very minute species, taken with the
others.

Fam. Bruchidcs.

Bruchus, Gleoffi'.

B. rufobrunneus, 'Woll. — A small, square-shaped, thick Beetle,
about an eighth of an inch in length, and ol a reddish-brown colour,
very common in houses on both high and low land, and ex-
tremely fond of getting into rice, with which it may probably have
been introduced into St, Helena. Mr. W ollaston remarks, that “ it
is peculiarly liable to accidental importation throughout the
civilized world, along with various seeds and fruits.

B. advena, Woll. — A very similar species to the other. Mr.
Wollaston says ; “ I feel it extremely likely that both of them are
natives of the same country (wheresoever that may be), and may
perhaps have become naturalized, through the medium of commerce,
in the stores and granaries of St. Helena.”

158

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Cerambicidce.

Curtomerus, Steph.

C. pilicornis, Fab. — A narrow, light reddish-brown Beetle,
of nocturnal habits, about half an inch or more in length. I
captured it on the window-blind inside of the house at
Maldivia, in the town, where it had evidently been attracted
through the open window by the light of a candle. It is not very
common, and most likely a recent importation, inasmuch as Mr.
Wollaston writes : “ It is the opinion likewise of Mr. Pascoe that it
is not truly a native ol St. Helena; for he informs me that its
proper country is the West Indies, and that it is so liable to acci-
dental transportation (I presume, along with timber), that it has
been taken alive on one or two occasions even in England.”

Fam. Lamiidce.

Coptops, Serv.

C. bidens, Fab. A large mottled brown and grey Longicorn,
from a half to two-thirds of an inch in length, and robust in pro-
portion, not common, but occasionally seen about the houses and
trees in Jamestown only. It is undoubtedly an importation into
the Island.

Fam. llaliicidai.

Longitarsus, Lat.

*L- mellissii, Wolf— Both this and the following species are
pretty, very black, and shiny little Beetles, which inhabit only the
fresh green fern and cabbage-tree foliage, on the highest land, near
Diana’s Peak. That they are purely indigenous cannot be doubted ;
and they are easily distinguished from all the other Beetles
by their power of hopping, which they exercise as readily as
the grasshopper, rendering their capture not at all easy.

'\L. helenae, Woll. — A species very similar to the other, but
about half its size.

Fam. Cassididce.

Aspidomorpha, Hope.

A. miliaris, Fab. — I did not meet with this insect, and Mr-

IN SECT A.

159

Wollaston says that he knows nothing of it beyond the mere fact
that Fabricius states it to have come from St. Helena.

Fam. Coccinellida.

. Cydonia, Muls.

*C. lunata, Fab. — The Ladybird of the Island is abundant
everywhere, but most common in the central part where vegetation
abounds and it can feed upon the aphides of the rose-bushes ; I
have nevertheless seen the larvae hanging suspended under large
rocks and stones on the barren, hot. lower land. It is a pretty little
creature, in colour generally bright red and black, but sometimes
yellow and black. Mr. Wollaston says: “Although with a wide
geographical range (it having been recorded from Senegal, the Cape
of Good Hope, Caffraria, Madagascar, the islands of Bourbon and
Mauritius, the East Indies, and Java), it was originally described
by Fabricius (in 1775) from St. Helena specimens, now in the
Banksian collection ; and therefore, whatever doubt may be enter-
tained as to the claim for specific separation of some of the extreme
states which have been ascribed to it, there can at least be no
question about the St. Helena form, which must of necessity be
looked upon as the typical one.”

C. vicina, Muls. — A species common over the African conti-
nent, as well as in the Cape Verde archipelago.

Thea, Muls.

T. variegata, Fab.' — A small pale yellow and black Ladybird,
about half the size of the other, and less common ; almost
the only examples I met with were bred from larvae which were
given to me from the grape-vines at Scotland, a position about
2000 feet above the sea. Mr. Wollaston says: “It is a species
which occurs at the Cape of Good Hope, and which was recorded by
Erichson from Angola ; and it is not improbable, therefore, that it
may have been introduced into St. Helena from perhaps the former
of those localities.”

Epilachna, Clievr.

E. chrysomelina, Fab. — Mr. Wollaston says: “ Although I have
never seen a St. Helena example of the Mediterranean F. chrysomelina,

100

ST. HELENA.

I can scarcely refuse it a place in the present memoir, inasmuch
as it was originally described by Fabricius, in 1775, from an example
i.or examples) in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, which had been
obtained in that Island.” I have not seen this insect on the Island,
but the larva; which I saw hanging to the rocks, and prickly-pear
bushes in the locality of New Ground, supposing them* to belong to
Cydonia lunaia, may possibly have belonged to this species, as it
seems to attach itself to that plant.

Fam. HopatridS.

Hopatrum, Fab.

*H. hadroides, Woll. — A brown, mud-coloured Beetle, about
one-third of an inch in length, generally covered with a thin coating
of earth. Of all the Coleoptera in the Island, this is the most

pi entiful. It is found everywhere, but inhabits chiefly the high land,
where, at Longwood and other farms, it abounds in the ploughed
and cultivated fields. I have turned over the surface soil with
my foot and exposed hundreds of these insects to view. They are
especially fond of congregating around the stems of potato plants,
and as they do not appear in any way destructive to the plant, I
imagine their object is to seek it's shelter from the heat of the sun.
Mr. Wollaston says: “The II. hadroides is very nearly akin to a
species which was taken by Mr. Bewickc at the Cape of Good Hope ;
but it is altogether rather larger, broader, and more parallel, its head
is a little wider, with the yen® more rounded, its prothorax is less
deeply scooped out in front, with the anterior angles consequently
less porrect and more obtuse, the hinder angles also are somewhat
less produced, and its shoulders are more rectangular.”

Fam. TJlomid
Alphitobius, Steph.

A. diaperinus, Kugel.— Mr. Wollaston writes of this insect :
“Judging from the specimens which were taken by Mr. Melliss,
the widely-spread A. diaperinus has become established at St. Helena,
as is the case with it in the Madeiras, Canaries, Cape Verdes, and
Ascension, and indeed throughout the greater portion of the
civilized world; but I need scarcely add that it is no more con-

INSECTA.

]G1

nected, in reality, with our present fauna than it is with that of any
other country where it has in like manner been introduced through
the medium of commerce,” It is a shiny black Beetle, about one-
third of an inch in length, and nearly half as broad as it is long ;
common about Jamestown and that locality.

A. piceus, Oliv. — A species very like the last, but only about half
the size; found in similar localities. Mr. Wollaston says, as at
St. Helena, so it has been naturalized, through the medium of com-
merce, “in the Azores, Madeiras, Canaries, Cape Verdes and at
Ascension, in which last-mentioned island it was found, in company
with the A. diaperinus , by the late Mr. Bewicke, not in houses and
amongst farinaceous substances, as we should have expected, but
‘in the dung of sea-birds, miles from habitable parts' which is
undoubtedly a singular habit for these common and almost cosmo-
politan insects to have acquired.”

Gnathocerus, Thunb.

G. cornutus, Fab. ibis reddish-brown Insect has been intro-
duced through the medium of commerce, in like manner as it has
been at Madeiras, Canaries, Cape Verdes, and Ascension. It is
common about houses and store-rooms, both in town and country,
in fact wherever flour, biscuit, and other farinaceous substances are
stored.

Tribolium, MacLeay.

T. ferrugineum, Fab. — A somewhat smaller Insect, of a
reddish-brown colour, introduced through the medium of com-
merce, as it has also been in the Azorean, Madeiran, Canarian, and
Cape Verde archipelagos. It is very common at St. Helena in
similar localities as the last species.

Fam. Tcnebrionida.

Tenebrio, Linn.

T. obscurus, Fab.— A rather large, long, thin, black Beetle,
about an inch in length, which has become naturalized in the Island,
as it has “ almost universally throughout the Azorean, Madeiran,
and Canarian archipelagos.” It is somewhat rare at St. Helena,
but is found on both high and low land, generally in straw, about

M

162

ST. SELENA.

stables and outhouses. It is quite nocturnal in its habits,
and may be occasionally captured prowling about the inside of
houses, especially near to a lighted stove or fire.

Zophobas, Blanch.

Z. concolor, "Woll. — A long black Beetle, somewhat like the
Tenebrio, but more massive, and about five-sixths of an inch in
length. It is rare, and found only in the houses in the town.

Fan. Mordellidce.

Mordella, Linn.

*M. mellissiana, Woll. — This beautiful and gracefully-formed,
reddish-brown, armadillo-shaped Beetle, about a quarter of an inch
in length, is truly indigenous. It is found only on the high land,
sometimes in decaying branches of trees, but generally at night in
houses, where, attracted by the light of a lamp, it is often seen
hopping about on the table-cloth at dinner-time.

Fam. Staphylinidce.

SUB-FAM. ALEOCHARIDES.

Homalota, Mann.

H. coriaria, Kr. — A very small hlack Beetle, about one-tenth of
an inch in length, with elytra much shorter than the body, common
about gardens on the high land, at an altitude of 2000 feet above
the sea. It is a common European species, and has established
itself also in the Madeiran, Canarian, and Cape Yerde archipelagos.

SUB-FAM. STAPH YLINIDES,

Philonthus, Steph.

P. longicornis, Steph. — A long black-hodied insect, about one-
third of an inch in length, with very short elytra or wing-covers,
common in flower-gardens and damp places on the high land, at an
altitude of 2000 feet above the sea. I took several specimens at The
Hermitage. Mr. Wollaston notes it as a common European
species, and says : “ It is recorded from the Azores by Mr. Crotch ;

INSECT A.

163

and it lias been captured abundantly by myself and others in the
Madeiran, Canarian, and Cape Verde archipelagos ; and it was met
with by the late Mr. Bewicke even at Ascension.”

Creophilus, Steph.

C. maxillosus, Linn. — Although this great creature, nearly an
inch in length, and in appearance something between a large Bee and
a Beetle, is rare, it is occasionally met with on the high land, par-
ticularly in the neighbourhood of churchyards and cesspools. Mr.
Wollaston notes it as a common European species, which has also
become naturalized in the Azores, Madeiras, and Canaries.

SUB-EAM. XANTHOLINIDES.

Xantbolinus, Dahl.

X. morio, Woll. — Mr. Wollaston writes : “The single example,
taken by Mr. Melliss, has been carefully examined by Mr. Bye, who
remarks that it is unknown to him, but might nevertheless perhaps
prove to be the European atratus of Heer. Judging from the
description, however, of that species, it would appear to be not only
smaller and blacker than the atratus, and with darker limbs, but
(as I imagine) to have its head more sparingly punctured, and the
dorsal punctures of its prothorax more numerous.”

SUB-EAM. OXYTEL1DES.

Oxytelus, Grav.

O. alutaceifrons, Woll.' — Of which Mr. Wollaston writes: “An
Oxytelus which is in some respects allied to the European O. lutei-
pennis (and less so to the 0. piceus), but at the same time differing
in many important respects from that species. It has been examined
by Mr. Bye, who considers it totally distinct from anything with
which he is acquainted.”

O. nitidifrons, Woll. — Of which Mr. Wollaston writes: “A
most extraordinary little Oxytelus, which, from its abbreviated head
and prothorax, and the fact of its antennae having the three apical
joints (rather, perhaps, than the usual seven) conspicuously
thickened, might seem at first sight almost to merit generic
separation.”

m 2

164

ST. HELENA.

Order Orthoptera.

The Earwigs, the Cockroaches, the Crickets, and the Grass-
hoppers together occupy rather a considerable place in the insect
world of St. Helena. The latter two inhabit chiefly the grassy
mountain tops of the high land and keep up their loud, shrill chirp
through the fine summer evenings, and far into the night. The earwigs
occupy much the same position as they do in England, frequenting
both fruit and flowers, hut are also found under the loose stones
which lie about the outskirts of the Island, where, in the warmer
climate, they attain a large size. Cockroaches are a terror to all
housekeepers whose fate it is to live on the low lands, indeed any-
where below an altitude of six or eight hundred feet above the sea,
where a warm climate exists, and more especially in Jamestown and
at Ladder Hill. Occasionally they make their way into the kitchens
of houses at a higher altitude, but not in large numbers. They are
the most objectionable creatures existing in the Island, and their
curiosity knows no bounds. They will crawl up a lighted candle to
see what is at the top, until burnt by the flame they beat a hasty
retreat ; they tumble into wine bottles, jam pots, get up the side of
tumblers, and in their endeavours either to see or taste what they
contain, fall headlong in without a chance of escape ; but their
most unpleasant amusement is a habit of crawling over you when in
bed and asleep at night, and peering down your throat if you happen
to have your mouth open wide enough. It is always prudent to
decant your wine in a cockroach country, as I once knew a gentleman
who thoroughly enjoyed his bottle of crusty old port until on one occa-
sion, with the last glass, out poured the porty carcase of an old grey
cockroach.

Grasshoppers are very numerous on the high central ridge
adjacent to Diana’s Peak, nearly 3000 feet above the sea, amongst
the cabbage-trees, ferns, and other native vegetation, where they seem
merry and happy enough all through the day ; those whose habitat
is amongst the grass and leaves, are in colour chiefly green, slightly
marked with black or brown ; but those inhabiting the lower portions
of the Island, %where little verdure exists, are entirely brown,
partaking much of the colour of the earth and stones of the locality.
The Crickets appear to be fully sensible of the safety afforded by

IN SECT A.

165

taking up their abode under large loose stones, for they exist in pairs
under al most every one of them.

Of this order Mr. Walker has examined twenty four species, and
he has described one half of those as new.

Fain. Forficulidai.

Forficula, Linn.'

F. flavipes, Fabr. — The common Earwig, which is very large in
size, and abundant on the high land and under stones on the out-
skirts, such as Thompson’s Wood, Dead Wood, and similar places,
also inhabits Africa.

Fam. PancMoridte.

Panclilora, Burm.

P. maderse, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 11, G. (Blatta). — A very large
grey Cockroach, which is found abundantly in houses in J amestown,
Ladder Hill, and other warm low parts of the Island. It has been
distributed over many parts of the world.

Proscratea, Burm.

P. illepida, Walk. Cat. Blatt. 185. — A large brown, flat Cock-
roach, easily distinguished by its very offensive odour. It also is
very plentiful in the houses of Jamestown and neighbouring parts, and
occurs under stones in the gardens attached to them. Mr. Walker-
says : “ It has been found in St. Domingo and in the Canaries, and
it may have been transferred by shipping from one to the other of
these places.”

Fam . Corydidce.

Euthyrrapha, Burm.

"*E. sanetse helense, Walk. — An extremely pretty and unobjec-
tionable, little black and bright orange- coloured Cockroach, generally
found under stones in the gardens ot Jamestown, Ladder Hill, and
Hew Ground. It is also sometimes found in the houses, but is not
very common. Mr. Walker gives the following description of it ; —
“Female black, oval, ferruginous beneath. Protliorax luteous along
each side. Abdomen luteous beneath. Forewings with a round
luteous spot in the disk beyond the middle ; length of the body four
lines. It has much resemblance to E. pacifica, of Barbadoes ; it is

165

ST. HELENA.

more pubescent, the antenrne are piceons instead of black, the
luteous marginal stripes of the prothorax are longer and broader, and
extend nearly to the foreborder ; the head is piceous, testaceous about
the mouth, the pectus and legs are ferruginous, and the abdomen is
luteous.”

Fam. Blattidce.

Epilampra, Burm.

*E. signatura, Walk. — A medium-sized, grey Cockroach, com-
monly found in the Jamestown houses and gardens. Mr. Walker
gives the following description of it ; — “ Female testaceous, fusiform,
shining. Head with a black band between the eyes, and with a
broad irregular brown band on the front ; eyes piceous ; antennse
brown, shorter than the body ; prothorax short conical ; a black
abbreviated and nearly interrupted stripe on each side ; an incom-
pletely scutcheon-shaped brown patch in the disk ; sides rounded.
Abdomen beneath mostly brownish, with a pale testaceous stripe
along each side. Legs short, stout ; tibiae beset with stout brown
spines. Eorewings brownish, extending nearly to the tip of the
abdomen, with a pale testaceous costal stripe, extending to half the
length from the base. Length of the body twelve lines.”

Blatta, Linn.

B. germanica, Linn. Syst. Hat. ii. 688. — A rather small, long,
thin-shaped, light-coloured Cockroach from the low land. It is rare
in St. Helena, but has been dispersed from Europe to North
America, Mexico, Ceylon, and Australia.

*B. bicincta, Walk. — A very minute Cockroach, easily distin-
guished by the stripes or bands across it. It is commonly found in
the houses- and gardens on the low land. Mr. Walker gives the
following description of it : — “ Female black, elongate, oval, smooth,
shining, with a white band on the mesothorax and with an inter-
rupted white band on tbe base of the abdomen. Antennse sub-
moniliform, rather stout, pale yellow at the base. Legs piceous ;
knees and tarsi pale yellow. Length of the body two lines.”

Periplaneta, Burm.

P. repanda, Walk. Cat. Blatt. 125. — The common red Cock-
roach is very abundant on the low land, and an occupant of most

IN SECT A.

167

houses, where it frequents the kitchens, pantries, cupboards, and
even the bedrooms. It is also found in some of the kitchens of
houses on the high land. Out of doors too it occurs, generally
under loose stones, and I have even found it amongst the rocks
in the neighbourhood of Lot, more than a mile away from any house.
Mr. Walker states that it also inhabits the West Indies, South
America, and some of the eastern isles.

P. emittens, Walk. Cat. Derm. vi. 37.

Polyzosteria, Burm.

P. latipes, Walk. Cat. Blatt. 165.— A very shiny, dark brown,
oval-shaped Cockroach, found abundantly, generally in pairs, under
stones on the low land, in the Castle Gardens and similar situations.
Mr. Walker states that it also inhabits Sierra Leone.

P. subornata, Walk. Cat. Derm. vi. 34. — A small Cockroach,
found associating with the others in the warm situations of the
Island.

*p. oniscoides, Walk. — A rather small Cockroach of a brown
colour, found associating with the others, and of which Mr. Walker
gives the following description : — “ Female piceous, dull, elongate,
oval. Read much narrower than the prothorax, extending a little
in front of it. Antenna; longer than the body. Abdomen beneath
with a testaceous band on each segment. Cerci very short. Legs
testaceous, short, stout ; tibiae with a few short spines. Length of
the body three and a half lines.”

Fani. Gryllida.

Gryllus, Linn.

G. domesticus, Linn. Syst. Rat. i. 2, 694. The Ground-
Hopper, which is found in houses. It occurs also in Europe, Africa,
and Asia.

G. capensis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 31 (Acheta). the veiy
common large Field Cricket of St. Helena, where it is found abun-
dantly in the hay-fields and grass lands of the higher parts, as well
as under rocks and stones on the lower and warmer portions of the
Island. It is one of the most familiar insects of the place, due,
perhaps, to its cheerful chirp, which is heard during almost e\eiy
evening, and sometimes through the daytime, in the woods and
fields. It is an inhabitant of most parts oi the world.

168

ST. HELENA.

G. marginalis, Walk. Cat. Derm. i. 25.— A rather small black
Cricket, tolerably abundant in similar localities to the last mentioned
species. It also inhabits Madeira.

Zaora, Walk.

bifasciata, Walk. — Known in the Island as the Ground
Hopper ; this small light brown creature takes up its abode under
stones and rocks in Jamestown and Rupert’s Valley and similar
localities where tlie climate is warmest. It is usually found in
pairs and is not very abundant. Mr. Walker gives tbe following
description of it : — “ Female testaceous, smooth. Head shining, as
broad as the- prothorax, with a large brown patch between the eyes
and between the antennae where the vertex is rounded in front and
includes a testaceous spot. Eyes not prominent. Palpi clavate.
Antennae much more than twice the length of the body. Pro-
thorax on each side wTitk a brown spot extending from the fore
border and connected by a short brown line with a brown band on
the hind border, this band extending along the hind part of each
side ; sides rounded ; fore part broadest. Mesothorax, metathorax,
and abdomen with brown marks which form three irregular stripes.
Metathorax with a brown band. Femora with brown spots. Oviduct
somewhat longer than the abdomen. Wings rudimentary. Length
of the body eight lines. The cerci and legs of the specimen described
are mutilated.”

Fam. Locusfidce.

Conocephalus, Thunb.

C. mandibularis, Charp. Hor. Eut. 106 (Locusta). — A very
large green Grasshopper, found in hay-fields and gardens on the
high land. Inhabits, also, S. Europe and H. Africa.

Fam. Acrididce.

(Edipoda, Charp.

•!'CE. obumbrata, Walk. — A thick-built, medium-sized, brown
Grasshopper, abundant in the Island, of which Mr. Walker gives
the following description : — “ Male ferruginous. Head short ; vertex
triangular and with a rim on each side in front of the eyes ; front
with four slight keels, the inner pair parallel, the outer pair

IN SECT A.

169

diverging towards the face. Antennae, not longer tlian tlie bead and
the thorax together. Prothorax with three slight keels; lateral
keels interrupted and oblique ; hind border angular in the middle.
Femora and four anterior tibia; with some black marks. Hind tibbe
pale luteous, shorter than the hind femora. Wings much shorter
than the abdomen. Forewings with some rows of indistinct brown
dots. Length of the body eight lines.”

Stenobothrus, Fisch.

*S. viridipes, Walk. — -A medium-sized Grasshopper, having a
light brown body and green legs. It ■ is abundant on the high
central ridge and adjacent slopes, at altitudes of two to three
thousand feet above the sea. Mr. Walker gives the following
description of it : — “ Male testaceous. Plead slightly ascending ;
front mostly or wholly black. Antennae black, as long as the body.
Prothorax mostly overspread with black, this hue including some
variable testaceous marks on each side ; lateral keels slightly inclined
inward. Legs green ; tarsi tawny ; hind femora vivid green ; hind
tibiae pilose, with black spines. Forewings cinereous. Length of
the body six to six and a half lines. This and the following species
are distinguished from the Stenobothri previously described by their
long antennae.”

*S. annulicornis, Walk. — One of the dark black-and-brown
Grasshoppers which are common in the Island, and of which Mi-.
Walker gives the following description : — “ Male black. Head and
prothorax with a broad testaceous stripe on each side. Head with
a transverse testaceous mark on the hind border above ; a fusiform
furrow between the eyes ; front with a testaceous spot and with two
anterior testaceous bands, the second rounded on the foreside and
abbreviated. Antennae black, somewhat shorter tlian the body ;
each joint with a testaceous band. Prothorax with some testaceous
patches on each side, and with a testaceous dentate band on the
hind border; lateral keels partly testaceous, slightly curved inward.
Abdomen testaceous beneath. Four anterior femora with black dots.
Hind femora with black patches on the outer side. Wings some-
what shorter than the body. Fore wings blackish, this hue including
several small testaceous marks ; a broad cinereous streak along tlie
outer part of the costa ; a row of black dots in the disk. Length of
the body nine lines.”

170

ST. HELENA.

' S. undulifer, Walk. — Another of the numerous Grasshoppers,
a medium-sized, variegated brown one, of which Mr. Walker gives
the following description : — “ Male testaceous. Head above and
disk of the prothorax luteous. Head slightly ascending, with a
nearly linear furrow between the eyes ; front with four slight keels.
Antennal black, somewhat shorter than the body, tawny at the base.
Prothorax on each side, with a large black patch, which emits an
undulating black line to the foreborder. Pour anterior femora with
some black marks; hind femora with a ramose black streak on each
side. Wings much shorter than the abdomen. Forewings with
three rows of black spots. Length of the body eight and a half
lines.”

*S. vittifer, Walk. — Another medium-sized Grasshopper, of a
brown colour, which is described by Mr. Walker as follows : —
“ Male brown. Head and thorax with a testaceous stripe. An-
tennal much shorter than the body. Prothorax with a black stripe
on each side of the testaceous stripe ; lateral keels curved inward, a
large pale testaceous patch on each side. Abdomen and legs tawny ;
hind femora green beneath, with a short black streak on the outer
side. Spines of the hind tibiue with black tips. Wings cinereous,
much shorter than the abdomen. Forewings with a row of brown
dots in the disk. Length of the body eight lines.”

There are doubtless other species of Grasshoppers inhabiting the
high lands, which would well repay the attention of any future
collector.

Tinaria, Stal.

*T. calcarata, Stal, Eug. Eesa. 338, pi. 5, f. 8.

*T. sanctae helenae, Stal, Eug. Eesa. 338.

Order Neuroptera.

This order, though small in numbers, is represented by the
White Ant, and is, perhaps, on that account, one of the most im-
portant in the list. It contains one native species only.

Fain. LibellulirfcE.

Libellula, Linn.

L. sp. ? . — The common large red-bodied Dragon-fly, which

is abundant all over the Island.

INSECT A.

171

Fam. Hemerobiidce.

Chrysopa, Leach.

C. congrua, Walk.— One of the green Lace-wing- flies. In-
habits also West and South Africa.

C. vulgaris, Selineid. — Another species.

*C. exul, M'Lach. — A very beautiful pale-green gauze or Lace-
wing-fly, a native found in hay-fields and flower-gardens on the high
land, hut not very abundant. Ent. Mon. Mag. vol. vi. p. 23. 1869.

Fam. Termitida.

Termes, Linn.

T. tenuis, Hagen. — White Ants, as they are called, were intro-
duced into the Island, in the year 1840, in some timber from
a slave-ship captured by H.M. cruisers on the West Coast of
Africa, and sent to St. Helena for adjudication. The identical spot
where this timber was deposited in the town is pointed out to this
day, the whole population of the place having good reason to
remember the surreptitious entrance into their camp of an enemy
such as Termites have proved. The species was supposed to be of
African origin, until, three years ago, I brought some specimens to
England, and, through the kindness of Mr. H. W. Bates, it
was identified by Mr. M ‘Lachlan as one peculiar to tropical
America : as many of the slavers were Brazilian vessels, it is easy to
understand how both timber and Termites originally came from
that quarter. After their appearance in the town, a quarter of a
century passed by without much evidence of the tenible work of
destruction in which they were engaged. It was known that they
were eating books, furniture, papers, and clothes, with occasionally a
beam or two in the houses, but no one entertained the idea that in
an additional five or six years their houses would be in ruins and an
expenditure of 60,000/. at least imperatively necessary to recon-
struct them. Such, however, has happened. Public and private
interests have alike suffered to a large extent, and the whole
colony has been taxed beyond its powers merely to replace what a
few years before it possessed.

It was a melancholy sight five years ago to see the town, which
had hitherto not been without its claims for admiration, devastated as

172

ST. HELENA-

by an earthquake, or, as a visitor remarked, a state of siege — the
chief church in ruins, public buildings in a deplorable state of
dilapidation, private houses tottering and falling, with great timber
props, butting out into the streets and roadways, meeting the eye
at every turn, and astounding the stranger by a tale of some awful
risk incurred merely when walking along the pavements ; while the
Governor in his council-chamber, the Chief Justice, and other
officials, were accessible only through a labyrinth of fir-poles and
old ship-planking set on end to prevent ceilings falling on their
heads, or, worse still, whole buildings collapsing around them. Many
valuable lives of illustrious visitors were, during that period, risked
in climbing over temporary galleries or propped-up floors, merely
to show the usual respect tor the Governor by an official call.

lennes tenuis is the most voracious species I have ever heard
or read of, its whole object in life seeming to be destruction.
It spares none of its time for domestic arrangements, or the con-
struction of those curiously- formed homes, in the shape of hillocks or
mounds, with which other species amuse or occupy themselves in
the desert plains of tropical Africa and elsewhere. It is true it
inhabits the ground, but it has other motives for being there than
mere home arrangements, and does not indulge in a queen, that
enormous fat creature, the care of whom devolves upon her
subjects, and of whom we read, with reference to other species, that,
if she escapes being eaten by black natives, she lays an innumerable
quantity of eggs and then dies.

The St. Helena Termites are fragile little creatures, of a dirty-
white colour, about one-third of an inch long, and succumb imme-
diately on exposure to bright sunshine. In proportion to about ten
of the workers there is one armed with a formidable pair of red
forceps, an eighth of an inch in length, which is called a soldier.
This creature superintends the work done by the others, and acts
the part of a sentinel, giving immediate notice throughout the band
or colony of the approach of danger. It is most curious to watch
them at work building a tunnel or covered passage by which to
travel from one spot to another, .for they do everything under cover,
and nothing by the broad light of day. The work proceeds by
pellet after pellet of a sticky, brown, mud-like matter, which they
employ, being added round the edge from the inside, and moistened
to make it adhere to the rest. Occasionally, as a worker deposits

INSECT A.

173

his pellet and retires, up bobs tlie great bead and red forceps of a
soldier, as it were from a watch-tower, for a geneial view around,
to see that all is right, and, il it is not so, bis excitement becomes
very great. Illustrative of this, and the rapidity with which they
communicate to each other, I placed some books paitly eaten by
them in the middle of a teak window-seat. In four days they con-
structed a tunnel along the angle formed by the window-seat and
frame, for a length of about five feet, communicating with the pile
of books by two branch tunnels, each four inches long. They worked
away busily at each end prolonging the tunnel, about an inch of
that last executed being moist similar to newly-mixed mortar.
Workers were running out in the direction of the proposed exten-
sion of the tunnel, and returning without any apparent result, until
a closer observation showed that they were conveying back with
them minute fragments of debris fallen from the books, no doubt to
be remasticated and converted into fresh mortar to help on the
progress of the work ; and thus these little engineering builders
worked on until I broke the branch tunnels, and almost instanta-
neously the workers at each end of the main tunnel, more than
two feet distant, were withdrawn, and the red forceps of an excited,
soldier protruded, showing plainly that injury of the branch tunnels
and imminent danger to the whole colony was in a moment, as if by
electricity, telegraphed throughout the whole line of work. On the
same occasion I also tested their perseverance, for they continued
to repair the damage I repeatedly caused to their work, through
several days, before abandoning the locality.

Like other species they swarm in a winged state, when each insect
is provided with four narrow, fawn-coloured, gauzy wings, about twice
as long as the body. They generally fly at night, after rain, in the
months of December and January, I believe as soon as they emerge
from the eggs ; when they settle and pair together they wriggle
off their wings and enter either the ground or anything that is near
and suitable to their taste. The conditions almost indispensable to
them are, heat with moisture, darkness, and perfect stillness, so that
they rarely attack doors, window sashes, or things that are fre-
quently in motion. What they love best is a water cask in a suuny
place, or the massive tiebeam of a building, into which they enter
by one or two small holes no larger than pins, heads, and trouble no
one until the whole collapses in a cloud ol dirt and dust, perhaps

174

ST. HELENA.

bringing down the building with it* Their manner of attack is
generally, in the first instance, through the ground'; they ascend the
interior of walls, mortar, lime or even a soft building stone
forming no barrier, and enter any woodwork that is in contact with
them ; sometimes they travel up the outer surface of a wall or iron
column under cover of their tunnels, which are about one-eighth of
an inch in diameter ; it is probable that they employ this plan when
their object is to reach some article, which they could not
attain from the inside of a wall ; by means of these tunnels they
have been known to get into a valuable ship’s cargo, which, stored
upon iron floors and not nearer to any wall than eight or ten inches,
was thought to be safe from them ; they simply crossed over the
spaces between the walls and the bales of goods by carrying their
tunnels suspended horizontally from point to point like tubular
bridges.

Nothing escapes their marvellously instinctive powers ; furniture,
clothing, paper, merchandize, all share alike, and, with a few hours’
quiet, they will make themselves just as much at home inside of a
sack of rice or sugar as anywhere else ; their partiality for the sta-
tionery m the Engineer office was remarkable, and, after various un-
successful attempts to secure it from them, I felt certain an iron chest
would preserve it ; but not so, they ate the putty from the seams of
the chest, and gained an entrance. There are few things that they
will not get through by some means or another, if there is any-
thing to be got on the other side that suits them ; the ingenious
manner by which they gain access to preserved meats, sardines,
and vegetables, shows that they will even make their way through
metallic substances. They deposit on the iron or tin case, some-
where out of sight, a mass of wet, muddy looking stuff, which
soon corrodes it sufficiently for them to penetrate to the inside ;
probably there is something in the chemical composition of this
stuff that hastens decomposition of the metal. Smeathman relates
that a party of Termites once took a fancy to a pipe of fine old
Madeira, not for the sake of the wine, almost the whole of which they
let out, but of the staves, which, however, may not have proved less
tasteful from having imbibed some of the costly liquor ;f but this is

# A specimen of one of the beams removed from a public office durin"
of Jamestown may now be seen in the British Museum.

t Ihe Iropical World, by Or. G. Martwig.

the reconstruction

IN SECT A.

175

little compared to the bacchanalian achievements of the Termites
at St. Helena, which first destroy the metallic capsules from bottles
of champagne and Bass’s ale, and then the corks.

They seem to possess a particular mode ot torment for others as
well as the householder and the merchant, for the contractor finds that
before he can complete the upper portion of a building, they attack the
lower, disfiguring his lately-plastered fabric with blisters formed by
pushing the lime before them in their exit from the newly-built walls.
The shopkeeper also, who, proud of his trim and well-arranged goods,
reaches down from its shelf a box of Hutch toys, is horrified to find
it contains nothing more or less than a mass of dirt and dust.

Not only do they destroy property, but also necessitate consi-
derable loss of labour, in the constant removal of goods from place to
place to avoid them. Upon one occasion I saw a man employed
for days sorting iron and copper brads and tacks which had become
indiscriminately mixed together; it appeared that they had been
made up in small paper packets, and placed in a barrel, but the
Termites had destroyed every atom of the paper.

They sometimes desert certain things and places for others more
suited to their tastes, but seldom before they have wrought utter
destruction, and they scarcely ever quit a house, while there is any
juice or sap left in it, or until it is reduced to a mere shell, literally a
shell, because they will eat away the whole of the wood from the in-
terior, leaving only the unbroken coating of paint wherever it is thick
enough to support itself. As the demolition of a building approaches
completion, their work manifests itself somewhat suddenly. In the
year 1860, when His Boyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited
St. Helena, the reception room at the castle was in sufficiently good
order for him to hold a levee, and for a Governor s ball on the same
evening : six years afterwards it was a complete ruin !

Amongst other valuable property, they devoured a con-
siderable portion of the books of the Public Library, showing a
decided preference for theological literature, very probably because
such works generally remain longest untouched on bookshelves.
They enter a book by very minute holes, destroy every atom of the
interior, without showing any sign of their presence, and then depart,
leaving the binding and gilt or marbled edges of the leaves appa-
rently as perfect as when new.

The suddenness with which their operations are sometimes

176

ST. HELENA.

revealed is attended with a good deal of danger and surprise. On
a calm fine day, a couple of policemen standing at the Court-house
door, with as great an appearance of dignity as St. Helena police-
men can possess, were quite unnerved by the antics of a staid old
Margossa tree in full foliage, which, long a shelter from 1 the sun’s
heat, suddenly fell to pieces and prostrated itself around them —
on examination it was found that Termites had completely hollowed
out the stem and branches nearly to the bark.

The destruction of the town became a matter of such grave im-
portance, and the necessity for rebuilding with other materials than
those similar to what the insects had destroyed so evident, that
many valuable experiments were tried with various materials, at the
•instigation of the then Governor, Admiral Sir Charles Elliot, K.C.B.,
and the results, affording much useful information, are embodied in
a published official report. Numerous timbers and various com-
positions were contributed from different parts of the world, but
the Termites at St. Helena devoured most of them excepting teak
timber, cedar, Brazilian yellow-wood, timber of the tree called
Cunnwghamia lanceolata, and creosoted deal. There were also some
very hard, close-grained timbers from South America and Africa,
which they would not touch, but the cost of working them, together
with other reasons, rendered it impracticable to use them at St. Helena.
Of the compositions tried, creosote alone defied them, but the diffi-
culty of getting timber completely impregnated with it has been ex-
perienced at St. Helena as elsewhere. Teak has been most gene-
rally used in reconstructing the town ; at present the Termites only
bore through it ; what they may do, if they remain at St. Helena,
which I am inclined to doubt, after the teak has well dried and there
is no timber which they like better, remains to be seen.

It is extremely fortunate that these insects have so far been con-
fined to the town and its neighbourhood, and have not penetrated to
the country or high land ; this may in a great measure be attri-
buted to the fact of their having been introduced on the leeward side
of the Island, and their inability in their migration by flight to make
progress against the trade wind, rather than to their dislike for a
colder climate. Their habit being to occupy the earth, they might
descend to a considerable depth, so long as any vegetable matter
exists in the soil, and thus continue to live in much colder climates
if once sufficiently established.

INSECT A.

1 77

Order Hymenoptera.

The Ichneumon Flies chiefly represent this order, and Mr.
Walker considers that they are new, but advises the publication of
descriptions to be deferred. Out of thirteen insects which he has
examined in this order, eight are indigenous to the Island.

Fain. Poneridce.

Pheidole, Westw.

P. pusilla, Westw. — The common, small, red Ant is identical
■with the house Ant of Madeira, and is also found in London.
Without exception it is the most abundant insect at St. Helena,
where it exists in swarms on both high and low land. Most houses
are plagued with it, more especially in wet weather, when it
is driven indoors. It attacks everything and even finds its way
into beds, hats, brushes, and clothing. Out of doors it exists in
colonies under stones on barren land, where it is difficult to dis-
cover what it feeds upon. A colony generally consists of five
distinct forms of inhabitants. First, there are large numbers of
the ordinary-sized ants or workers ; second, a lesser number of
larger ants, about one-third of an inch long ; third, a lesser number
again of still larger ants, about half an inch long, which appear to
be females ; fourth, a moderate number of winged ants ; and fifth, a
large number of transparent white eggs or larvae. When one of
these settlements is disturbed, the small ants or workers rush about
most frantically, each laying hold of and carrying away one of the
larvae. There is another species which appears to be confined to
the town ; it is slightly larger, quite black, and more active in its
movements.

Fain. Spfiegidce.

Ampulex, Jur.

A. compressa, Fabr. — This most brilliant green, blue, and red
Fly is rather abundant in the summer months, on the low land about
Jamestown, where it feeds upon cockroaches. It is common in
India and Ceylon, but at St. Helena is erroneously called Spanish
Fly, for it is a green beetle and not a fly at all that supplies the
cantharides for blisters. It inhabits, also, E. Africa, Mauritius,
Hindostan, China, and Java.

N

178

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Apidce.

Apis, Linn.

A. mellifica, Linn. — About thirty years ago, the common
Honey Bee was very abundant, and chiefly wild, in the Island. It
swarmed and entered old rat holes, holes in the rocks, and even the
roofs of houses, getting in between the ceiling boards and the
covering. It almost suddenly disappeared about eighteen or
twenty years since, but whether its destruction was occasioned
by the persecution met with through boys smoking it to death
in order to obtain the honey, or the Death’s-Head Moths robbing
it of its honey, or some other cause, has not been ascertained.
It was re-introduced about six years ago, and is again becoming
wild about the rocky outskirts of the Island.

Fam. Fvaniadce.

Evania, Fabr.

E. laevigata, Latr. — A black, bob-tailed Fly, inhabiting the
warm low lands of Jamestown, Ladder Hill, &c., where it is likely
to meet with cockroaches, as it selects those creatures as a living
depository for its eggs. As this curious little insect is very
much less objectionable than the Cockroach, and is not very
abundant, the St. ITelenians, especially the residents of Jamestown,
would do well to encourage it. It may often be seen crawling over
the trunks of trees in Maldivia gardens, and even in the houses in
the town and at Ladder Hill. It inhabits, also, many parts of
Africa and of Asia.

Fam. Iclineumonida.

Ichneumon, Linn.

*1. maeulifemur, Walk. — A black-bodied Ichneumon Fly, the
body being four to four and a half lines in length. This as well as
the following species is somewhat commonly found on the high
land, inhabiting damp places. My specimens were taken at The
Hermitage, where, amongst the Moon plants, they fly about during
the day time and evening in considerable numbers.

*1. diffinis, Walk — Another black-bodied Fly, but smaller in
size, measuring only four lines.

INSECT A.

179

*1. latipes, Walk. — A still smaller species, having a shiny black
body, measuring only two and three-quarter lines in length.

Cryptus, Fabr.

*0. triangulifer, Walk. — An insect very similar to the last, and
about the same size, with a black body. The specimens were taken
with the Ichneumon hies.

Pimpla, Fabr.

*P. sanctse helense, Walk. — A large black-bodied Ichneumon
Fly, perhaps more abundant than any of those before mentioned.
Frequently it is seen in houses at night, and generally about gar-
dens on the high land as evening approaches. The length of the
body is from five and a half to seven and a half lines, and it is easily
recognised by its being the largest of those flies which have a black
body. It selects the large green caterpillars of Plusia aurifera in
which to deposit its eggs ; and many chrysalides which I watched
with much care, hoping to see the rightful occupant emerge, yielded
only one of these troublesome creatures.

Paniscus, Grav.

*P. pieeus, Walk. — A large red-bodied Ichneumon Fly, more
abundant still than any of the aforementioned. The length of the
body is from seven to nine lines. On the high land, at night, these
flies come into the houses in considerable numbers and behave in a
very disagreeable manner ; they dash into your face with unpleasant
force, and I have often seen them extinguish the flame of a candle
by tumbling into it one on the top of another, until they literally
choke it out.

Fam. Braconidts.

Alysia, Latr.

A. eephalotes, Hal. — An extremely minute Ichneumon Fly,
taken at The Hermitage on the high land, and not abundant. It
also inhabits Madeira.

Fam. Chalcidias.

Pteromalus, Swederus.

*P. ipsea, Walk. — A small green Fly, taken by Mr. Darwin
from the high central land, and, with the following species, described,
by Mr. Walker in his “ Monographia Chaleiditum,” vol. ii. p. 97,

n 2

180

ST. HELENA.

Cirrospilus, Westwood.

*0. nireus, Walk. — A species about the size of a pin’s head.

Order Lepidoptera.

The varied hues of the St. Helena landscape need little to add to
their brilliancy, or the almost entire absence of Butterflies would be
more striking. There are but four species in the Island, and they
have all been imported. With the Moths it is quite different.
They abound, as is evidenced not only by their own presence, but
by the multitude of their large and small caterpillars or larvae, which
cause so much destruction to garden plants. There is one of them,
known as the common black grub, which at certain times literally
swarms in the earth, and proves as formidable an enemy to the
farmer and the gardener as they are likely to meet with. Most of
the Moths are nocturnal in habit, and sometimes, attracted by a
light, come into a room in such numbers as almost to extinguish
the flame of a candle. Mr. Walker has identified forty-three species,
of which he has described twenty as new to science.

Fam. Nyrnpludidm.

Danais, Latr.

D. chrysippus, Linn.— The Asclepias Butterfly is the largest
and most showy, and is very common in the warm parts of the
Island, where it is evidently attracted by the Asclepias bushes, upon
which its beautiful black and yellow caterpillars feed, and from which,
like handsome eardrops, its bright green and gold pup® or chrysa-
lides are suspended.

Hiadema, Boisd.

D. bolina, Linn. — Black-and-white Butterfly, of which only a
few exist on the low warm land about Jamestown, where it asso-
ciates with the Asclepias Butterfly.

Pyrameis, Hiibn.

P. eardui, Linn. — The common, ubiquitous, Painted Lady, or
orange and red Butterfly, is one of the most abundant, frequenting
all parts of the Island, but chiefly the gardens on the high land.

IN SECT A .

181

Its black and yellow, very hairy caterpillar is not very destructive,
as it confines itself to mallows, nettles, and other weeds.

Fam. Ly canid <z.

Lycsena, Fabr.

L. bcetica, Linn.— The small blue Butterfly is the most abun-
dant everywhere, especially on a damp sunny day, which appears to
suit it best. I have not met with the larvae anywhere but in
the pods of green-peas ; though they must feed elsewhere, as this
vegetable is scarcely sufficiently cultivated to account for so large a
number of the butterflies.

Fam. SpUing idee.

Chaerocampa, Dup,

C. eelerio, Linn. — This widely-distributed creature, known as
the Brown Hawk Moth, with red wings, is not very common in the
Island ; but its large green or brown larvae, or caterpillars, are very
destructive to the grape-vines, devouring the young shoots and
leaves immediately they are put forth in the spring months of
October and November. They very quickly destroy every vestige
of foliage on a large vine.

Acherontia, Ochs.

A. atropos, Linn. — The Death’s-Head, or, as it is commonly
called, the Fernando Po Moth, is said to have first appeared in the
Island in the year 1835, and was afterwards very plentiful until
1854, when it disappeared almost simultaneously with the Honey
Bee, to which it was a troublesome enemy. As many as five or
six would inhabit one hive, getting access to it in spite ol all pre-
cautions to keep them out, and would feed upon the honey as well
as destroy the Bees. Whether they were instrumental in extermi-
nating the Bees or not, it is difficult to ascertain, but both disap-
peared at the same time.*

Fam. Leucanidce.

Leucania, Ochs.

L. extranea, Guen. — A large light-brown Moth, about three-

* The Honey Bee was re-introduced a lew years ago. and it is a remarkable fact, that this
moth has just (1874) reappeared in the Island, after an absence of twenty years.

182

ST. HELENA.

quarters of an inch in length, with dark, longitudinal markings, and
a white spot on each wing ; rather abundant on the high land,
where it flies into houses at night, two or three at a time. The
larva is the large fat brown caterpillar, which is so very destructive
in gardens. The chrysalis is of a mahogany colour, generally buried
without much protection under the surface of the soil, and chiefly
under grass borders of flower beds. It inhabits also North and
South America, Tlindostan, Australia, and New Zealand.

L. punctosa, Treit. — A pale grey Moth, about an inch in
length, with a small white spot in the centre of each wing, and a
double row of small black spots along the extremities of the
wings. The caterpillar is smooth, in colour light brown, with dark
brown (approaching to black at each joint) and nearly white longitu-
dinal markings. When about to change to the chrysalis it conceals
itself under stones. Inhabits also South Europe.

F am. Orthosidce.

Anclioscelis, Gfuen.

*A. insularis, Walk. — Of this native Moth, Mr. Walker gives the

o

following description : — “ Male brown, cinereous beneath. Front
with two' black bands. Palpi porrect, hardly extending beyond the
head; third joint conical, less than one-fourth of the length of the
second. Antennae minutely pubescent. Abdomen and hindwings
cinereous, the former crested near the base. Forewings with three
irregular undulating double transverse lines ; first line very near the
base ; second antemedial ; third postmedial ; orbicular and reni-
form marks white, of the usual form. Hindwings brown about the
exterior border. Length of the body six lines ; expansion of the
forewings fifteen lines. Female ochraceous, stout. Palpi porrect,
not extending beyond the head; third joint minute, short-conical,
not more than one-sixth of the length of the second. Abdomen
brown ; apical tuft ochraceous. Forewings, with the orbicular mark,
represented by a whitish, blackish-bordered point, which is contiguous
to a black zigzag transverse line ; reniform, represented by a narrow
black lunule whose disk is of the ground colour; an exterior white
blackish-bordered zigzag line, which forms the inner border of a
brownish band, whose outer border is incompletely blackish ;
underside with a blackish disk, excepting a space which includes

IN SECT A.

183

tlie orbicular and reniform marks, which are black and very large.
Hindwings with a dark-brown lunule in the disk, and with a very
broad dark-brown marginal band ; fringe cinereous. Length of the
body seven lines ; expansion of the forewings eighteen lines. It is
easily recognised by its brick-red colour, with brown and white
markings, and dark-brown silky underwings. I be caterpillar is of
an opaque green, or light brown, or flesh colour, marked with very
fine longitudinal lines, and very slightly hairy ; it measures about an
inch and a quarter in length, and usually feeds upon geraniums and
other garden plants on the high land. The chrysalis is of a light
mahogany colour.

Farm. Noctuidce.

Agrotis, Ochs.

A. obliviosa, Walk. — This Moth inhabits also South Africa, but
it almost seems to be a native of the Island. It is of a brown colour,
measuring about three-quarters of an inch in length ; the outer wings
are marked transversely, with one or two dark-brown waved lines
and several large spots ; the under wings much resemble white silk ;
the legs are darlc-brown spotted with white. Its larva is the
common blue or black garden grub, which is such a pest to farmers
and gardeners. It lives in the soil, and destroys whole fields
of vegetation. When changing to the chrysalis (which is of a light
amber colour) it envelopes itself in a coating of earth, the exterior
of which somewhat resembles a small walnut, the cavity inside being
spacious and perfectly smooth. General Beatson made a series of
careful experiments with these grubs, which he found to be entiiely
vegetable feeders, so that the best mode of ridding the land of them
is to starve them by a clean fallow during the warm dry weather.
These exceedingly troublesome creatures are not, however, without
their natural enemies, as I discovered after having kept several of them
in a box for a week. They shrivelled away, and a small brown ovule
forced its way through the skin from the inside of each, which, in
about three weeks, developed into a species of fly somewhat like the
common house fly.

*A. pallidula, Walk.— Of this native, Mr. Walker gives the fol-
lowing description : — “Female pale fawn colour. Body whitish
beneath. Antennae slender. Palpi obliquely ascending, not rising
to the height of the vertex, densely clothed with short hairs ; third

184

ST. HELENA.

joint elongate-conical, about one-fourth of the length of the second.
Antennae slender. Femora broadly fringed ; hind tarsi spinulose
beneath. Forewings with the orbicular and reniform marks black,
of the usual form ; a blackish undulating line extending from the
reniform to the inner border ; two black points between the orbicular
and the base, one towards the costa, the other towards the inner
border; a broad pale-brown dentate band, with a darker outline,
between the reniform and the exterior border. Hindvvings with a
brown lunule in the disk and with a broad, dark-brown marginal
band., Length of the body eight lines, of the wings twenty-one
lines.” It is easily recognised by its pale brick colour, with one black
spot on each wing.

Fern. Apamidce.

Apamea, Ochs.

subvelata, Walk. — This native is described by Mr.
Walker as follows: — “ Male ferruginous brown, stout, cinereous
beneath; palpi porrect, hardly extending beyond the head ; third joint
short conical, about one-sixth of the length of the second ; antenna?
minutely setulose. Abdomen with a large ochraceous apical tuft.
Fore wings with the orbicular and reniform marks of the usual form;
orbicular cinereous patch very large, black- bordered ; reniform patch
large, black-bordered ; an exterior zigzag transverse black line which
approaches very near another zigzag black line between the reniform
and the inner border, a less distinct submarginal zigzag black line
and a row of marginal black points. Hindwings with a continua-
tion of the exterior line and with a black mark in the disk ; fringe
white ; underside and that ot the forewings with similar markings.
Length of the body seven lines ; expansion of the forewings sixteen
lines.” It is easily distinguished by its very dark-brown colour.

Prodenia, Gluen.

P. testaceoides, Guen — A variegated brown and white Moth,
about three-quarters of an inch in length. The upper wings are
brown, irregularly veined with white ; the underwings are silky,
almost white, with a very slight pink tint. The caterpillar is a large
fat brown one, about an inch and a half in length, marked more or
less with jet black and bright yellow spots in two longitudinal rows
down the back. It is very abundant on the high land, destructive to

IN SECT A.

185

vegetation, and, when about to change into its mahogany-coloured
chrysalis, crawls into the earth, concealing itself under grass flower-
borders, &c. It also inhabits Mauritius, Hindostan, and Ceylon.

Caradrina, Ochs.

*C. indieata, Walk. — This Moth is very rare, and appears con-
fined to the highest land. I obtained but two or three specimens
at The Hermitage only. It is a stout-built creature, about three-
quarters of an inch in length, of a pale grey colour, with a small
black spot on each wing.

Tam. G'onopteridce.

Cosmophila, Boisd.

C. indica, Guen. — A medium-sized Moth, in colour orange and
brown, which, attracted by the light of a lamp or candle, comes into
houses at night. It inhabits also Africa, S. Asia, and Australia.

C. xantliindyma, Boisd. — A beautifully-coloured Moth, dark
brown and deep orange, and a handsomer species than the last. I
obtained one specimen only, from Scotland, on the high land. It
inhabits also W. Africa, N. Hindostan, Ceylon, and Australia.

Tam. Tlusiidce.

Plusia, Ochs.

P. aurifera, Hiibn. — A good-sized Moth, in colour light reddish-
brown, with golden wings, very commonly seen hoveling about
flowers in the dusk of evening, and occasionally in houses after
lamps or candles are lighted, both in Jamestown and on the
high land. The caterpillar is the emerald green one, about an inch
and a half in length, which is so very destructive in gardens. When
changing, it selects a green leaf, turns back the edge and encloses
itself in a finely spun web. The chrysalis is at first green but
changes to black, and frequently produces, instead of the moth, an
Ichneumon fly ( Pimpla Sanctce Helena), which appears to select
the caterpillar as a place of deposit for its egg. It inhabits also
Teneriffe, Senegal, S. Africa, Madagascar, Hindostan, Ceylon, and
Java.

P. limbirena, Gucn. — A medium-sized, dark brown, bull-headed
Moth, with a peculiar silver mark on each wing. It is very abundant,

1S6

ST. HELENA.

and commonly flies into houses at night after lamps are lighted.
I he chrysalis is usually found enveloped in a web and concealed
under stones, ,or attached to the underside of green leaves of plants.
It inhabits also Abyssinia, S. Africa, and Madagascar.

Fam. Ophiusidce.

Achsea, Hiibn.

A. melicerta, Drury. — A very large, dark brown-and-wliite
Moth, sometimes called the Peach Moth from its habit of perforating
ripe peaches. It is one of the largest found in the Island, but
not very abundant, and is generally seen on the low land in
Jamestown, sometimes flying about during the daytime. Its larva
is found on trees and plants in the Botanical Gardens. It is a
looper caterpillar, about two inches in length, with six legs at
the head, eight a little further back than midbody, and two at the
end. It is of a flesh-colour, finely marked and speckled with black,
the underside being lighter than the back. The body is smooth , the
head black and white in colour, and very hard and hairy. It has
two hard spikes, forming a reddish bifid sort of tail. In the middle
of the foremost loop, on the back, is an oblong black spot with three
white spots along its margin. The front legs are hard and shiny,
the others are soft and divided into two at the foot. When changing,
it encloses itself in leaves united together with web, and produces
a rather stout mahogany-coloured chrysalis, about an inch and a
quarter in length, which at first is coated with a flesh-coloured
bloom.

Ophiodes, Guen.

O. hottentotta, Guen. — A large Moth about the size of the
last-mentioned, but yellowish in colour. It is very rare, and I
only met with some fragments of the wings amongst the grass
near Oaldands, until I was leaving the Island, when a friend
gave me two larvae or large brown caterpillars ; these I kept in a box
through their several changes, and obtained specimens of the moths.
The caterpillar and chrysalis both resemble those last described.

Fam. Acidalidce .

Acidalia, Treit.

*A. separata, Walk. — This exceedingly pretty, little grey Moth,

IN SECT A.

187

with beautifully-marked wings, frequently flies into houses at night,
and alights on the walls or ceiling of a room. It appears to
inhabit the high land, and I have often seen it at The Hermitage.
Mr. Walker gives the following description of it : — “ Female hoary,
minutely speckled with black. Head with a narrow black band
between the eyes. Palpi black, obliquely ascending, not rising to
the height of the vertex ; third joint extremely minute. Abdomen
above tinged with brown, except along the hind border of each seg-
ment. Wings mostly tinged with brown ; each with a black dot in
the disk and with an exterior undulating oblique white line which
is partly and broadly bordered with blackish-brown on the inner
side ; marginal lunules black. Underside cinereous ; a very broad
space along the exterior border shaded with brown and including a
hoary undulating line. Length of the body four and a half lines ;
expansion of the forewings eleven lines.”

*A. atlantica, Walk. — An equally beautiful but somewhat
smaller species than the last, with similar habits. The following is
the description by Mr. Walker: — “ Male and female hoary, minutely
speckled with black. Head black, except the vertex, which is white.
Antennae of the male testaceous, thickly setose. Wings with a black
dot in each disk ; four zigzag oblique and undulating brown lines ;
first line near the base ; second close to the outer side of the dot,
more faint than the others ; third and fourth parallel and near to
each other, at half the distance between the dot and the exterior
border ; marginal lunules black. Underside with similar but less
distinct markings. Var. B. white ; the space between the third and
fourth lines brown, and thus forming a band which is bordered with
black on the inner side. Length of the body three and a half to
four lines; expansion of the forewings ten to eleven lines.”

Fam. Fidonidce.

Sterrha, Hiibn.

S. saeraria, Linn. — This very pretty, pale-vellow or almost
white Moth, with brown bands across the wings, is not very abun-
dant; but on a damp sunny day I have seen it in considerable
numbers flying about amongst the short grass near Cleugh’s Plain.
It inhabits also South Europe, North Africa, West Africa, South
Africa, and Hindostan.

1S8

ST. SELENA.

Fam. Herminidce.

Herminia, Latr.

''H. rectalis, Walk. T obtained but two specimens of this
beautiful, soft, light-brown Moth, which were lying concealed, along-
side of stones of the same colour, in the garden at The Hermitage.

The following is the description which Mr. Walker gives of it:

denude pale, cinereous fawn-colour, pale cinereous beneath; palpi
smooth, slender, compressed, curved, reflexed over the head ; third
joint lanceolate, shorter than the second ; forewings, with two
indistinct undulating slightly darker lines, one antemedial, the
other post medial ; a more exterior straight white, slightly oblique
line, which appears faintly on the pale cinereous hind wings ;
length of the body six lines; expansion of the forewings fifteen
lines.”

Fam. Fyralidce.

Pyralis, Linn.

P. farinalis, Linn. A very pretty Moth, in colour light-brown,
in length about three-quarters of an inch, with geometrical mark-
ings on the wings. It is somewhat rare, and on the high land occa-
sionally flies into lighted rooms at night. It inhabits also Europe,
North America, Madeira, South Africa, and Australia.

Fam. Asopidce.

Hymenia, Hiibn.

H. recurvalis, Fabr. — A small dark-brown Moth, with white
bands across the wings. The most abundant species of all. I have
seen these moths literally swarm into lighted rooms at night, and
extinguish the flame of a candle by choking the wick with their
bodies. They are found at Ascension Island, and also inhabit
the West Indies, South America, West Africa, Turkey, Hindostan,
China, Australia, and New Zealand.

Fam. Margarodidce.

Phakellura, L. Guild.

P. indica, Suund. A small Moth, having white wings with

INSECT A.

189

deep brown borders; occasionally seen hovering around lighted
candles in houses at night, both in Jamestown and on the high
land. It inhabits also Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Fam. Botyda.

Botys, Latr.

B. abstrusalis, Walk.— A dark-brown, medium-sized Moth;
inhabits also Ceylon and China.

B. creonalis, Walk. — A small whitish Moth, with waved
brown markings on the wings. Not very abundant, but sometimes
seen in lighted rooms at night on the high land. It inhabits
St. Domingo.

B. oedipodalis, Gruen. — A very beautiful, large, pure white
Moth, very rare, but occasionally seen during the daytime, or early
evening, in the neighbourhood of Southens. Inhabits also the West
Indies and South America.

Scopula, Schr.

S. ferrugalis, Hiibn. — A small-sized, dark-brown Moth, the
larva of which is a small transparent pale-green caterpillar, about
three-quarters of an inch in length, the head slightly marked with
brown, and having sixteen legs — viz., eight in the middle, six near
the head, and two behind. It is uncommon, and the specimens I
obtained were taken from a common yellow marigold bush growing
at an altitude of 1800 feet above the sea. When about to undergo
change, the caterpillar assumes a primrose tint, envelopes itself in
leaves bound together by web, and turns into a small mahogany-
coloured chrysalis, about one-third of an inch in length. It
inhabits also Europe and Madeira.

*S. delineatalis, Walk. — A small brownish Moth ; a native,
of which Mr. Walker gives the following description -.—“Female
pale cinereous ; forewings, with two broad irregular brown bands,
one antemedial, the other postmedial, and forked in front, each
intersected by a zigzag white line, the second of these forked in
front; a brown line along the exterior margin, bordered on the
outer side by a white line, which is accompanied by black points ;
orbicular and reniform marks, blackish. Length of the body
three and a half lines ; expansion of the forewings nine lines.”

190

ST. HELENA.

Meyna, Guen.

M. rusticalis, Hiibn. This brilliant orange-coloured Moth is
somewhat rare, but, on a sunny day after mist or rain, may be seen
flying about amongst the tufts of cow-grass on the highland in
tim neighbourhood of Scotland and The Hermitage. It inhabits

Fam. Scoparidce.

Scoparia, Haw.

*S. . nigritalis, Walk.— A small, long, dark-coloured Moth, which
Mr Walker describes as follows : — “ Male and female blackish;
abdomen hmdwings, and underside cinereous, shining; forewings
neat the base with a cinereous band, which is irregularly bordered on
both sides with deep black; orbicular and reniform marks, an exterior
undulating transverse line and marginal dots deep black; length of
the body three lines; expansion of the fore wings eight lines.”

S. lucidalis Walk— A Moth which flies into the houses
abundantly at night. The following is Mr. Walker’s description of
it ..-“Female silvery whitish; forewings with two deep black
irregular bands, and with three deep black exterior patches • first
and very near the base; second antemedial ; first patch costal and
postmedial ; second near the interior angle, third costal and subapical •
exterior border with deep black dots; length of the body four lines •
expansion of the forewings ten lines.”

Fam. Fhycidce.

Nephoteryx, Zell.

*N. private, Walk.— A long, thin, dark-coloured Moth, which
Mr. Walker describes as follows Female cinereous, with a very
s ight testaceous tinge, pale cinereous beneath. Forewings with a
s ightly darker spot, which extends from the costa to the disk at
a little beyond one-third of the length from the base. Hindwings
white, semihyalme. Length of the body three and a half lines ; ex-
pansion of the fore wings eight and a half lines.”

Fam. Tineidce.

Tinea, Linn.

~*U urse^’W^-— Mr- Waiker describes this species as follows :
Male and female brown, cinereous beneath ; head with a thick,

INSECT A.

191

short, erect tuft ; palpi stout, curved, ascending, a little longer than
the breadth of the head; second joint with a short thick tuft be-
neath; third nearly as long as the second; antennae slender, a little
shorter than the body ; abdomen and hindwings cinereous ; tarsi
blackish, with whitish rings ; forewings on the costa and in the
disk with several black dots, which are variable in number and in
size. Length of the body five to six lines ; expansion of the tore-
wings twelve to thirteen lines.” These long, thin, brown Moths
are very abundant, and many other species doubtless exist in the
Island.

*T. binotatella, Walk.— The following is Mr. Walker’s descrip-
tion of this species : — “ Brown, shining, cinereous beneath ; front
broad, rounded ; palpi as long as the breadth of the head ; second
joint clavate ; third shorter than the second ; hind tibiae with a
long, thick tuft of hairs ; forewings with a black spot in the disk
at somewhat beyond two-thirds of the length. Length of the body
three lines ; expansion of the forewings nine lines.”

The larva of this moth is well known in the Island as the Potato
Worm. It is a small, translucent, maggot-like creature, of a dirty-
whitish hue, marked with four longitudinal rows of small brown
spots, and having a few long fine hairs on its body. In length it
varies from a half to three-quarters of an inch. The head is hard,
and of a chocolate-brown colour, and the little creature moves back-
wards quite as easily as it does forwards. It abounds in the
Island, and is a thorough pest to the potato crops. Either the eggs
are laid in the potatoes, or the larva enters them in an early stage
of its growth, and, through its depredations, render’s them quite
unfit for food. When changing to the pupa state, it wraps itself
up in a strong web, in the form of a close, tough envelope, and the
chrysalis is of a light mahogany colour, with the positions of the
wings and legs, even in its early stage, strongly marked longitudi-
nally down the outside of the case or skin.

*T. subseneella, Walk. — Another native species, of which Mr.
Walker gives the following description: — “Cinereous. Head,
thorax, legs, and forewings above aeneous brown; palpi rather
stout ; second joint with a short fringe ; third shorter than the
second. Length of the body three lines ; expansion of the forewings
seven lines.”

192

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Plutellid'E.

Plutella, Scbr.

P. cruciferarum, Tell.— One of those very minute Moths which
are so abundant in the Island.

Cerostoma, Latr.

C. anticella, Walk. — A long, thin Moth, a native of the

Island, of which Mr. Walker gives the following description:

“ /Eneous brown, shining, silvery -whitish beneath ; head palpi
above, and a broad stripe on the thorax, all very white; palpi
lanceolate, fringed beneath, longer than the breadth of the head ;
forewings with an elongated transverse black spot in the disk
before the middle, and with a round black spot in the disk
beyond the middle. Length of the body three lines ; expansion of
the forewings eight lines.”

Fam. Gelechidce.

G-elechia, Hiibn.

*G. Sanctse helenas, Walk.— A long, narrow, whitish Moth,
which Mr. Walker describes as follows : — “Male and female cinereous,
smooth, shining; head, thorax, and forewings pale fawn colour;
front broad ; palpi longer than the breadth of the head ; third joint
much shorter than the second ; forewings without any markings.
Length of the body four to five lines ; expansion of the forewings
eleven to fourteen lines.”

*&. ligniferella, Walk. — A somewhat smaller species than the
last, also described by Mr. Walker : — “ Pale, cinereous ; head thickly
tufted above; palpi ascending; second joint subclavate; third elongate-
conical, less than half the length of the second ; thorax with three
brown stripes ; fore wings with some brown lines and with one
black line, which extends from the base ; exterior part with several
brown streaks. Length of the body four lines ; expansion of the
fore wings ten lines.”

Fam. Lithocolletidce.

Lithocolletis, Zell.

*L. aurifascia, Walk. — An extremely minute and very beautiful
Moth, of which Mr. Walker gives the following description : — “ Steel-

INSEOTA.

193

colour, silvery beneath forewings, with a broad gilded silver-bor-
dered band beyond the middle. Length of the body one line ; ex-
pansion of the forewings three lines. The state of the specimen
recorded will not allow a more minute description.”

Cnemiostoma, Zell.

*C. auronivea, Walk. — Another of those very small native Moths,
which Mr. Walker thus describes: — “Pure white; front broad,
rounded ; eyes black ; palpi decumbent ; forewings gilded from one-
third of the length to the tips. Length of the body one line and a
half ; expansion of the forewings four lines.”

Fam. Pterophorida ?.

Pterophorus, GeofFr.

P. rutilalis, Walk.— -This yellow Plume Moth is not common,
but is occasionally found hovering over flowers in the gardens on the
high land. I captured one or two specimens of it in the lily flowers,
and also amongst the honeysuckle blossoms at The Hermitage. It
also inhabits Natal.

Platyptilus, Zell.

*P. subnotatus, Walk. — A grey Plume Moth, easily recognised
by its similai-ity at first sight to a large Mosquito. It is very rare,
and I obtained one specimen only, which was taken at The
Hermitage on the high land. Mr. Walker describes it as follows:
— “ Hoary antenna? and legs white ; forewings with three black
costal dots near the tip and opposite to three more which are near
the interior border. Length of the body three lines ; expansion of
the forewings six lines.”

Order Diptera.

One of the most largely represented Orders, and that which the
visitor in the summer months, especially if fresh from Europe, will
not fail to become acquainted with in less than twenty-four hours
after arriving at the Island. The Mosquitos are certainly not either
abundant, large, or voracious, but in every respect troublesome
enough to cause a sleepless night, and a firm resolve not to pass
another in the place without the aid of mosquito curtains. The day
mosquito, which is, however, the most voracious, and which produces
large blisters on every part of the body to which it can gain access,

o

194

ST. HELENA.

is entirely confined to the lower lands in Jamestown and at Ladder
Hill. The niglit mosquito, which is very abundant all over the
Island, is in appearance like an English gnat. It comes into houses
in clouds during the hot months, and it is questionable which is the
most distressing, its sting or the noise it makes ; hut I certainly
prefer the latter.

On a hot summer’s day in Jamestown, one is frequently re-
minded of the plagues of Egypt, at least of one of them, visions of
which forcibly appear. I do not suppose that the Island is equal to
most hot climates in this respect, but the inhabitants of Jamestown
certainly receive their fair share of punishment from the swarms of
flies which take possession of their houses during certain portions of
the year, from January to March.

Out of the following twenty-seven species, which were submitted
to Mr. Walker, it seems probable that ten, which are yet unde-
scribed, may be new and peculiar to the Island.

Fam. Pulicidce.

Pulex, Linn.

P. irritans, Linn. — The habits and customs of this insect are
much the same at St. Helena as in other parts of the world, and, as
they are so generally known, little need here be said concerning
them. When it takes possession of a vacated house or cottage, as
it often does, a sure mode of destruction to it is to strew the floors
with branches of wild mint. P. canis is also abundant.

Fam. Mycetophilidce.

Leia, Meig.

L. Sanctae helense, Walk. — A Gnat-like Ely inhabiting the
high land. Mr. Walker remarks that “ the description of this and
of the other species is deferred in order that their affinities with other
species may be more examined.”

Fam. Chironomidcc.

Cliironomus, Meig.

*C. sp. ?_
*C. sp. ?’

Two species, the specimens of which Mr. Walker says
were too much injured for description. They are Gnat-
like insects, which fly about in damp situations on the
high land during the evening time.

INSECT A.

195

Fam. Culicidce.

Culex, Linn.

C. pipiens, Linn. — The common night Mosquito, which swarms
in the Island during the summer months, more especially in the
neighbourhood of streams or stagnant pools.

C. formosus, Wied.— The day or spotted black and white
Mosquito, which is entirely confined to the low land. It enters
houses, and Hies about silently during the day-time, when it makes
its unsuspected attack, and, often settling on the bald head of some
hardworked official, raises a large blister before its presence is
detected. It is not so abundant as the other species. Mr. Walker
says:— “It inhabits Sierra Leone. C. inexorahilis, Walk., may be
identical with this species.”

Fam. PhlebotomidcB.

Psychoda, Latr.

*P. sp. ? — A very minute Ply.

Fam. Tip dido;.

Limnobia, Meig.

*Jj. Sp. ? — Which Mr. Walker says is nearly allied to L. atlantica.
It is a large grey Daddy-long-legs. Both this and the following
species are very abundant, and at night-time come into the houses

on the high land in considerable numbers.

/ Two other species of Daddy-long-legs ; one almost
black, and the other a small grey one; both are

^•Sp- A abundant on the high land, where they come into
SP' • houses at night, and hover round lighted lamps and

xandles.

Fam. Si/rplidai.

Eumerus, Meig.

*E. sp.?— A short-bodied, thick-built Ply, somewhat like a
common house-fly.

E. ingens, Wied.

196

ST. HELENA.

Syritta, St. Farg.

S. pipiens, Linn. A long, thin, black Fly, with yellow rings
round the body, somewhat like a miniature wasp; occurs very
plentifully in the Island, and, during the day-time, may he seen
hovering around garden plants, especially fennel bushes, both on the
high and the low lands.

S. spiniferella, Thoms.

Fam. CEstrida.

Grasterophilus, Leach.

G. equi, Linn.— The common Bott-fly, best known in the
Island as the Horse or the Donkey-fly. It is not very abundant,
but most annoying to both horses and donkeys, which become
almost frantic when one of them is near. The latter animal, in its
endeavours to escape from one of these insects, has been known
to fall over a precipice and break its neck. Horses become
almost unmanageable when attacked, or even long before, as they
seem instinctively to know when a bott-fly is near. Upon one
occasion the horse I was riding jumped about the road in a ridiculous
manner lor some minutes before I could detect the immediate
presence of one of these flies. I endeavoured to get away from it
by a smart gallop, but in vain; there it was alongside of us imme-
diately we stopped. After dismounting, it was near half an hour
befoie I was able to capture it, which at last I accomplished by a
blow of my riding-whip. That identical specimen, though some-
what mutilated, is the one which has been examined by Mr.
Walker. I never saw a horse more frightened than on this
occasion ; it trembled from head to foot, and seemed fully to
undei stand what had happened when the creature was killed.

Fam. Tachinidce.

Tachina, Fabr.

*T. sp. ? A medium-sized Fly, somewhat resembling the
common house-fly. Mr. Walker has deferred giving a description
of this insect.

INSECT A.

197

Fam. Muscidae.

Sarcophaga, Meig.

S. hsemorrhoidalis, Fall.— Not unlike the common House-fly,
but having a body striped throughout with black and white.

Callipliora, Desv.

C. vomitoria, Linn.— The Blue-bottle Fly is very abundant,
and as great a nuisance in houses as it is in other parts of the wor .

Musca, Linn.

M. emoda, Walk. var. ?-Somewhat like the common House-fly,
but having a bright green, glossy body. It is abundant about

stables and dung-beds. M. emoda inhabits Egypt.

M. corvina, Fabr. — -Very much resembling the common House-
fly, but smaller. .

M. domestica, Linn.— The common House-fly is plentilui

throughout the Island, and almost as numerous and troublesome
in Jamestown, during the summer months, as it is probably in any
part of the world.

Stomoxys, Geoft.

S. calcitrans, Linn. — Somewhat like the House-fly, but having
whitish bands across the body.

Fam. Anthomyida.

Anthomyia, Meig.

A. lardaria, Fabr.— A House-fly, larger in size than the
common one.

Fam. Scatophagida.

Scatophaga, Meig.

S. stercoraria, Linn.-A yellow Fly, a little larger than the com-
mon house-fly, abundant on the high land. It lurks about the leaves
of garden plants, occasionally coming into houses m search ol its
prey, Musca domestica. It darts upon its victim, clasping it hr inly
in its legs, and a tremendous struggle ensues ; both fall to the
ground, spinning round and round and buzzing loudly ; in most

198

ST. HELENA.

cases the prey is secured, but sometimes it escapes, leaving the dis-
appointed enemy exhausted with his warlike exertions. In a
similar way it attacks S. merdaria.

S. merdaria, Fabr. — Both this and the last species are the
common Dung-flies of Europe; they are very abundant along the
roads and in the fields at St. Helena.

Fam. Geomyzidce.

Drosophila, Fall.

*D. repleta, Walk.— An extremely small Fly, very abundant near
streams of water, and in wet marshy places. It is sometimes so
plentiful in such localities as to produce a sensation of choking, when

you inhale them in the act of breathing. It is general throughout
the Island.

Fam. IEppoloscida:.

Hippobosca, Linn.

. H- equina’ Linn.— Known as the Horse-fly. This insect is rare
m the Island. Mr. Walker says “ Perhaps II. variegata is a
variety of this species.”

Order Hemiptera.

Hie Bugs are not largely represented ; one very characteristic
species is, however, as well known in St. Helena as in most parts of
the woild. Aphides are very abundant, many of them occurring
upon the native vegetation, and therefore well worthy of the atten-
tion of future collectors.

Eight species of this Order have been examined by Mr. Walker ;
two are described as natives, and it is probable that two others may
also prove to be so.

Fam. Pentatomida.

Ehaphigaster, De Lap.

R. prasinus. A large green, garden Bug, whose disagreeable
odour soon denotes its proximity. It is found in most gardens both
on the high and low lands.

INSECT A.

199

Fam. Acanthidce.

Acanthia, Fabr.

A. lectularia, tinn—The common Bed Bug, found everywhere,
excepting where cleanliness prevails.

Fam. Saldidce.

Saida, Fabr.

*S. sp. ?— A black, plant Bug, taken from native vegetation on the
high land.

Fam. Fulgoridce.

Cixius, Latr.

*C. Sanctse helenee, Stal. — A brown Bug or Beetle-like creature,
capable of considerable hopping power, found in gardens on the high
land.

Issus, Fabr.

I. coleoptratus, Fabr.

Fam. ApMdidce.

Aphis, Linn.

* A sp P— Taken from the branches and leaves of the native Bed-
wood trees growing on the high land, and described as Allows by
Mr. Walker “ Wingless, brown, very convex, a little lon&e
than broad; antenme, nectaries, and legs pale; antenme muc
shorter than the body; nectaries very short; legs rather short.
Winged, green , head, antenna,, disk of thorax, nectanes, tars, and
tips of femora and of tibia, black. Sice of A. rumm, and very like it

“ S Many* other species of aphides exist in the Island which have
not yet been collected.

Fam. Cocci da;.

Coccus, Linn.

C. cacti, Linn.— Notwithstanding several introductions of the
Cochineal insect, and there being an abundance of the prickly -pear

200

ST. HELENA.

pants upon which it feeds, it does not appear to succeed in the
Island. It was. reintroduced a few years back, but a few only of
'c insects remain, and these, about two years ago, were at Maldivia

C. sp. ? A white insect, which covers the stems and branches
ol the apple tree and ultimately kills the plant. In appearance it
much resembles the Cochineal, but is smaller, and produces no dye

Order Mallophaga.

For assistance in identifying the few insects which live as para-
sites on birds taken at St. Helena, I am indebted to the late Mr.
Henry Denny.

Fam. Philopteridce.

Docopliorus, Nitzsch.

D phaetoni, Denny. -A small insect taken from the feathers of
the Tropic Bird.

Lipeurus, Nitzsch.

__ L; Procellaris9> Denny.— An insect from the feathers of the
Whale Bird (Procell aria glacialoides ).

H. sp. ?

Fam. Acanis.
Hypoderas ?

Order Tiiysanura.

,T <?ne solitary representative of this Order has been detected by
Mr. Walker. J

Fam. Lepismidce.

Lepisma, Linn.

„ Sp; ?~rihlf creature is best known by the appellation of " The
Mackerel Moth. ’ It is abundant all over the Island, and most
destructive to books, clothes, papers, &c. It is generally found in
ouses, but I have also seen it amongst the barren rocks on the
sea coast, at Egg Island and in its neighbourhood.

MYRIAPOD A.

201

CLASS II. — MYRIAPODA.

The small Wire Worm and the Centipede are perhaps the best
known of this class : the former is very troublesome and destructive
to all root-crops ; the latter, though its bite is said to be severe, is
seldom seen, but it inhabits old timber yards, old stone walls, and
similar places in Jamestown, Rupert’s Valley, Lemon Valley, Ladder
Hill, and the low land along the northern side of the Island. It is
never seen inland, but may generally be found under loose stones on
the warm barren portions of the Island in the localities above
mentioned. In size it averages about 3 to 4 inches, but in some in-
stances attains as great a length as 7 or 8 inches. Mr. Walker
identifies ten species under this class, as follows :

Fam. Scolopendrida.

Cermatia, Hardw.

C. coleoptrata, Linn. — Inhabits also the South of These ex-
France, and along the Mediterranean coast. ' tremely
C. rubrolineata, Newp. — Inhabits also N. Africa. elegant
little creatures, known as “ Thousand Legs,” are very abundant, both
on the high land and in Jamestown, where, during the evenings,,
they may often be seen venturing out of their hiding-places, and
crawling over the walls or ceiling of a room in search ot moths and
flies.

Scolopendra, Linn.

S. angusta, Lucas.— It is quite probable that on a further inves-
tigation, two species of Centipede may be found in the Island. Mr.
Walker states, in reference to the specimen submitted to him, as
follows: — “It does not seem to differ from 8. leachii, Newport, a
West African species. S. leachii is the 8. morsitans of Leach, not
the 8. morsitans of Linn., which is a South American species. The
Egyptian 8. canidens , of Newport, is nearly allied to 8. angusta.”

Lithobius, Leach.

L. forficatus, Linn.— A dark-red creature, about two inches in
length, resembling in form a small Centipede, very abundant on
the high land in gardens, earth banks, under stones, in old stems

202

ST. HELENA.

of trees, and such like
European species.

places. It is apparently the same as the
Cryptops, Leach.

C. hortensis, Leach.— A very thin Millepede, about two inches
or more in length, and red in colour • very abundant in gardens on
the high land, where it is found in the earth, under stones, under
the bark of decaying tree-stumps, and similar damp localities.

Craspedosoma, Leach.

C. sp. ? A thick-built Millepede, about an inch or somewhat less
in length, and very abundant. It is easily recognised by its peculiar and
disagreeable odour, and its habit of coiling itself into a small circular
roll. It is of a dark reddish-brown colour, and almost white under-
neath. The legs are very small and numerous. It is pretty general
in the Island, and one of the most abundant insects on the high
land, where in moist localities it swarms, especially under old boxes
and decaying woodwork. In some of the houses situated in damp
places, like The Hermitage, this creature comes into the rooms at
night, and crawls about the floors in considerable numbers, causing
a very unpleasant sensation when crushed under foot. Mr Walker
says of this species, that it “differs from C. rawlinsii, and from C
polydesmoides, of the Mauritius.”

Greophilus, Leach.

G. longicornis. A very long, thin Millepede, about two inches
or more in length, and of a pale colour, almost white. It is some-
what abundant, and is found on the high land in similar places as
Cryptops hortensis.

Fain. Julidce.

Julus, Linn.

J. pulchellus, Leach. — The Wire Worm, well known as one of
the most destructive insects in the Island to all root-crops. It is
very abundant.

( Two species, larger and thicker than the common Wire

J. sp. ? Worm, and found in all gardens on the high land. Mr.

J. sp. ? Walker says in reference to them — “Perhaps not
European, though very like some of that Continent.”

CBUSTACEA.

203

CLASS III.— CRUSTACEA.

Mr. Spence Bate, E.R.S., has very kindly examined and named
my collection of Marine Crustacea ; and Mr. Walker has done the
same with the land species, in conjunction with the insects. The
former includes two species, which are nsed as a substitute for lob-
sters, and afford an excellent article of food, whether eaten plain,
curried, or in salad. The various Crabs, some four or five in number,
which occur along the rocky sea-coast, have yet to he investigated.

PoDOPHTHALMIA.

Order Beach yura.

Yaruna, Mine. Ed.

*V. atlantica, Spence Bate. — A pretty little bright-blue Crab,
of which I saw only one specimen, which was taken from the hull of
a ship anchored in the roadstead.

Oeder Anomura.

Dromia, Eab.

*D. vulgaris, Mine. Ed. — The Sponge Crab, so greatly re-
sembling a piece of sponge that no difficulty exists in recognising
it. It is only occasionally found ; inhabits also the Mediteiranean.

Pagurus, Eab.

*p. bernhardus, Reaumur. — The Hermit Crab is occasionally
found washed up on the sea-shore, inhabiting some shell to which it
has no legal claim.

Order Macrura.

Scyllarus, Eab.

*S. latus, Eatr. — A large shell-fish, called The Stump. It is
caught in shallow water at 15 to 20 fathoms, in considerably large
quantities during the months of November to January, and sold
in the market at Zd. or Ad. apiece. The mode of catching it is
with a trap made of four hoops and split bamboo, somewhat after
the plan of a gigantic mouse-trap, several feet in length, and 18 inches

204

ST. HELENA.

in diameter, and baited with albicore heads. The Stump is able to
crawl in at either end, but not to make its exit again.

Palsemon, Fab.

*P. forceps, Mine. Ed. — The Prawn is not common, but I have
seen several very fine specimens brought up from the sea on the
leeward side of the Island by fishermen’s tackle and boats’ moorings

iD '

Palinurus, Fab.

*P. sp. ?— The largest shell-fish that occurs at the Island, and
knovvn as “ The Long Legs.” It is not so plentiful as the Stump,
and is taken in deeper water with hook and line instead of bamboo
traps. It is an exceedingly good substitute for the lobster, and
therefore is in great demand.

Order Stomapoda.

Squilla, Fab.

*S. stylifera, Lamarck. — A long reddish-coloured Crustacean,
about three inches in length, and half an inch in diameter, taken
occasionally in deep water. It is sometimes found adhering to
fishermen’s tackle.

Edriophthalmia.

Order Amphipoda.

Orchestia, Leach.

O. platensis, Kroy . — These little black, hopping creatures in-
habit the land as far away from the sea as they possibly can. They
keep to the central mountain parts, where, in the gardens, millions
of them are to be found. One has only to turn over a sweet-william
or carnation plant to get a sight of dozens of them, hopping and
tumbling about like mad creatures. They take but a short time to
stow themselves away and hide after bei ng once disturbed. They
appear to be very harmless in every way.

Order Isopoda.

iEga, Leach.

*2E. sp. ?— Known best in the Island as “ The Sea Cockroach.”
This creature is not unlike a large white woodlouse ; it is not

CRUSTACEA.

common, but is occasionally taken from deep sea by means of
fishermen’s tackle and boats moorings.

Ligia, Fabr.

L. aquatica, Oliv. — A large Woodlouse, inhabiting damp places,
and also the outskirts of the Island, where it lives under stones, &c.

Porcellio, Latr.

P. scaber, Latr. The small garden Woodlouse, which is abundant

on the high parts of the Island. In gardens it is one of the most
common insects, and frequently finds its way into houses which are
in damp situations.

Oniscus, Linn.

O. asellus, Linn. — A medium-sized, Woodlouse, found abun-
dantly in association with the last-named species.

Order Cirripedia.

Ooronula, Lam.

*C. balsenaris, Gmelin. — A parasitic creature found firmly
attached to the backs of turtle.

Clielonobia.

*C. caretta, Spengler. — A small parasitic creature which is com-
monly attached to the shells ol crabs.

Lepas. Linn.

*L (Pentelasmis), anatifera, Linn. — Barnacles are fre-
quently cast ashore with logs of wood, &c„ which, by floating in the
sea have become covered with them. Old wine-bottles are some-
times washed up so thickly covered by them as to hide almost every
portion of the glass. At all times they may be picked up adhering
to something or other, on Sandy Bay Beach, on the windward coast.

Balanus, Lam.

*B. tintinnabulum, Linn.— Masses of hard, barnacle-like shells,
one built upon the top of the other, known as Sea Acorns, frequently
washed on shore on the windward side of the Island.

206

ST. HELENA.

n addition to the marine Crustacea above mentioned, there are
several lands of crabs. That known locally as the “ Purple Eock” or
I eeimg Crab,” is found on the rocks at water-mark, and is much
sought for by fishermen, who consider it the best bait for catching
fish The common “Black Crab” is much more abundant, and
exists in thousands along the sea coast, where, on the hard lava
rocks, in colour very similar to its own, it may be seen scram-
mg about as crabs only can scramble, in and out of the creeks and
holes into which the surf dashes. A somewhat small bright orange-
red coloured crab is very rare, but one specimen was brought to me
jom Breakneck Valley, on the leeward side of the Island. The

. -^urPle band Crab” is also uncommon,- it has very large claws, and
is taken occasionally in deep water.

CLASS IV. — ARACHNID A.

Although doubtless there are still more to be found with careful
search, there are not many Spiders in the Island ; those, however
which have been brought to light form a very interesting portion of
its fauna, since nineteen species out of forty which have been col-
lected have been pronounced by the Eev. 0. P. Cambridge, who has
examined and described* my several collections, and to whom I am
much indebted for other kindness and ready assistance, to be new
to science, and, as such, I do not think it would be too presuming
to conclude, also indigenous to the place. Of the remaining twenty-
one species, nine are indigenous to Great Britain, two European, five
Egyptian, two Algerian, two from Ceylon and India, and one from
East Central Africa. These have all most probably been introduced
through the medium of commerce and the introduction of plants in
Wardian cases. Mr. Cambridge says, in reference to the charac-
teristics of this portion of the Island fauna, after his final examina-
tion of the several collections, that " The European stamp observed
upon in regard to the spiders of the former collection is thus equally
marked in those now recorded and described.”

It is worthy of note that the native spiders are, almost as a rule
least abundant now in the Island ; in each case where I met with
only one specimen it turned out to be a new species. It is therefore

Proceedings of Zoological Society, London, Nov. 25, 1869, and March 4, 1873.

207

abachnida.

not at all improbable that, like the native plants and the snails which
we know are fast disappearing, some having gone entirely, the
spiders, for some cause or other, are also yielding up tlieir native

land to foreign invaders.

There are but two species of Scorpion, and they are not abun-
dant ; they are both introductions, and to Mr. Cambridge I am in-
debted for their identification as well as that of a small pseudo-
scorpion of which I found only one specimen, and that in the neig -
bourhood of some very old dry-looking law books m the Supreme
Court House. Whence he came remains yet to be ascertained j what
he was doing there will probably never be known.

Order Scorpionidea.

Fam. Scorpionides.

Lyckas, C. Koch.

L americanus, C. Koch.— A small brown Scorpion, with rather
a long tail, inhabiting the hot, barren, rocky outskirts of the Island ;
found in damp situations under stones and old timber, and very
rarely in the town houses. It is not sufficiently abundant to cause
inconvenience, and never reaches the high land ; most probably it
has been introduced through the medium of commerce.

Li. maculatus, C. Koch.— A species which associates with the
other, and is scarcely distinguishable from it, though smaller in size.

Fam. Pseudo-scorpionida.

Chelifer, Geofir.

C sp S’— A minute brown creature resembling a scorpion without
a tail! found inhabiting some dry rubbislr behind the Court House,
in the Castle gardens on the low land. It is very rare.

Order Araneidea.
Fam. Filistatidce.

Tilistata, Latr.

»F condita, Cambr.-This Spider, which is peculiar to St. Helena,
has been described and figured by Mr. Cambndge in “ Proceed. Zool.

. Mr. Cambridge ha. ltindly promised to ask Dr. L. Keek to ea-ine this .p«~

208

ST. HELENA.

Soc., March, 1873, p. 211, pi. xxiv. fig. 1. “It is of a dull whitish
drab-yellow colour, clothed sparingly with coarsisli brown hairs,
and marked on the hinder half of the upper side with a series
of four or five strong and well-defined transverse angulated bars or
chevrons of a dull rusty reddish colour, the apex of each one (except
the foremost) running into the one before it.” As Mr. Cambridge
only discovered one specimen in my collections, and that a female
not yet adult, it certainly is a rare species.

Farn. Dysderidce.

Dysdera, Latr.

D. crocota, C. Koch (Z). rubicunda, 131. ). — This fleshy, red-
coloured spider is easily distinguished. It is rather abundant on
the high land, where it appears to spin no web, but a couple are
almost certain to be found under every large-sized stone in the
country gardens and neighbourhood of old buildings. It is indi-
genous to Great Britain.

Segestria, Latr.

S. senoculata, Walck. — Indigenous to Great Britain.

S. perfida, Walck. This large black Wall-spider, which Mr.
Cambridge says he has met with in Corfu, and that it has been
taken once or twice in England and is common in Spain, is very
abundant both in the town and on the high land. It spins its
tubular nest between the joints of stones in walls, opening out to
the suiface of the wall in a funnel-shaped aperture. It is
fond of stables, outhouses, cellars, and such like places, but is fre-
quently caught prowling about the inside of houses after dark, never
seeming to come out of its hole during the day-time. It fights des-
perately with its own species, and thus affords considerable amuse-
ment, to the street-boys, who are very fond of indulging in a “ spider
fight, to witness which schoolboys will even risk the penalties of
escaping from church during the time of service.

Fam. Drassidce.

Gnaphosa, Latr.

*G. lugubris, Cambr.— This rare native Spider, of which I was
only able to capture one specimen, is described and figured by

A BA CJl-NTDA .

209

Mr. Cambridge, “Proceed. Zool. Soc.” March, 1873, p. 212, pi. xxiv.
f. 2, who describes the abdomen to be of a narrow, oblong-oval
form, of a black colour with a somewhat silky bottle- greenish reflec-
tion in some positions, well clothed with hairs, and having four
indistinct pale dots, forming nearly a square, near the middle of the
upper side.

Clubiona, Latr.

*C. dubia, Cambr. — A small liver-coloured Spider, inhabiting the
high land, often found inside of lily and other flowers, and generally
amongst plants in gardens, where it seems to prey upon some
kind of fly or moth which is partial to such localities. It generally
comes out of its abode at night, and may then commonly be seen
running across the outside of window panes in pursuit of moths.
It is described and figured by Mr. Cambridge, “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,
Nov. I860, p. 532, and also March, 1873, p. 213, pi. xxiv. f. 3. I
captured a specimen also in the stem of an old palm-tree in James-
town.

Cheiracanthium, C. Koch.

*C. mellissii, Cambr. — After much spider hunting in the Island,
I only met with one specimen of this native. Having occasion to
get up one morning rather earlier than usual, I met him just in the
earliest dawn, proudly walking across my sitting-room floor at I he
Hermitage, situated on the high land. He had not long to lament
that moment — evil for him, but otherwise for science ioi lie was
soon secui'ed in my specimen-bottle. The circumstances undci which
I met with this spider, doubtless prove its being ol nocturnal
habits, and therefore not likely to be commonly met with, still I am
inclined to believe that it does not now exist to any extent in the
Island. It is a large yellow spider, very unlike any othei found in
St. Helena, and may be easily recognised by the very accurate
figure given of it by Mr. Cambridge in I roceed. Zool. Soc.,
March, 1873, pi. xxiv. f. 4, where it is also described, and said to

be allied to C. iialicum, Canestr. e Pav.

*C. planum, Cambr. — Another rare, native Spider, of which I
found only one specimen, which is described and figured, 1 roceed.

Zool. Soc..,” March, 1873, p. 215, pi. xxiv. f. 5 " The abdomen is of

Moderate size and oval form ; its colour is a dull luteous yellow,

p

210

ST. HELENA.

sparingly clothed with silky, yellow hairs, and thinly covered on the
sides and upper side with whitish yellow, cretaceous spots or small
patches, many of them being nearly conterminous, and leaving a
clear short sword-shaped or slightly cruciform marking on the fore
part of the upper side.”

Fam. Agelenidce.

Amaurobius, C. Koch.

*A. crucifer, Cambr. — A native Spider, of small size, which,
either from its scarcity or its peculiar habits, almost eluded my
search, inasmuch as I succeeded in capturing only two. It is
figured “Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” March, 1873, pi. xxiv. f. 6, and it is
also described as having an abdomen “ oval, rounded, and rather
bluff behind ; the ground-colour is a pale luteous yellow, and it is
more or less irregularly marked all over with black streaks and
markings ; among those on the upper side, near the middle, is a
fairly-defined cruciform marking, followed towards the spinners, in a
longitudinal series, by several rather short, blunt-angular, transverse,
black stripes. In front of the ordinary spinners is a broad, transverse,
supernumerary one.”

Tegenaria, Latr.

T. civilis, Bl. — One of the most abundant Spiders in the Island,
found also in Great Britain as well as in many other parts of the
world. It is the common, mottled-brown, garden-wall spider of
the high land, and is found plentifully in corners of old out-
buildings, earth banks, beneath stones, &c., where it conceals itself
behind a small insignificant web or nest, constructed in the joints
of rubble stone walls, stems of old decaying trees, &c., ready to
dart upon its prey when it comes near, in the form of moths, flies,
and other insects of that class.

#T. proxima, Cambr. (T. atrica, “Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” 1869,
p. 533). — A native Spider, nearly resembling the last, but much less
common. It is the light pinkish-brown spider found inhabiting the
edges of window sashes, and the eaves of outbuildings on the high
land. It spins little web, and generally appears to be lying in wait
for its prey.

ARACHNID A.

211

Fam. Scytodidce.

Scytodes, Latr.

S. thoracica, Walck.— A rare Spider, of which I only obtained
one in the Island. It has occurred (three times only) in Great
Britain.

Fam. Pholcidai.

Pholcus, Walck.

P. distinetus, Cambr. — One of the “ Daddy-long-leg” Spiders. —
“ Linn. Soc. Journ.,” vol. x. p. 380, pi. xi. figs. 28, 30. It is found
also in Ceylon and India, whence probably it has been introduced
to St. Helena.

P. phalangioid.es, Walck. — The common “ Daddy-long-leg”
Spider is smaller than the other species. It is very abundant both
on the high and low lands in houses, where it soon establishes
itself in the corners of cellars, cupboards, and even drawing-room
ceilings, often telling a tale as to the activity of the housemaid’s
broom. It spins little web, and feeds chiefly upon flies, moths,
and the Money Spiders {Sal ficus). It has the habit of spinning
round and round so fast for about half a minute, when it is
touched or disturbed, as to become scarcely visible. It is indigenous
to Great Britain.

Artema, Walck.

A. convexa, Bl. — A large brown “Daddy-long-leg” Spider,
found abundantly on the low land, in cellars and outbuildings in
Jamestown, clinging to the ceiling beams, where it spins but little
web. It is also found in Ceylon and India.

Fam. Theridiidai.

Ariamnes, Thor. — Ariadne, Dol.

*A. mellissii, Cambr. — This very beautiful, little golden Spider
almost tells its own tale as a genuine native, for it exists only on the
very mountain tops at Diana’s Peak, nearly 3000 feet above the
sea, as far removed from the habitats of imported creatures as it is
possible to be. It is very rare indeed, but in that damp region,
under the shade of indigenous cabbage-trees and ferns, it may still
found suspended from their branches with apparently a slight

v 2

212

ST. HELENA.

web. It is described, and a beautiful figure of it given, by Mr.
Cambridge in “ Proceed. Zool. Soc. ” Nov. 1869.

Theridion, Walck.

T. punieum, Lucas.

T. fulvolunulatum, Lucas. — Botb tbis and the last species are
found also in Algeria.

T. tepidariorum, C. Koch.— A small slender, brown Spider,
found in gardens on the high land, on the aloe leaves, &c., appa-
rently without much web. The egg cases are spherical, about a
quarter of an inch in diameter, light-brown in colour, and much
resembling leather. It is a widely dispersed species, indigenous to
Great Britain, and is found in Brazil as well as Ceylon.

Latrodectus, Walck.

L. erebus, Savig. — I found but one of this Spider in the
Island. It is also found in Egypt. — “ Sav. Araclin. de lEirynte ”
pi. 3, f. 9.

Linyphia, Latr.

L. leprosa, Ohl. (Z. confusa, Carobr., “Trans. Linn. Soc. ,” xxvii.
p. 429, pi. 65, No. 21, a, b, c, Z/> ff). — A common Spider at St.
Helena, and a native of Great Britain.

*L. albimaculata, Carnbr. — A native Spider, but so rare that I
obtained only one specimen, and that latterly. It is described
1 roceed. Zool. Soc., Mar. 1873, p. 219, from which the following is
taken : — “ The abdomen is of ordinary form, very convex above, and
projecting over the base ot the cephalothorax ; the ground-colour is
of a dark leadenish hue, marked with black patches and markings,
the sides and upper surface being pretty thickly and rather symme-
trically covered with bright white cretaceous spots ; some of these
form slightly oblique lines on the hinder points of the sides, and
others a sort of horizontal cincture on either side of the forehalf ;
others, again, form a broken horizontal band along the lower part of
each side. I he general character and disposition of the abdominal
markings bear a near resemblance to that of L. leprosa (Ohl.) ; but
the markings and colours of the cephalothorax distinguish it from
that species at a glance.”

XL. trifididens, Cambr — Another native Spider, of which a full

ARACHNID A.

213

description is given by Mr. Cambridge, “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,”
March, 1873.

Argyrodes, Sim.

A. epeirae, Sim. — A small chocolate-coloured Spider, with silver
markings on the body, found parasitic in webs of Argiope aurelia.
Mr. Cambridge says : — “ I have found it common in webs of Fpeira
opuntia in Palestine, and Mr. Simon has found it very common also
in similar webs in Spain.” It is very common about the lower land
at St. Helena, where, in the large webs that cover the prickly-pear
bushes, it is almost always to be found.

Fam. Epeiridce.

Tetragnatha, Latr.

T. pelusia, Savig. — A long thin-legged, long thin-bodied Spider,
of a light brown and golden colour, found crawling along the
sides of streams, &c., in gardens on the high land. I found it
tolerably abundant at The Hermitage amongst the grass and water-
cresses. It does not appear to make much web. It preys upon
other spiders, and has a habit of extending its legs fore and aft, so
as to resemble a small dry twig, and thus escape notice. It has
been found in Egypt.

Meta, C. Koch.

*M. digna, Cambr. ( Tetragnatha digna and T. indigna, Spiders of
St. Helena, “Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” 1869, pp. 535-537, pl.xlii. fs.3,4). —
This appears to be the native spider which has best held its own
against the invasion of foreign spiders, for it is still one of the
most abundant garden and outdoor species in the Island. It is
lound equally on the low, the medium, and the very highest
lands ; but those inhabiting the mountain top, near Diana s Peak,
'where there is a cooler atmosphere, are more slender and smaller
than those found lower down. It is easily recognised, being the
handsome brown and golden garden spider which spins a large and
beautiful geometric web, stretching from shrub to shrub, or from
tree to tree, sometimes without support ior 30 or 40 leet, and some
10 or 20 feet above the ground. It has always been a puzzle to me
how this spider manages to construct suspension bridges, so to
speak, of such magnitude, and across such wide spaces. After
having built such an enormous web, it seems generally to prefer living

214

ST. HELENA.

at the very furthermost end of one of its main supports, under cover
of a leaf or branch, or the corner of a building to which it may be
fastened, ready to dart down into its web, spread out like a net to
catch its prey. It has the habit, especially when disturbed, of
arranging its legs fore and aft, so as to assume a linear appearance.

Epeira, Walck.

E. solers ? Walck. A prettily marked, yellowish-brown, out-
dooi Spider, which is commonly found spinning a geometric web, of
considerable size, from leaf to leaf of the prickly-pear hushes,
especially in the neighbourhood of Maldivia and the low warm
land. I have also found it in houses in Jamestown. If it be
E. solers (Walck), which is rather doubtful, it is indigenous to
Great Britain ; it occurs also in Bombay, Ceylon, and South-east
Africa, from any of which places it may have been introduced to
St. Helena through the agency of ships.

Argiope, Savig.

A. aurelia, Savig.— This is by far the largest Spider found in
the Island. It is a large, striped, yellow, black and silver crea-
ture, which inhabits the warm sheltered spots of medium altitude
(from 300 to 1500 feet above the sea). It is quite an outdoor
insect, and spreads its large, strong, geometric web across the tops
of the coarse grass, called guinea-grass, and from leaf to leaf of the
common prickly-pear bushes. One web generally contains a colony
of some nine or ten inmates, in addition to several huge egg bags,
including two or three smaller Argiopes, and six or seven Argyrodes
epeira. A good supply of captured moths hung up at one corner
of the web completes the establishment, and all seem to live
peaceably together. It is one of the most abundant spiders in the
Island, particularly in the upper part of James’ valley. It is not
easily alarmed, and it requires a considerable amount of interference
to cause the big fellow at the head of the colony to vacate the
centre of the web. It is also found in Egypt.

Fam. Uloboridce.

Uloborus, Latr.

IT. williamsii, Bl. ( Oritkyia vnlliamsii, Bl.) — A small, light-

ARACHNIDA.

215

coloured, mottled Spider, with legs banded across with black and
white, found hanging to the ceiling or roofing beams of outoffices,
warehouses, and cellars in Jamestown, where it spins a very neat, fine,
and pretty, geometric web, about 12 inches in diameter. The egg-
bag is flat, septilateral, and of a light purple hue.

Fain. Thomisidce.

\

Xysticus, C. Koch.

X. grammicus, C. Koch. — A light-brown Spider, found on
shrubs in flower-gardens at an altitude of 2000 feet above the sea,
and also on the cabbage-trees on the ridge behind West Lodge. It
is not unlike a crab in its appearance and movements. Its four front
legs are long and of the same colour as the body, and the four hind
legs are very short and of a different colour, being almost white.
It is not common in the Island, and does not spin a geometric web,
but constructs a house, or nest, by binding together with a very
fine silky web two or three green leaves ; the edges of the leaves
are firmly bound together, leaving an opening at each end, to serve
as a back as well as a front entrance. Small moths appear to con-
stitute the chief food of this insect. The male is much smaller and
darker coloured than the female. It is also found in Eui ope.

Philodromus, Walck.

*P. signatus, Cambr. — This is a native Spider, and, like most of
the others, is rare. I obtained females only of it, and caught a
specimen running across the dining-room table at The Hermitage, on
the high land. It is a small speckled white and brown spider, and
is described and figured “Proceed. Zool. Soc., Nov. 1869.

Heteropoda, Latr.

*H. (Olios) tridentigera, Cambr.— A medium-sized, chocolate-
coloured, hairy-legged house-spider, frequently seen crawling about
floors and walls of rooms during the evenings in warm situations.
It is a native, and is described and figured “ Proceed. Zool. Soc.,”
Nov. 1869.

216

ST. HELENA.

Fam. Sphasida.

Pasithea, .Black \v\

_ P- P^lchra, Bl. — This extremely handsome, large, green garden-
Spider, with yellow and red markings, inhabits the low warm parts
of the Island, where it spins its web across the topmost branches of
geraniums and other leafy garden shrubs, the green leaves of which,
corresponding with its own colour, serve to conceal it from view.
It is not very abundant, and I took it principally at Maldivia
Gardens and at Ladder Hill, but could only succeed in obtaining
females, although I made special search for more than a year to find
specimens of the other sex. In capturing this spider, I could not
fail to be greatly struck with the extreme care it has for its egg-
bag, or nest. It rushes to it immediately on being alarmed, and
holds it with such tenacity as not again to relinquish it; and’ even
alter a specimen has been killed it will sometimes be found with
the nest still in its grasp. An extremely beautiful figure of this
spider is given by Mr. Cambridge in “Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” Nov.
1869, pi. xlii. f. 7. This spider was first described from examples
received from the east of Central Africa.

Fam. Lycosidce.

Lycosa, Latr.

*!'• (Trochosa) dolosa, Cambr.— Walking amongst the ferns
and native vegetation on the high mountain ridge, in the neigh-
bourhood of Diana’s Peak, one cannot help observing the ground
and the hard clay banks, abundantly pierced by circular holes about
a quarter or three-quarters of an inch in diameter. On digging into
these holes they are found to be most carefully bored into the^earth
to a depth of six or eight inches, and to terminate in a chamber
excavated to about the size of a walnut ; and in this chamber is
found the large brown spider, with its young family, for the recep-
tion of which it appears to have constructed such a peculiar habita-
tion. A slight silky web secures the earth from falling into the
hole m some cases, but does not penetrate to the chamber with the
young spiders, which is simply excavated in the damp earth, or
clay. One of these habitations was found to contain the adult
spider with about forty young ones, each nearly one-third full
grown, and much in the position of a hen with chickens. The

ARACHNID A.

217

chamber contained nothing else, not even traces of food, or the
remains of insects, which might have been devoured for food. It is
one of the most abundant native spiders now remaining, and is
described in “Proceed. Zool. Soc., March, 18/3. .

*Jj. ligata, Cambr. — A somewhat large, brown, native Spider,
with yellow body, of which I captured several specimens. An
excellent figure, and a description of it, are given in “Proceed.

Zool. Soc.” Nov. 1869, p. 540, pi. xlii. f. 8.

*L. inexorabilis, Cambr. — 'A brown, native Spider, vei y similar,
but stouter- than the last, and rarely found. Figured and described
in “Proceed. Zool. Soc.,” Nov. 1869, p. 541, pi. xlii. f. «).

Tam. Salticida.

Salticus, Latr. Bl.

*S. nigrolimbatus, Cambr. — The large black and white Fly-
catcher,” or “Money-spider,” as it is commonly called. This
funny little creature receives this latter name because of a popular
superstition which the natives entertain. They say that one of
these insects approaching a person signifies that a gift of money
will follow. It conceals itself generally behind a small web, inserted
between the window-sashes and the frame-beadings, ready to dart
out upon its prey. It manages in a most clever manner to run
along a pane of glass, and then with a spring darts with the lapidity
of lightning through the air, a distance of several inches, upon
some unsuspecting fly. It is described and figured in Pioceed.
Zool. Soc.” Nov. 1869, p. 542, pi. xlii. f. 10.*

S. adansonii, Savig. — The Black “ Money-spider, or Ply-

catcher,” which occurs also in Egypt.

*S. inexcultus, Cambr. — A small native species, with habits

resembling those of the others. Described “Proceed. Zool. Soc.,”

March, 1873. „

*S. subinstructus, Cambr. (S. illigeri , Proceed. Zool. Soc.,

Nov. 1869.)— A small black, native “Fly-catcher,” or “Money-
spider,” found abundantly underneath the large stones on High
Knoll, and in similar places on other barren and hot parts of the
Island. Described “Proceed. Zool. Soc., March, 1873.

* Mr. Cambridge informs me that this species has since been most unexpectedly found at
Freshwater, in the Isle of Wight.

218

ST. HELENA.

Order Acaridka.

There is work jet to be done under this order. The following
have, however, been added to Mr. Walker’s list :

Acarus, Linn.

A. domesticus. — The Cheese-mite.

Ixodes? Latr.

I. plumbeus ? — Cow-tick.

Leptus ? Latr.

L. autumnalis P— This “ Hay-bug,” as it is called, is larger in
size and deeper in colour than the English Harvest-bug, and may
therefore be quite different. It is abundant during hay time, and
has yet to be identified.

CLASS V. — ANNELIDA.

The late Dr. W. Baird described the following species of Earth-
worms in the “ Linnean Society’s Journal : Zoology,” vol. xi. 1 871

Lumbricus, Linn.

*L. rubro-fasciatus, Baird.— About 2 to 3 inches in length, of
a dirty yellowish colour, banded across the back with a broad^ fascia
of a red hue.

Megascolex, Temple.

*M. (Pericheeta) Sanctse helena, Baird. — From 1 to 3 inches
in length, of a dull red colour, with 86 rings about the body ; both
species inhabit the earth in moist situations on the high land. At
certain times in the year they may be seen lying in a dead and
half dying state on the hard surface of the roadways.

Y. AHNULOIDA,

CLASS I. — SCOLECIDA.

There is yet work to be accomplished, more than I have been
able to do, in this branch; but, so far, the following will embrace
pretty nearly the most abundant species of the Eckinodermata.

E C II IX ODE R M A TA.

219

CLASS II.— ECHINODERMATA.

Order Echinidea (or Sea-urchins).

Cidaris, Klein.

*C. metularia, Larack.— The thick-spined Sea-Egg of the
Island is taken from deep water round the coast. It is found
also at the Mauritius, the Seychelles, and St. Domingo. There are
two varieties of this species found at St. Helena.

Ecliinometra, Breyn.

*E. acufera, Blainville. — The common thin-spined, black Sea-
Egg, which abounds on the rocky coast all along the sea-shore just
below high-water mark. This creature bores a hole in the solid
basaltic rock sufficiently deep to protect itself. It occurs also at
Ascension Island, Vera Cruz, Martinique.

There is a third, a very fine-spined Sea-urchin, the fragments of
which I have picked up occasionally on the windward sea-coast, but
I never obtained a complete specimen.

Order Asteridea (or Star-fishes).

Asterina, Gray.

*A. minuta ? — A small greenish Star-fish, found abundantly
sticking close to the rocks around the sea-coast, about high water
mark.

Order Ophitjridea (or Sand-stars).

Echin aster, Gray.

*E. sp. ? A bright orange-coloured Sea-star. This brilliant

creature may often be seen lying at the sea bottom near the slioie,

at the depth of a fathom or two.

There are several species of sand-stars, some of them very large
and taken from deep water. I sent a collection of them to the
British Museum with the fishes, but as yet they have not been
examined.

220

ST. HELENA.

Oeder Crinoidea (or Feather-stars).

Comatula, Lamck.

C. sp. ? This very pretty, purple, feathery creature, not unlike
the head of a miniature palm-tree, is occasionally taken from the
pools of sea-water on the West rocks, and other parts of the coast.
I found one specimen at Lemon Valley, but it is extremely rare.

VI. INFUSOKIA.

CLASS I.— INFUSORIA.

Under this head, search has yet to be made at St. Helena.

VII. PEOTOZOA.

CLASS I.— SPONGIDA.

There is a small brown Sponge, seen growing in the pools of sea-
water on the coast, which does not attain to any size. Pieces of
it as large as a cricket-ball are frequently picked up on the sea
beaches. Through the kindness of Professor Dickie, it has been
examined by Dr. Bowerbank, who says "it belongs to the o-enus
Halispongia of De Blainville. The characters are the same as those
of the coarse sponges of commerce from the West Indies.”

PART IV. — BOTANY.

A most interesting subject for investigation is afforded by the Botany
of the Island. The plants growing there at the present time number
about 1 048 ; for the presence of the larger portion of these, it is not
difficult to account, they having followed through a period of three
hundred and seventy -two years in the track of man and civili-
zation ; but a most interesting question as to their origin is dictated
by the remaining 77 species, which form a remnant of that Flora
characteristic of the little lonely oceanic spot previous to man’s first
visit there.

This most wonderfully curious little Flora, which has been aptly
termed “ a fragment from the wreck of an ancient world,” was
made a prominent subject in a very able and highly interesting lec-
ture upon Insular Floras, delivered before the British Association for
the Advancement of Science at Nottingham in 1866. In that lecture
Dr. Hooker, in reference to St. Helena, with its indigenous Flora,
says: “When discovered, about 860 years ago, it was entirely
covered with forests, the trees drooping over the tremendous preci-
pices that overhang the sea. Now all is changed, fully 5-6ths of
the Island are utterly barren, and by far the greater part of the vege-
tation that exists, whether herbs, shrubs, or trees, consists of intro-
duced European, American, African, and Australian plants. The
indigenous Flora is almost confined to a few patches towards the
summit of Diana’s Peak, the central ridge, 2700 feet above the sea.

“ The destruction of the Madeira forests, you will remember, was
by fire. A much more insidious agency has operated with tenfold
greater effect in St. Helena-viz., goats. _ These were introduced in
1513, and multiplied so rapidly, that in 1588 Captain Cavendish
states that they existed in thousands, single flocks being almost a
mile long.

“ In 1709, trees still abounded, and one, the native Ebony, m such
quantities, that it was used to burn lime with. At this time, how-
ever, the Governor of the Island reported to tlie Court of Directors

222

ST. HELENA.

of the East India Company, that the timber was rapidly disappear-
ing, and that the goats should be destroyed for the preservation of
the Ebony wood, and because the Island was suffering from droughts.
He received the laconic reply, £ The goats are not to be destroyed,
being more valuable than Ebony.’

“Another century elapsed, and in 1810 another Governor re-
ports the total destruction of the great forests by the goats, which
gieedily devour the young plants, and kill the old by browsing on
their leaves and bark, and that fuel was so scarce that the Govern-
ment paid for coal (and this in a tropical islet) 2729?. 7s. 8 d. annually.
Still, even then, so great was the amount of seed annually shed, so
rich the soil, and so rapid the growth of the native plants, that the
Governor goes on to say, that if the goats were killed and the Island
left to itself, it would in twenty years be again covered with indi-
genous vegetation.

“ About this time the goats were killed, but another enemy to
the indigenous vegetation was at the same time introduced, and
which has now rendered it in all probability impossible that the
native plants will ever again resume their sway. Major-General
Beatson, then Governor, an active and sagacious officer, proposed
and carried out the introduction of exotic plants on a large scale,
and from all parts of the world ; these have propagated themselves
witn such rapidity, and grown with such vigour, that the native
plants cannot compete with them. The struggle for existence had
no sooner begun, than the issue was pronounced ; English broom,
brambles, willows, and poplars, Scotch pines and gorse bushes, Cape
of Good Hope bushes, Australian trees and American weeds,
speedily overran the place ; and wherever established, they have
actually extinguished the indigenous Flora, which, as I have said
before, is now almost confined to the crest of the central ridge.

“ It is therefore now impossible to distinguish the introduced
from the native plants of St. Helena j but most fortunately Herbaria
exist, made at the beginning of this century, that to a great extent
supply the deficiency. Of these, the most complete was formed by
the late Dr. Burchell, the eminent South African and Brazilian
traveller, who spent five years in St. Helena, from 1805 to 1810.
Unfortunately for science, Dr. Burchell never published, and scarcely
allowed any naturalist access to his Herbarium. On his death, last
year, Ins magnificent botanical collections were presented to Kew

BOTANY.

223

by bis sister, and amongst them I found bis invaluable St. Helena
Herbarium in a capital state of preservation.

“It includes 169 flowering plants, but most unhappily Dr.
Burchell .has not indicated which are bond fide natives, and which
have followed the track of man and animals introduced by him, and
have thus become quasi-indigenous or naturalized. Some years
after Dr. Burchell’ s visit, however, an eminent Indian botanist. Dr.
Boxburgli, visited St. Helena, and drew up a catalogue ot the indi-
genous, naturalized, and cultivated plants then existing, carefully
indicating the truly indigenous ones that were then surviving. Dr.
Roxburgh’s collection was much less complete than Burchell s, but
by collating the two, and with my own observations made during
two visits to the Island, I have arrived at a fairly accurate estimate
of the number and affinities of the native vegetation remaining.

“According to these data, about forty-five indigenous species
inhabited the Island before Major-General Beatson destroyed the
goats, and introduced the European, &c., plants ; to which five
dubious natives may possibly be added. All are shrubs, trees, or
perennial plants ; not one is an annual (though introduced annual
plants abound, both tropical and temperate). Forty ot them are
absolutely confined to the Island, and five are tropical weeds, or sea-
side plants of very wide distribution. These forty are absolutely
peculiar to St. Helena, and, with scarcely an exception, cannot be
regarded as very close specific allies of any other plants at all. Ho
less than seventeen of them have been referred to peculiar genera,
and of the others, all differ so markedly as species from theii con-
geners, that not one comes under the category of being, an insular
form of a continental species. Many of them are excessively scarce,
being now found in very small numbers, and on single rocks ; not a
few have never been gathered since Dr. Burchell s visit; some are
certainly now extinct, as the beautiful Ebony tree, and probably
nearly one-fifth have totally disappeared during the last half century,
or are now all but extinct.

“ From such fragmentary data it is difficult to form any exact
conclusions as to the affinities of this Flora, but I think it may be
safely regarded as an African one, and characteristic of Southern
extra-tropical Africa. The genera Phylica, Pelargonium, Mesem-
bryanthemum, Osteospermum, and Wahlenbergia, are eminently
characteristic of Southern extra-tropical Africa, and I find amongst

224

ST. SELENA.

the others scarce any indication of an American parentage, except a
plant referred to Physalis. The Perns tell the same tale ; of twenty-
six species, ten are absolutely peculiar, all the rest are African,
though some are also Indian and American.

“The Botany of St. Helena is thus most interesting; it re-
sembles none other in the peculiarity of its indigenous vegetation,
in the great rarity of the plants of other countries, or in the number
of species that have actually disappeared within the memory of
living men. In 1839 and 1843, I in vain searched for forest trees
and shrubs, that flourished in tens of thousands not a century before
my visit, and still existed as individuals twenty years before that
date. Of these I saw, in some cases, no vestige, in others only
blasted and lifeless trunks cresting the cliffs in inaccessible places.
Probably 100 St. Helena plants have thus disappeared from the
Systema Naturae since the first introduction of goats on the Island.
Every one of these was a link in the chain of created beings, which
contained within itself evidence of the affinities of other species,
both living and extinct, but which evidence is now irrecoverably
lost. If such be the fate of organisms that lived in our day, what
folly it is to found theories on the assumed perfection of a geological
record which has witnessed revolutions in the vegetation of the
globe, to which that of the Flora of St. Helena is as nothing.”

By a recent examination of the mosses, the lichens, the fungi,
and the sea weeds, the number of plants absolutely peculiar to
St. Helena, has been increased to seventy-seven.

Mr. Mitten has added thirty -two new species from the mosses.

Mr. Leighton has also augmented the list by three from amongst
the lichens collected in the Island by Dr. Burchell, others, and my-
self. In an account of these collections, published in the “ Transac-
tions of the Linnean Society of London,” vol. xxvii., he says —
“ Though not numerous, they are highly interesting and instructive,
as well from their insular locality itself, as more especially from their
approximate similarity to the ‘ Liclienes Amazonici et Andini ’ of
Mr. Bichard Spruce.”* The three species wliich he describes as new
may be considered as absolutely peculiar to St. Helena, leaving it as
uncertain how the remainder found their way into the Island.

Mr. Berkeley has supplied a drawing and descriptions of two

* Linn. Trans., vol. xxv . p. 433 et seq.

BOTANY.

225

new species from my collection of Fungi, but the examination of the
sea-weeds does not reveal any that are absolutely confined to St. Helena.

We know that plants are carried from place to place on the
globe through the agency of birds eating the seeds, or conveying
them in their beaks, or on their feet or feathers. Mr. Darwin gives
many proofs of this. Also that the atmosphere wafts minute
winged or feathery seeds over many miles of distance. And we see
the oceanic currents daily taking their part in the transportation of
seeds from place to place ; at this little Island itself, the large Entada
and other seeds, borne on the surface of the sea, over thousands of miles,
round the Cape of Good Hope, unharmed by exposure to the marine
element, are still deposited on its southern shore, where they have
been known to germinate and grow.

But if we attempt to account for the indigenous Flora of St.
Helena by any one or all of these means, we must look elsewhere
for corresponding species j and these we do not find. Dr. Hooker
has been able sufficiently to establish the fact, that, in its affinities,
the Flora partakes slightly of a Southern extra- tropical African
character ; still we do not find the same plants occurring in Africa.
The exploration of the vicinity of the Congo shows that there no-
thing is identical ;* while, on the other hand, we do not find what
we seek for in South America.

Other theories may he appealed to in order to account for the
presence and position of this wonderfully curious little Flora. Conti-
nental land at one time spreading over the South Atlantic Ocean, with
its own peculiar Flora and Fauna, has been started as a plausible
theory ; bujfc the geological investigation of St. Helena forbids us to
look upon it as a remaining portion of some disappearing continent
to which the last vestige of a Flora, still struggling for existence,
may be clinging ; and the great depth of oceanf around it also seems
to deny the possibility of its connexion at any time with either
African or American land. Still we cannot tell what geological

* “ It might perhaps have been expected that the examination of the vicinity of the Congo
would have thrown some light on the origin, if I may so express myself, of the Flora of
" ' Selena. This however has not proved to be the case; for neither has a single indigenous
species, nor have any of the principal genera characterizing the vegetation of that Island, been
°uud either on the banks of the Congo or on any other part of this coast of Africa.” —
■ Brown , Appendix to Capl. Turkey's Narrative of the Congo Expedition, 1818, p. 476.

t St. Helena is said to be separated from the Continents of Africa and America by a
epth nowhere less than 12,000 feet.

Q

ST. HELENA.

226

changes, hundreds or even thousands of centuries may have wit-
nessed in that portion of the globe, leaving, perhaps, this unique
little floral remnant, now fast disappearing, as almost the only
record of what once was.

Dr. Hooker says that “ neither geological considerations, nor
botanical affinity, nor natural selection, nor all these combined, have
yet helped us to a complete solution of this problem, which is at
present the bete-noire of botanists. Oceanic islands are, in fact, to
the naturalist what comets and meteorites are to the astronomer.
And even that pregnant doctrine of the origin and succession of
life, which we owe to Darwin, and which is to ns what the spectrum
analysis is to the physicist, has not proved sufficient to unravel the
tangled phenomena.

So Air, therefore, the manner in which this once incandescent
mass first received its Flora, whether by the agency of birds or
atmospheric and oceanic currents, or direct from that Hand by which
all things were created, still remains unfathomed. Geology helps
ns to penetrate a little further into the history of the Island,
beyond the infinitesimally small period of its existence since man
first visited it, and enables us slightly to trace some of those
physical changes with which its indigenous Flora and Fauna have
had to contend. It teaches us that, long ages ago— so long that,
as Mr. Darwin remarks, the mind recoils from an attempt to grasp
the number of centuries — the dimensions of the Island were much
larger than they are now; that it was much longer and broader, and
more lofty than it now appears, when, probably with snow-capped
mountain tops, and lower lying swampy lands, it possessed a very
different climate from what we find in the present day. What
effect these changes, together with long isolation, may have produced
upon species, or what variations* they may have brought about, it
is not easy to determine. But we may safely regard change ot
climate, with alterations in the physical condition of the land, as
additional causes to the introduction of goats and exotics for
the gradual extinction of the indigenous Flora. f Dr. Hooker

* It iB a remarkable peculiarity that the indigenous flowers are, with very slight excep-

ti0n+ AMtto caus^ whichSassisted in the extermination of the Redwood and Ebony appears
throLh the following extract from the MSS. Records, 1709:-“ lorasmuch as the Redwood
throug , o v fitt for Tanning Leather) are most of em destroyed by the

the paines to barhe the whole trees hut only the hodys,

BOTANY.

227

estimates that in three centuries and a half one hundred species
may thus have become extinct, and we are now witnessing the disap-
pearance of the remaining fragment. We have only to see the old
weatherbeaten veteran Gumwoods on Longwood Plain, grown hoary
with long white lichen ; the hard struggle of the Scrubwood,
Mellissia, F rankenia, and Plantago, for existence ; and to learn from
those who have tried to cultivate the native plants in the Island the
extreme difficulty in growing them,* to be convinced that they
were originally surrounded by some other climatic conditions than
now exist.

The green vegetation once seen clothing the Island to the water’s
edge, was doubtless, with some lost species, formed of Ebony,
Scrubwood, Frankenia, Mellissia, Plantago, Mesembryanthe-
mum, Pelargonium, Pharnaceum, and Tripteris, these being still
found to occur on the outer and lower zone of the Island near the
sea, with perhaps the addition of the Bosemary and Gumwood,
which occupy an intermediate zone between the outskirts and the
central highest parts of the Island, where all the rest of the remain-
ing indigenous plants are now found. This vegetation was probably
so thick as to prevent the existence of grass ; the absence of which
is remarkable in the native Flora, one species oidy occurring, and
that confined to the high land, while exotic grasses freely and fully
overrun the Island.

Viewing in the present day the dry, barren, soilless, frowning,
lichen-coated, rocky outskirts of the Island, it requires strong faith to
realize its ever having been green with vegetation, were it not that the
record of such a fact handed down to us is endorsed by the Ebony
trunks and stems still existing where no vestige of life can now be
found ; and also by the manuscripts preserved at the Castle, f telling of

leaving the best of the bark on the branches, by which means has destroyed all those trees, at
least three for one, and therefore to prevent the like for ye future and to preserve and recover
so usefull and necessary a thing for the Island use. Ordered — That no more J tides be sold to
the People, for that We are about to engage one John Orchard, a Tanner, who has offered
himself to Tan and dress those Hides at 3s. 6d. apiece.” One condition of his agreement
being that ho would get the bark off the common, the great advantage of which would be the
preservation of the trees.

* Notwithstanding the great difficulty in propagating these plants, Dr. Hooker has suc-
ceeded in the introduction of thirteen of them, in addition to most of the St. Helena ferns,
mto tire conservatories of the Royal Dardens at Kew.

t “ Two soldiers being suddenly killed while on duty at the Crane Battery by falling
rocks, it was resolved to make a timber covering over the Battery, and for this work 240
pieces of Gummwood timber, of ten foot long and five inches broad, be cut in the next adjacent

Q 2

228

ST. HELENA.

localities whence Ebony was gathered for fuel, and Gumwood felled
for building purposes, where now no trace of either can he seen.

Persons ‘living in the Island can also recollect losing their
way in the Gumwood forests at Longwood, where now grassy plains
with scarcely a tree exist.

Of the low-land plants, the Scrubwood is perhaps the most
abundant now remaining ; and next to that the Frankenia. Most
of the others are found only as isolated individuals ; hut all
of these, which occupy the outer portion of the Island, are scarcer
than the Gumwood and the Rosemary, which are plants of mid-
altitude ; and these latter in their turn are less plentiful than some
of the high-land species. The most abundant indigenous plant
at present is undoubtedly the Whitewood Cabbage- Tree ; the Black-
wood is the next ; while then in order of quantity comes the He-
Cabbage-Tree, followed by the She-Cabbage-Tree, with the Dogwood
perhaps taking the next position. Some species have dwindled
down to a single plant only; this is the case with the Psiadia
rotundifolia, which had almost been classed with the extinct species,
until, after long and patient search, I experienced the great delight
of discovering one tree of it in the Black field at Bongwood Gate.
It is an old tree, probably the only one alive anywhere, and

wood that is neerest to the ffort — viz., at the head of Sayne Valley.”— MSS. Records,

“ That one day in the week it employs all the Blacks to fetch wood from the Horse
pasture and Greatwood.” — 3£SS. Records, 1709.

“ Nearly all the Ebony wood was burnt up in providing 1000 or 1200 bushels of lime
for building the Castle on l\Innden*s Point. - 3LSS. Records, 1709.

« We find ye place called the Great wood in a flourishing condition, full of young trees,
where the Hoggs (of w" there is a great abundance) do not come to root them up. But
ye Greatwood "is miserably lessened and destroyed within our memories, and is not near the
circuit and length it was. But we believe it does not contain less now than fifteen hundred
acres of fine woodland and good ground, but no springs of water but what is salt or brackish,
wcU we take to be the reason that that part was not inhabited when ye people first chose
out their Settlem18 and made Plantations; but if wells could be sunk, which ye Govemr sayes
he will attempt when we have more hands, we should then think it ye most pleasant and
healthiest part of ye Island. But as to healthiness we don’t think ’twill hold so, if the wood
y1 keeps ye land warme were destroyed, for then ye rains wch are violent here would carry
away ye upper soil, and it being a clay marie underneath would produce hut little ; as it is,
we think in case it were enclosed it might be greatly improved.” . . . “IV hen once this
wood is gone the Island will soon be ruin’d.” . . . “We viewed the wood’s end which joyns
to the Honb'° Comp1'8 Plantation called the Hutts, but the wood is so destroyed that the
beginning of the Great wood is now a whole mile beyond that place, and all the soil between
beim* washt away that distance is now entirely barren.” — MSS. Records, 1716.

“Several persons, in contempt and defiance of the ancient laws made for the preser-
vation of The Greatwood, have nevertheless lately felled and caryed away several young trees
from that part called The Flagstaff and Headwood. JbT&S. Records, 1/27.

BOTANY.

229

likely soon to follow tlie fate of the Ebony and Stringwood, both
of which, after much careful seeking for them, I am inclined to
believe exist no longer.

I saw the Ebony once about twenty years ago ; it was growing
in a garden on the high land, one miserable little plant, only six
inches in height, and yet it blossomed. Further than this, I have
only seen the crooked, hard old stems disentombed from the surface
soil in the locality of Lot’s Wife, and similar barren spots. Dr.
Roxburgh, in recording this plant as “ a native of the barren rocks
near the sea, and not far from Sandy Bay, on the south side of the
Island,” says that he saw it in two gardens only, where it had in
many years grown to the height of two to three feet, with many
longer branches spreading flat on the ground, well decorated with
abundance of foliage and large beautiful flowers, which are white
when they first expand, but become pink or rosy by age. The few
trees that were then alive (1813) in their native soil and situa-
tion are described by him as “ being 10 to 15 feet high, their
trunks crooked, and about as thick as a man’s thigh ; the branches
very numerous, spreading,” &c. &c. It is fortunate that Dr.
Burchell made a drawing of this plant ; and with the kind per-
mission of Dr. Hooker it has been copied. With this exception,
and that of the Stringwood, which has been taken from a dried
specimen, and also the blossom of Pelargonium cotyledonis, which has
been kindly supplied by Miss Hooker, from the figure given of it in
L’Heritier’s Geraniacese, the drawings have been made and coloured
from living specimens of the plants.

The beautiful little Stringwood, I last saw about fourteen years
ago, growing as a carefully tended plant in the gaiden at Oakbank.
It was only about 18 inches high, but flowering freely.

With its semi-temperate, semi-tropical climate, the Island is
perhaps as well adapted as any spot on the surface of the globe for
an acclimatization station. In this point of view it has, throughout
the last century, been regarded by many persons, including the
Governors, Generals Bcatson and Walker, who introduced many new
plants, and did much to extend and improve the exotic vegetation ;
but little or no practical use has been made of it for acclimatization
purposes. Through the exertions of these gentlemen and others, the
exotic flora has been gradually enlarged until it reaches about 971
species, which have found their way thither from all paits of the

230

ST. HELENA.

world. Plants from temperate climes are there seen to grow and
flourish side by side with others from tropical regions ; groves of
stately Oaks, in full leaf, mingle with clusters of Bamboo, whose
slender, graceful branches overtop the foliage of their companions ;
while beneath the shade of both, Bananas and Arums, in rich pro-
fusion, grow along the banks of pearly mountain streams. Many
valuable and useful plants have, from time to time, been introduced
into the Island, which in other countries are made the source of
much profit : Cotton, Coffee, Sugar-cane, Olive, Tobacco, Palma
Christi (Castor-oil plant), and New Zealand Flax, with other fibre-
producing plants, all now grow wild, and bear evidence to the very
small attention that has been paid by the inhabitants to the soil and
its productions, in the fact that none of them are made use of ; and
although in one year no less than 18,267 lbs. of tobacco, and 1620 lbs.
of cigars, upon which a high duty is levied, were imported into the
Island, not a single pound of native-grown tobacco is gathered either
for home consumption or for exportation. Circumstances in the
history of the Island have tended very much to draw away the atten-
tion of the residents from the cultivation of its soil as a source of
profit ; and now that they no longer exist to the same degree, and the
value of the soil forces itself forward, the necessary capital for planting
is not forthcoming. The land contained in the Island may be clas-

sified as follows : —

Acres.

Pasture and hayland 7,450

Forest trees 575

Under cultivation with roots and crops . . . 144

Orchards and gardens 65

Flower gardens and miscellaneous .... 50

Barren 1,816

Commons belonging to the Crown indif- ig 700
ferent pasture, -f barren)

Notwithstanding its limited area there does not appear any reason
why many of the useful plants, now growing in a wild and semi-
wild state on the Island, should not be cultivated and yield con-
siderable profit. General Beatson, in his “ Tracts on St. Helena,
gives the results of many experiments, showing plainly what the
soil is capable of producing ; and although his trials were made
under the most favourable circumstances, and must therefore be

BOTANY.

231

received in their results accordingly, they are, nevertheless, valuable
as showing what the well-watered, rich, basaltic soil of St. Helena is
capable of producing.

The Ailanthus tree, introduced from the Royal Gardens of Kew
ten years ago, already proves that it is favourable to the Island. With
this plant, and the Ricinus communis, as well as the common Mul-
berry, growing wild in great abundance, the production of silk at
St. Helena might very easily be undertaken.

The cultivation of the Cinchona plant on the mountain land
was, a few years ago, commenced by the Government ; and although
the experiment, after three or four years’ careful management, pro-
mised the greatest success, and cost but a few hundred pounds a
year, it has most unfortunately been abandoned, in consequence of
the efforts of a recent Governor to retrench expenditure.

In the preparation of the catalogue of plants growing in St.
Helena, I have viewed the Island as possessing three different cli-
matic zones. The first is a rocky belt extending all round the
coast, and for a mile inland ; it possesses a hot, scorching atmo-
sphere, 10° F. higher in temperature than the mountain top, with
every altitude from the sea level up to 2272 feet, and, but for the
sheltered and watered ravines which intersect, is quite barren, if we
except the short wire grass ( Cynodon Dactylori), a few exotics, and those
indigenous plants which are peculiar to it. Where the term low land
is used it applies to it ; and the letter C is employed to denote that
a species is either entirely or principally confined to this locality.

The second, or middle zone, is that belt lying inside of the first,
and extending for three-quarters of a mile inland from it, with
altitudes above the sea varying from 400 to 2000 leet. It is less
rocky than the first, has a climate of about 5° F. lower temperature,
and is characterized by a scanty vegetation, furze-clad slopes,
the native Rosemary and Gumwood trees, with lir trees and
a considerable amount of exotic vegetation. 1. he letter M is used
to denote those species which are more particularly confined to this
part.

The remaining portion is the very centre of the Island, measuring
about four miles long, and two and a quarter miles wide, with good
depth of soil, and entirely covered with vegetation, where, in the cool
temperate climate on the mountain top, grow the indigenous Com-
posite, or Cabbage-trees and Ferns, surrounded by grassy slopes,

232

ST. SELENA.

meadows, hayfields, farms, gardens, and well-wooded glens of Oak
and other mixed foliage. The altitudes above the sea range from
1200 to 2704 feet. The term highland applies to it, but, as many
plants seem to grow in peculiar situations even in this area, special
localities are in some cases also recorded.

In these zones very different conditions are to be found suitable
to the growth of plants, according to the exposed or sheltered
state of the locality ; many exotic plants now growing in the
Island have sought out the spot most suited to them, and flourish
there, while they refuse to grow at some place perhaps only a few
yards removed. Where no reference letter is used, it will be under-
stood that the plant grows on the same interior central land as
those denoted by the sign H. L. or high land.

In denoting the altitude above the sea at which a plant grows in
the Island, a number or decimal part of a number is employed, which
it will be necessary in each case to multiply by 500, the result giving
the altitude in feet ; this plan has been adopted for the purpose of
lessening the number of figures that would otherwise have to be
printed in denoting high altitudes.

Wherever a local name could be found it has been added, and in.
its absence some brief description of the plant given, by which in
a general way it could be readily locally identified.

There are some plants mentioned by Dr. Roxburgh, as seen in
the Island in the year 1813, which have not been met with recently.
It seems probable that they were at that time new introductions,
and have not succeeded, but since died out ; they are, however,
repeated in the present catalogue, because single specimens of them
may possibly still lurk hidden in the wooded parts, and even if they
do not it will continue a record of the effort made for their intro-
duction.

The following is an explanation of the signs and abbreviations
which have been adopted in the catalogue : —

Alt denotes altitude or elevation above the sea

level.

JJt „ height which a species attains.

C „ near the sea coast.

M „ midway between the coast and

mountain.

BOTANY.

233

H. L denotes high land or the central mountain

Wild . . . .

Uncultivated .

Cultivated .

Very common .
Common . .

Rather common
Rather rare
Rare ....
Very rare .

Hk. Icon. Plant.
Bot. Mag. . .

range and interior of the Island,
comprising about eight or nine
square miles.

thoroughly naturalized, or plants
which seed and propagate them-
selves without cultivation,
somewhat naturalized, or plants which
seed and propagate themselves in
gardens without artificial aid.
growing only with care in gardens, &c.
growing in most parts of the Island,
growing in localities, over 100 spe-
cimens in all.

twenty to 100 specimens only,
ten to twenty specimens only,
two to ten specimens only,
one or two specimens only.

Hooker’s leones Plantarum.

Botanical Magazine.

CLASS I.— DICOTYLEDONS.

1. Rantjnculace/E ( Crowfoot Family).

Adonis, Linn.

1 A. autumnalis, Linn. — Pheasant s-eye ; seeds fieely and
grows uncultivated in some gardens. Alt. 3-8.-Distr. Europe, W.
Asia, N. Africa.

Clematis, Linn.

2. C. Vitalba, Linn. — Traveller’s Joy; seeds and grows uncul-
tivated in gardens. Rather rare. The Hermitage, &c. Alt. S' '2.—
Distr. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia.

Delphinium, Linn.

3. D. Hendersoni, Hort.— Large double dark-blue Larkspur, re-
cently introduced into gardens, grows well at alt. 3 3, but is rare.

4. D. Ajacis, W.— Common blue, pink, and variegated Larkspur.

234

ST. HELENA.

Seeds freely, grows wild, and is common about the gardens and
shrubberies generally. — Distr. Europe and 1ST. Africa.

USTigella, Linn.

5. N. damascena, Linn. — Devil in the Bush ; seeds freely, and
grows uncultivated; rather common in gardens. Alt. 3 ‘8. — Hab.
S. of Europe.

Ranunculus, Linn.

6. R. bulbosus, Linn. — Buttercup, grown in gardens only as a
great rarity. — Distr. Europe, Asia, W. Africa.

7. R. sceleratus, Linn. — Celery -leaved Buttercup ; seeds freely,
grows wild, and is very common in damp places and streams of
water. Napoleon’s Cabbage-tree-road, Hermitage, &c. Alt. 3-5 to 5.
— Distr. Europe, N. Asia.

2. Magnoliace/e (. Magnolia Family).

Liriodendron, Linn.

8. L. tulipifera, Linn. — Tulip- tree, grows to a height of 30 feet,
one or two specimens only, at Oak Bank. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag.
275. — Hab. N. America.

Miclielia, Linn.

9. M. Champaca, Linn. — Mentioned by Roxburgh as growing
in one garden only. — Hab. E. Indies.

Magnolia, Linn.

10. M. purpurea, Curt. — Grows to a shrub about 6 feet high,
and commonly called “ Purple Tulip,” uncultivated ; rather com-
mon in shrubberies. Alt. 3'6. Hermitage, &c. Bot. Mag. 390. —
Hab. China.

11. M. conspicua? Salisb. — White Tulip-tree grows cultivated,
in gardens; rare. Alt. 38, attains a height of 10 ft.— Hab.
China.

12. M. fuscata, Andr. — Two varieties of the common sweet-
scented Magnolia grow to trees of 1 8 ft. in height ; common and
uncultivated. Alt. 3‘8 to 5. Bot. Mag. 1008.— Hab. China.

BOTANY.

235

3. Anonace/E ( Custard-apple Family).

Anona, Linn.

13. A. muricata, Linn. — The Sonrsop. — Hab. W. Indies.

14. A. squamosa, Linn. — The Sweetsop. — Hab. S. America.

15. A. reticulata, Linn. — The Custard Apple or Bullock s Heart.
— Hab. S. America. These three species are mentioned by Rox-
burgh as growing in the Island, hut I am not certain that they now
grow there.

16. A. cherimolia, Mill. — The Cherimoya is one of the most
abundant and delicious fruits in the Island. It grows, almost
uncultivated, plentifully on the high and low lands to a tree
15 or 20 ft. in height, and bears fruit to perfection. C. to IT. L.
Hab. S. America.

4. Myristicace/e ( Nutmeg Family).

Myristica, Linn.

17. M. moschata, Thunb. — Nutmeg. One tree only is said to
grow, in Plantation gardens. — Hab. Molucca Islands.

5. Pap averages ( Poppy Family).

Argemone, Linn.

18. A. mexicana, Linn. — This universally distributed weed is
found also at St. Helena, where it may be recognised as “ The
Yellow Thistle." It seeds freely, grows wild, and is common on the
rocky low land, C. Alt. H to 2. It is also found at Ascension

Island. — Hab. Mexico.

Eschsclioltzia, Cham.

19. E. californica, Cham.— This beautiful yellow flower is culti-
vated in the high land gardens, and seeds well. Bot. Mag. 2887.—
Hab. N.W. America.

Papaver, Linn.

20. P. orientate, Linn.— Tall Scarlet Poppy, grows in gardens
on the high land, uncultivated, and is rather rare (both double and
single-flowered). Seeds wrell. — Hah. Asia Minor.

21. P. Rhoeas, Linn. — Dwarf Scarlet Poppy, grows rarely, culti-
vated in gardens. — Distr. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia.

236

ST. HELENA.

22. P. Argemone, Linn. — Prickly Ked Poppy, grown in gardens
only, rare. — Distr. Europe, 1ST. Africa, W. Asia.

6. FuMARiACEiE ( Fumitory Family).

Fumaria, Linn.

23. F. capreolata, Linn. — Commonly called Ckickweed, grows
wild, and is very common throughout the Island. One of the greatest
garden pests as a weed.— Distr. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia.

7. Crucifers (. Mustard Family).

Alyssum, Linn.

24. A. maritimum, Linn. — Grows wild on the low land in the
neighbourhood of The Waterfall, The Briars, &c. ; a small plant
with sweet-scented white flowers, like a dwarf Candytuft or Shep-
herd’s Purse. It comes up after the heavy rains. — Distr. Mediter-
ranean region.

Brassica, Linn.

25. B. oleracea, Linn.— Several varieties of Cabbage are abun-
dantly grown, both for home consumption and for supplying ships. —
Distr. S.W. Europe.

26. B. campestris, Linn, and B. rapa, Linn. — Turnips are
abundantly grown both as a vegetable and as food for cattle. — Distr.
Europe, Asia.

27. B. campestris, Linn. var. — The Hoi ek ole is a vegetable
very much grown and used at St. Helena. — Hab. Europe.

Capsella, Yent.

28. C. Bursa-Pastoris, D.C. — Shepherd’s Purse, or small white
Candytuft, grows wild and is common, M. — Hab. Central and H.
Europe.

Cheiranthus, Linn.

29. C. Cheiri, Linn. — Wallflower, seeds well and grows cultivated
in gardens; rather common. — Distr. Temp, and arctic Europe, 1ST.
Africa and Asia.

Cochlearia, Linn.

30. C. Armoracia, Linn. — Horseradish grows almost wild in

BOTANY.

237

the ravines and shrubberies of some gardens on the high land, hut
is not very common. — Origin and native country unknown.

31. C. saxatilis, Lam. — Scurvy Grass, a plant like a small
white-flowered Candytuft, very abundant as a weed on the rocky
parts about Barnes’ Road, &c. M. Alt. '4 to 4. Hab. S. of Europe.

Iberis, Linn.

32. I. umbellata, Linn. — Pink Candytuft, seeds well, and is
cultivated and common in gardens. Alt. 3'S. Hab. S.W. Europe.

Lepidium, Linn.

33. L. ruderale, Linn. — A weed with flowers resembling a small
white Candytuft, grows wild, and is common. Distr. Europe, Asia,
Africa, Australia.

Matthiola, R. Br.

34. M. incana, R. Br. — Ten or fifteen varieties of the common
stock or gillyflower are cultivated abundantly in gardens.— Distr.
Mediterranean region, Canary Islands.

35. M. odoratissima, E. Br. — Persian Stock. — Hab. Asia Minor.

Nasturtium, R. Br.

36. N. officinale, R. Br. — Watercresses grow wild and are very
common in the ravines and along the mountain streams and ponds.
C. and M. to H. L. Alt. -2 to 5.— The Islanders carry on a small
trade in Watercresses with the shipping, and bags of St. Helena
Cresses are far-famed amongst sea-going men.— Distr. Europe, W.
Asia, N. Africa. Seeds well.

Raphanus, Linn.

37. It. sativus, Linn.— Pour varieties of Radish are cultivated-
viz., the long red, round red, round white, and black.-

-Hab. China.

Senebiera, Poir.

38 S. didyma, Pers.— A Cress-like weed, very troublesome in
wardens growing wild, particularly amongst paving-stones and on
liderAdks. lit. 4. Very common.-Widely dispersed rn tern-
perate and warm countries.

238

ST. SELENA.

Sinapis, Linn.

39. S. nigra, Linn. — Mustard grows wild about the neighbour-
hood of cornfields, and has probably been introduced with barley or
oat seed. — Distr. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia. Flowers in August.

8. CAFPARiDACEiG ( Caper Family).

Cleome, Linn.

40. C. dendroides, Schult. — Purple-flowered or stinking Cleome,
grows uncultivated but is rather rare in gardens, H. L. Alt. 3'8. —
Hab. Brazil.

9. Besedace/E (. Mignonette Family).

Beseda, Linn.

41. It. odorata, Linn. — Mignonette grows uncultivated in
gardens at most altitudes. Seeds freely. — Hab. Egypt.

10. Bixineaj.

Aberia, Hochst.

42. A. caffra, Hk. f. & Harv. — Kei Apple, a plant recently
imported to St. Helena from S. Africa by Mr. George Bennett. It
thrives well on the low land, and grows at Maldivia Gardens in
Jamestown, where it fruits abundantly. The fruit, about the size
of a very small orange, is very acid, and is used with other fruits for
making jams, tarts, &c., to which it gives a very peculiar flavour. C.
— Hab. S. Africa.

11. Violace;e (Violet Family).

Viola, Linn.

43. V. odorata, Linn. — Single Sweet Violet, grows wild in
gardens ; rather rare. Alt. 3'8. — Distr. Europe, 1ST. Africa, N.W. Asia.

44. V. odorata, Linn. var. — Double Blue Violet, uncultivated
in gardens ; rather common. — Hab. Britain.

45. V. tricolor, Linn. — Common Heartsease, three or four
varieties grow wild and are very common about gardens. Alt. 3 to
4. — Distr. Europe, temp, and arctic, N. Africa, JST.W. Asia.

Hats 2B-

JLWStch del et. 3ith

ISncentBroolffiDay&Simii^).

FRAN KENT A PO RT U L AC I F G L I A .

L. Reeve & C°Lflndrai.

BOTANY.

239

12. IIyp eric ac EjE (St. John's Wort Family).

Hypericum, Linn.

46. H. hircinum, Linn. — Stinking St. Jolin s Wort, seeds well,
grows wild, and is rather common. Alt. 3 8, Oakbank, Hermi-
tage, &c. — Hab. Mediterranean region.

13. F rankeniaceje (Sea-Heath Family).

Frankenia, Linn.

47. *F. portulacsefolia, Spreng. — F. Beatsonia, Schultes;
Beatsonia portulaceefolia, Roxb. ; St. Helena rlea. This beautiful
little plant is endemic and grows to a small round bushy shrub,
about two feet in height, covered with pure white blossoms. It still
exists plentifully on the southern and eastern sides of the Island,
growing on the barren, dry, rocky ground near the sea coast at alt.
T to 2. It is most abundant at Sandy Bay Barn and near The
Asses Ears, and, excepting a few stray plants on the eastern side of
High Knoll, does not exist on the northern side of the Island. The
stems are very shrubby and brittle, and very crooked, the thickest
does not exceed two inches in diameter; the wood is hard and
of a mahogany colour. I find no record of the plant having been
ever used as a substitute for tea; possibly its name may be derived
from its small leaves when dry somewhat resembling the appearance
of black tea. Plate 25 ; Hk. Icon. Plant. 1058.

14. Caryopuyllace® (Pink Family).

Agrostemma, Linn.

48. A. Coronaria, Linn. — A small plant with silvery velvety
leaves and crimson flowers, growing cultivated in gaidens, but rare.
— Distrib. S. Europe, W. Asia.

Cerastium, Linn.

49. C. glomeratum, Thuill. — A white-flowered plant, glowing
wild in hayfields on the high land. Distrib. Temp, and arctic
Europe, 1ST. Africa, W. Asia.

Dianthus, Linn.

50. D. Caryophyllus, Linn.— Several varieties of Clove Pink and

240

ST. HELENA.

Carnation grow well on the high land, where they form some of the
chief garden flowers. — Distr. Mediterranean region.

51. D. chinensis, Linn. — Indian Pink grows in gardens culti-
vated ; rather common. Bot. Mag. 25. — Hab. China.

52. D. barbatus, Linn. — Several garden varieties of Sweet Wil-
liam are cultivated and rather common in gardens. Alt. 2 to 4.
Bot. Mag. 207. — Hab. Pyrenees, &c.

Drymaria, Willd.

53. D. cordata, Willd. — Small white-star-flowered weed. Grows
wild and is very common. Alt. 2 to 5. — A common weed in tropical
countries.

Polycarpon, Linn.

54. P. tetraphyllum, Linn. — One of the most abundant small
weeds, occurring everywhere on the gravel walks of flower gardens,
&c. The Hermitage. — Distr. Europe, Asia, Africa.

Silene, Linn.

55. S. gallica, Linn. — Small pink-flowered Catch Fly, occasion-
ally found growing in the neighbourhood of cornfields at Broad
Bottom, &c. — Hab. S. Europe.

Spergula, Linn.

56. S. arvensis, Linn. — This little trailing plant, with its small
white blossoms, is one of the greatest weeds of the place, growing in
hayfields, gardens, roadsides, &c. Wild and very common. Alt. 3 to 5.
Flowers in August. — Distr. Temp, and arctic Europe, U. Africa, &c.

1 5. PoRTULACACKiE {Purslane Family).

Portulaca, Linn.

57. P. oleracea, Linn. — Purslane grows wild and is very common
over the barren rocky outskirts of the Island. C. Alt. -04 to 3. After
the rains in the months of March and July, this plant springs up,
and gives quite a greenish hue to the otherwise barren, rocky parts.
It is gathered by the native people and used as spinach, for which
it affords a very good substitute. — Widely distributed and pro-
bably indigenous in St. Helena.

Plate 26.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM CRYPT ANTHUM.

LReeve & C° London.

BOTANY.

241

16. Ficoide.e {Fig -Marigold Family).

Mesembryanthemum, Linn.

58. *M. cryptanthum, Hk. f. — This most singular native plant
resembles when young a bright green succulent mass, changing to
yellow as it gets old, and finally drying up, as the hot weather ap-
proaches, in the months of November and December. It grows on
the hottest parts, in the most barren, arid, rocky soil near to the sea,
in the neighbourhood of Sandy Bay beach and Turk’s Cap Bay, and
is to be met with generally on the Southern and Eastern outskirts
of the Island. The young plants appear after the winter rains in
June and July, and soon put forth their somewhat concealed white
flowers. A single plant seldom spreads more than fifteen inches in
diameter, and only reaches one or two inches in height. The plant
is so very succulent that it will not support its own weight when
held up from the ground, and water is seen to drop from it when
simply carried in the hand without any pressure. Plate 2G. It is
also figured and described in Hk. Icon. Plant. 1084.

59. M. emarginatum, Linn.— Brilliant purple-flowered Mesem-
bryanthemum, growing almost wild in some places on the high ex-
posed land, where it attains to a small shrubby bush. When in
blossom the plant presents one bright mass of purple, which for
several miles distant is a most conspicuous object. — Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

60. M. crystallinum, Linn. — The Ice plant grows wild, and is
very common, though confined to the Northern side of the Island,
about Ladder Hill, Half- tree Hollow, &c. C. Alt. 1'2 ; seeds freely.- —
Hab. Greece, Cape of Good Hope, Canary Islands, &c.

61. M. edule, Linn. — The Hottentot Fig grows wild, and is very
common; towards the Eastern portion of Longwood Farm, it over-
runs considerable tracts of land. M. Alt. T to 4. The fruit does
not come to perfection as it does at the Cape of Good Hope. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

62. M. cordifolium, Linn. — Quite a weed, bearing a small bright
pink star-flower, grows wild, and is very common generally in the
Island. M. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

63. M. sp. P — Orange-flowered Mesembryanthemum, cultivated
in gardens. Alt. 3'8. Bather rare.

R

242

ST. HELENA.

Pharnaceum, Linn.

64. *P. acidum, Hk. f. — This pretty little indigenous plant, a
small shrub about eight inches in height, with bluish-green succulent
leaves and pure white blossoms, grows on the extreme south side of the
Island, within a few yards of the sea shore at Sandy Bay, where the
hot barren ground and saline atmosphere seem suitable to it. The only
plant I know of now in the Island grows on the pathway from Sandy
Bay Lines to Horse’s Head. Its succulent leaves are of an agreeable
acid flavour, and are known to the natives of the Island as a good
substitute for salad. It flowers in August. Plate 27. Also Hk.

Icon. Plant. 1035.

Tetragonia, Linn.

65. T. expansa, Murray. — New Zealand Spinach, a plant resem-
bling a Mesembryanthemum, with small green and yellow blossoms,
growing wild about the cornfields at Longwood. M. Alt. 4. Bot.

Mag. 2362. — Hab. New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and S. America.

17. Malvaceae ( Mallow Family).

Althtea, Linn.

66. A. officinalis, Linn. — Marsh Mallow, growing wild and
abundantly over the Island generally. — Hab. Britain.

67. A. rosea, Cav. — Hollyhock, grown in gardens. — Hab.

China.

Gfossypium, Linn.

68. G. indicum, Lam.— The Cotton Plant, introduced by the East

India Company in 1678, now grows somewhat wild on the low >

land at altitudes of T to 2, where it attains to a shrub of ten or
twelve feet high. It grows in some of the poorest soil, and bears
excellent cotton ; might easily be cultivated as it seeds freely.

69. G. barbadense, Linn— Barbadoes Cotton, mentioned by
Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. Barbadoes.

Hibiscus, Linn.

70. H. Abelmoschus, Linn. — Musk Okro, occasionally seen in
gardens, but does not appear to thrive well. — Hab. India.

Plate 27.

P HARBAC E UK ACIDUM.

Viaceirt Brooks Day kSonlmp

J.N Pitch, del etlith.

L. Re eve & C- London

BOTANY.

'2«

71. H. armatus. — Rock Rose ; grows wild, seeds well, and is
very common at all altitudes, generally in the roadside fences,
where its beautiful yellow blossoms are remarkable.

72. H. cannabinus, Linn. — Hemp-leaved Hibiscus, mentioned
by Roxburgh as growing in the Islaud. — Hab. E. Indies.

73. H. diversifolius, Jacq. — Mentioned by Roxburgh as grow-
ing in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies, Africa, and Australia.

74. H. mutabilis, Linn. — White-flowered Hibiscus, mentioned
by Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

75. H. phoeniceus, Linn.— Purple-flowered Hibiscus, cultivated
as a shrub in gardens on the high land ; rather rare. — Hab. E. Indies.

70. H. populneus, Linn.; Thespesia populnea. — Called Gamboge
Tree. Grows well to a height of fifteen or twenty feet in the Castle
Garden, in the low warm valley of Jamestown. C. T. Seeds well ;
rather rare. — Distr. Tropical Asia, Africa, and Pacific Islands.

/ 7. H. Sabdariffa, Linn. — West Indian Sorrel, mentioned by
Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

78. H. urens, Linn. — Mentioned by Roxburgh as growing in the
Island. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

79. H. rosa-sinensis, Linn. — Thrives well as a garden shrub ; the
double red of two shades, and the single crimson especially; un-
cultivated; rather common; seeds well. C. to IP. L. Rot. Mag.
158. — Hab. China.

80. H. Trionum, Linn. — Small dwarf yellow and purple-flowered
Hibiscus, grows wild on the low land in the neighbourhood of Hew
Ground, &c., and in hayfields. M. Alt. 1 to 3. Seeds freely. —
Distr. S. Europe, Africa, Australia, and Hew Zealand.

81. H. liliiflorus, Cav. — The large single-flowered, pale yellow,
brick-coloured, and light red or rose-coloured Hibiscus. A shrubby
plant, grown in gardens both on the high and the low lands. Alt.
'6 to 4, rather rare. Seeds well. — Hab. Isle of Bourbon.

82. H. syriacus, Linn. — Several garden varieties thrive well,
including the buff, red, and a shrubby plant with white blossoms
with a purple centre ; grows in gardens on the high land. Bot.
Mag. 83. — Hab. Syria. Cultivated throughout India and China.

83. H. Ludwigii P E. and Z., or JL mutabilis ? Willd. — The
Hollyhock, or Changeable Rose of the Island, a slender shrubby
plant, with large single, rose-coloured flowers ; grows equally well in
an uncultivated state on the high and low lands. The blossom opens

R 2

244

ST. HELENA.

pale pink, or almost white in colour, and very soon changes to a
deep rose-colour. Seeds well. — Hab. S. Africa.

84. H. speciosus, Ait. — Large single red Hibiscus, cultivated,
rather rare. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag. 360.— Hab. N. America.

Malvastrum, A. Gfr.

85. M. tricuspidatum, A. Hr. — Very small yellow-flowered
Hibiscus-like plant, growing wild amongst the rocks on the road lead-
ing to Lemon Valley. C. ‘3. A common tropical weed.

Malva, Linn.

86. M. sylvestris, Linn. — Small pink-flowering Mallow, grows
wild, and is common. M. Alt. 2 to 3.— Distr. Temp, regions of N.
Hemisphere.

87. M. parviflora, W. — Very small pink-flowered Mallow.
Grows wild, and is common generally about fields, roadsides, &c.
Alt. 3 8. — Hab. Mediterranean region.

Paritium, St. Hil.

88. P. tiliaceum, St. Hil.— A small shrubby tree, about twelve
feet high, with large, single, pale yellow flowers; growing between
the Civil and the Military Hospitals, on the low land in Jamestown;
commonly called the Gamboge Tree in St. Helena; one tree only.
Widely dispersed in tropical countries.

89. P. elatum, Don. — Becently introduced from the Boyal

Gardens at Kew.

Sida, Linn.

90. S. cordifolia, Linn. — A very small pale yellow-flowered Hi-
biscus, that grows wild amongst the rocks on Rupert s Hill and
other warm lowland situations. C. Alt. P4— Hab. Tropics gene-
rally and Cape of Good Hope.

91. S. acuta, Burm. — A small Hibiscus-like plant ; both this
and the following species are said by Roxburgh to grow in the
Island.

92. S. microphylla, Cav.

93. S. rhombifolia, Linn. — Small yellow-flowered Hibiscus, that
grows wild in the field above Oaklands, and also near The Briars
Pavilion. M. — Hab. India.

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BOTANY.

245

18. BYTTNERIACEiE.

Pterospermum, Schreb.

94. P. suberifolium, Willd. — A tree said by Roxburgh to grow
in the Island. Bot. Mag. 1526. — Hah. E. Indies.

Melliania, Ait. ; — Trochetia, D.C.

95. *M. erythroxylon, Ait. ; Trochetia erythroxylon , Benth. et
Hk. f.— The Redwood of the Islanders. Grows to a tree twenty
feet in height, with handsome slender foliage of a pale green ; the
flowers first appear pure white, changing after a day to pink, and
finally to a brownish-red as they begin to fade. The wood is hard,
and of a dull-brown colour. One or two specimens of this beautiful
indigenous plant still remain growing amongst the Cabbage-trees,
Ferns, and other native plants in the glens near Dianas Peak and
High Peak, alt. 5. It is, however, very quickly disappearing, and
ere long will probably become altogether extinct. Some cultivated
specimens exist in gardens as low down as alt. 3‘7 ; but altogether not
more than seventeen or eighteen plants are now to be found in the
Island — viz., two at Arnos Yale; one at Oakbank ; three or four at
Bowers’s, in Sandy Bay ; two at Sam. Alexander’s ; one at Southens ;
six or eight young trees at The Hermitage ; one at Diana s 1 eak ;
and one at High Peak. It flowers in June. Plate 28. Also Bot.
Mag. 1000.

96. *M. melanoxylon, Ait. ; Trochetia melanoxylon , Benth. et
Hk. f.— The Native Ebony of St. Helena. This plant I believe to be
now extinct. It formerly grew on the outer portions of the Island
near the coast, at alts, of 2 to 4, where the weatherbeaten stems
are still found deeply embedded in the surface soil. The last plant
I saw was a small one growing in the garden at Oakbank, about
twenty-five years ago, but it is not tliere now, and I bave seaicliec
the whole Island over for another, but in vain. The leaves were
dark-green, and the flowers white; the wood is very hard, heavy
black in colour, and extremely brittle. It is still collected and turned
into ornaments, which are much prized on account of its laii y.
That this tree once formed a considerable portion of the vege-
tation clothing the Island on those parts that are now quite barren,
is strongly evidenced by the many references to it m the local re-
cords. Plate 29.

246

ST. HELENA.

19. Sterctiliace^e.

Cheirostemon, Humb. et Bonpl.

97. C. platanioides, Humb. et Bonpl. — Two of the celebrated
“Hand-trees” are growing at Oakbank, alt. 3. In 1787 only one
tree was supposed to exist in the world, but in 1801 forests of it were
discovered in Guatemala. Bot. Mag. 5135. — Hab. Mexico.

20. Tiliace/E ( Linden Family).

Grewia, Juss.

98. G. oppositifolia, Boxb. — One small plant, with white blos-
soms, growing in the Ladies’ Garden at Plantation. — Hab. E. Indies.

99. G. occidentalis, Linn. — A small shrub growing uncultivated
at Bertrand’s House, Longwood. Very rare. Alt. 3' 8. Bot. Mao-.
422. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Triumfetta, Linn.

100. T. tomentosa, Bojer. — A small yellow-flowered bush,
growing in the Ladies’ Garden Plantation. Alt. 3 4. One plant
only. — Plab. Zanzibar.

21. TeRNSTR(EMIACE/E.

Camellia, Linn.

101. C. Sasanqua, Thunb. — Small single white-flowered Camellia,
of which there is one tree only, growing in the garden at Oakbank.
Alt. 3'2. Seeds. — Hab. China and Japan.

102. C. japonica, Linn.— The China Bose. The double-pink
variety grows wild, and is common, attaining to trees of twenty or
twenty-five feet in height, at West Lodge, alt. 4'6, and other
places as low down as 3'6. The common Fuchsia, F. coccinea, climbs
up the stems of these trees and falls in festoons from the top over
their bright glossy dark-green leaves, which contrast favourably with
its crimson blossoms. The white Camellia also grows well, at alt.
3‘S to 5. It attains a height of eight feet, and blossoms freely ;
rather common. The variegated white and red comes next in order

Plate 23

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botany.

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several trees, eight or ten feet high, grow at Oakbank, Mount Plea-
sant, &c., and occasional plants of the dark-red and single red
varieties also exist.— Hab. China and Japan. The double-pink
variety seeds.

Thea, Linn.

103. T. chinensis, Linn. — Tea Plant. One or two plants only
at Plantation, Oakbank, West Lodge, &c. Alt. 3’8 to 4'8 ; seeds
well. Bot. Mag. 998.— Hab. China.

22. Aurantiack/E {Orange Family).

Cookia, Sonner.

104. C. punctata, Retz.-The Wampee of the Chinese, mentioned
by Roxburgh as growing in the Island, llab. China.

Citrus, Linn.

105. C. Limonum, Risso. — Two varieties of the Lemon, the
Sweet and the Sour, occur. Formerly the Island was quite
a Lemon garden, producing fruit in perfection, bib now visitors,
and mariners after long sea voyages, look for them m vam. Hie
trees growing old, their roots penetrated thiough the upper soi
to the rock, and no new ones were planted, so that about
ten years ago Lemons became a scarce article. The tree once
grew plentifully in such places as Lemon Valley, Lemon Tree
Gut, &c., where now scarcely a vestige of one is to be seen. A re-
planting of this valuable and handsome tree has, however, been
recently commenced, and promises success It grows to ten
feet in height, equally well at alt. 1 to 4. Introduced m 1/18.-

106. C. Limetta, Risso. — Tlie Lime, once so abundant, suffered
the same fate as the Lemon, and I doubt if a Lime can now be ob-
tained in the Island. A replanting of trees, however, with proper
treatment and care, is, I believe, all that is requisite to re-establish
it, notwithstanding the blight which attacks the leaves ol al the
young plants of this genus. This blight assumes the form of a black
deposit over the surface of the leaves, causing many of them to become
knotty, crumpled, and sickly in appearance. -Hab. Asia.

107. 0. Aurantium, Linn.-Tbe Sweet Orange grows and fruits

248

ST. HELENA.

pretty well, but not to perfection ; no orange groves like those of
South Africa or Spain are to be found in St. Helena, but only a few
trees here and there bearing fruit of fair size and flavour. It grows
at alt. 1 to 4, but appears to answer best in the low valleys,
such as The Briars, and Maldivia, where it obtains most warmth. —
Hab. Asia.

108. C. vulgaris, Risso. — The Seville Orange grows and
fruits well, though not in any great quantity. The fruit is in
demand for marmalade. — Hab. Asia.

109. C. nobilis, Lour. — The Mandarin Orange grows to a large
tree, fifteen feet or more in height, and bears fruit abundantly at
alt. 1 to 3. The trees are now getting old, and require to be re-
placed by new ones. — Hab. China.

110. C. sp. ? — The Narchee Orange of South Africa is repre-
sented in the Island by one or two small trees only.

111. C. medica, Linn. — The Citron fruit was, about twelve
years ago, produced at Oakbank as fine as could be wished for, but
I doubt much if a single tree now exists in the Island. — Hab.
Asia.

112. C. decumana, Linn. — The Shaddock tree grows to a height
of twenty feet, and flowers well, but the fruit does not arrive at perfec-
tion. There are about twenty or thirty trees in the Island, growing
at alt. 1 to 3-5. — Hab. India.

Murraya, Linn.

113. M. exotica, Linn. — Red-berried China-box; two or three trees
only. Attains a height of fifteen feet ; flowers and fruits well. One
at Maldivia, C. Alt. '8, and also at Oakbank, H. L, 3’6. — Hab. E.
Indies.

23. Meliace^e.

Melia, Linn.

114. M. Azedarach, Linn. — Margossa; grows wild to a tree
ten to thirty feet in height, and is very common. C. and M.
Alt. T to 3-8. This is one of the handsomest plants in the
Island, more especially at Christmas time, when its masses of lilac-
coloured sweet-scented blossoms, contrasting richly with its bright
green leaves and yellow seeds, render it a conspicuous object

BOTANY.

249

amongst other foliage. It grows well in Jamestown, where the
white ants are very fond it; they make their way up through the
roots into the stems, leaving the bark untouched. The tree continues
to grow, and the first sign of their presence is the snapping off of
the trunk, when the whole of the wood inside has been eaten away.
Many of these trees, while alive, when tapped with the finger on the
outside, sound like a drum, being quite hollow inside. The timber
is not much used, but the leaves are much thought of by the
Islanders, who, steeping them in hot water, use them as an outward
application for sprains, bruises, &c. Bot. Mag. 1066. Hab. Syria
and E. Indies.

\ M. composita, Willd. Mentioned

115. M. superba, Roxb. by Eoxblirgll M growing in the

116. M. robusta, Roxb. j Island.

24. Cedrerace.e ( Mahogany Family).

Cedrela, Linn.

117. C. Toona, Roxb.— Two large specimens of this fine Indian
timber tree grow at Mr. Elliot’s, Woodlands. Alt. 3'6. They
seed freely. — Hab. E. Indies.

Swietenia, Linn.

118. S. Mahagoni, Linn. — The Mahogany tree is said by
Roxburgh to grow in the Island ; but I have not seen either it or
8. febrifuga, the East Indian Fever-bark tree, which he also includes
in his list of plants. — Hab. W . Indies.

25. Linage.® [Flax Family).

Linum, Linn.

119. L. usitatissimum, Linn. — Flax is occasionally seen about
fields on the high land; probably introduced with barley or oat
seed. — A cultivated form whose native country is unknown.

26. Geraniace® ( CranesbiU Family).

Erodium, L’Herit.

120. E. romanum, W.— Small pink-flowered Geranium ; grows

250

ST. HELENA.

wild, and is common under walls and stones along roadsides, Cleugh’s
Plain, &c. M. Alt. 2 '4. — Hab. Italy.

Pelargonium, LMIerit.

121. *P. cotyledonis, L’Herit. ; Er odium sempervivum, Koxb. —
This plant, to which the St. Helenians have given the name of “ Old
Father Live for Ever,” from its power of retaining vitality for
months without either soil or water, is the most curious of all the
indigenous plants. It is now very rare, but still to be found at
alts. T to 2, clinging to the barren, exposed, rocky cliffs overhanging
the sea-coast on the windward side of the Island, where there is least
soil and moisture. The colour of its stem is a chocolate-brown, con-
siderably mottled by the grey lichens growing upon it, and so
nearly resembles the dark basaltic cliffs and soil upon which it is
found, that at the time when the plant is leafless it is most difficult
to distinguish it from the rock upon which it grows. It seems to
seek out the most inaccessible places, where there is no other vege-
tation— indeed, where nothing else would grow ; and not without
some risk are the plants of it to be obtained. It throws out its
leaves and white blossoms about May or June, after the summer
rains ; these soon die away again, leaving the plant for the most part
of tlie year very much like a knotted mass of old fir-tree roots. It is
now chiefly found on Sandy Bay Barn and Man and Horse Clifls ;
and the only places inland where it occurs, and that very rarely, are
Cole’s Eock, in Sandy Bay, and the eastern side of High Knoll,
alt. 3'75. Plate 30. Also L’Heritier Geraniaceae, t. 27.

122. P. denticulatum, Jacq. — Nutmeg Geranium ; grows wild
about the high land shrubberies, especially in the neighbourhood
of St. Paul’s churchyard, where it is very common. — Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

123. P. graveolens, Ait. — Geranium with the odour of a Bose,
said by Koxburgh to grow in the Island. — Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

124. P. hybridum, Ait. — Bastard Scarlet Geranium; grows
wild, associated with the larger variety. — Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

125. P. glutinosum, Ait. — Oak-leaf Geranium; growTS wild
and abundantly about the woodside hedges and St. Paul s

Hite 30.

Vincent Broods Day & Setninj

PELAR JONIU Vi

G 0 T Y L E D 0 N I S .

i. Reeve &G° Loudon.

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BOTANY.

251

churchyard. Alt. 3 to 4. Bot. Mag. 143. Hah. Cape of Good
Hope.

126. P. zonale, Willd. var. — Common pale red Geranium, of
which there are various shades, all being garden varieties, or hybrids
of this species ; grows wild, and is very common about the roadside
hedges and churchyards, Soutliens, &c. Alt. 3 to 4.

127. P. Tbetulinum, Ait.— White-flowered Geranium, said by
Roxburgh to grow in the Island. Bot. Mag. 148. Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

128. P. capitatum, Ait. — Bose-scented Geranium, with purple
blossoms, said by Roxburgh to grow in the Island. Hab. Cape
of Good Hope.

129. P. angulosum, Ait. — Marshmallow-leaved Geranium, with
purple blossoms, said by Roxburgh to grow in the Island. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

130. P. cucullatum, Ait. — Hooded-leaved Geranium, with purple
flowers, said by Roxburgh to grow in the Island.— Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

131. P. inquinans, Ait. — Common Scarlet Geranium ; grows wild,
and is very common both on the low and high lands. Alt. 1 6 to 4.
It is very abundant, and grows amongst the Prickly-pear bushes at
The Briars and on Barnes’ Road, where its bright blossoms contrast
prettily with the grey lichen-coloured rocks. It also abounds in the
central part of the Island, along roadside hedges, and about St.
Paul’s churchyard. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

27. BALSAMiNACE.n ( Balsam Family).

Impatiens, Linn.

132. I. Balsamina, Linn. — The Garden Balsam grows and
flowers abundantly in many varieties of colour. Cultivated in gar-
dens.— Hab. E. Indies.

28. T R o P /E o L a c e M ( Nasturtium Family).

Tropteolum, Linn.

133. T. majors, Linn. — Several varieties of the Nasturtium grow
wild and are very common at most C., M., and H. L. alts, viz., Brown,
Red, Orano-e, and Yellow-flowered; while several other and more

252

ST. HELENA.

choice kinds are cultivated in gardens. The seeds are pickled while
green, and used as a substitute for capers. — Hab. Peru.

134. T. aduneum, Sm. — Cultivated in gardens, generally, though
rare. It seeds well. — Hab. Peru.

29. Oxalidacea; [Wood Sorrel Family).

Averrhoa, Linn.

135. A. Carambola, Linn. — Chinese Gooseberry; grows in The
Briars garden, M. alt. 1'6, to a good-sized tree, and bears fruit abun-
dantly, which is chiefly used for preserves. — Hab. Probably China or
Hong Kong.

Oxalis, Linn.

136. O. caprina, Thunb. — Sour Bell. This beautiful yellow-
flowered Oxalis grows wild, and is very common, alt. 3 8, covering
whole fields with its bright blossoms. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

137. O. caprina, Thunb. var. — The small pink-flowered Sorrel,
which grows wild in gardens on the high land. Alt. 3'8.

138. O. corniculata, Linn. — The very small yellow-flowered
Sorrel, which forms one of the most abundant weeds all over the
Island. Found in all parts of the world except the coldest.

139. O. variabilis, Jacq. — Ladies’ Thimble; grows wild in gar-
dens on the high land. Bot. Mag. 1712. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

140. O. rubella, Jacq. — Small Red Oxalis, in gardens, uncul-
tivated, and rather common. Oakbank, &c. Bot. Mag. 1031. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

141. O. Martiana, Zucc. — Pink Oxalis; uncultivated; com-
mon in gardens and on the high land. — Hab. Brazil.

30. ZygophyllejE.

Melianthus, Linn.

142. M. major, Linn. — Honey Flower ; grows about shrub-
beries, &c. Alt. 3‘8. Wild,ratlier common. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

143. M. minor, Linn. — A smaller species, found in similar
situations, but less common. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Tribulus, Linn.

144. T. terrestris, Linn.' — I have only seen one plant of this
low creeping bush, with bright yellow blossoms and curious-shaped

BOTANY.

253

prickly seeds, and that was growing on the rocky ground near the
sea at Prosperous Bay Telegraph Station.— Hab. S. of Europe, Asia,
Africa, &c.

31. Simabubeje ( Quassia Family).

Ailanthus, Desf.

145. A. glandulosa, W.— One plant, introduced to Plantation
Garden from Kew in 1864, in six years attained the height of
eighteen or twenty feet. Many cuttings have also been taken
from the original plant, and it might be greatly extended for the
purpose of rearing silkworms. — 'Hab. China.

32. Eutaceaj (Hue Family).

Calodendron, Thunb.

146. C. capense, Thunb. — Wild Chestnut ; a tree with beau-
tiful clusters of pale pink flowers, growing near the stables and
Ladies’ Garden at Plantation, and also at W oodlands. , It seeds, but
is rather rare.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope and Hew South Wales.

Diosma, Linn.

147. D. ericoides, Linn.-Sweet Thyme ; grows in gardens on
the high land, but does not seed or easily propagate by cuttings.
Alt. 3‘8. Cultivated, and rather rare— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Euta, Linn.

148. It. graveolens, Linn. — Eue ; grows cultivated in gardens
on the high land ; rather rare. — Plab. S. of Europe.

Toddalia, Juss.

149. T. lanceolata, Lam.— One tree only growing on the Island,
at Joho’s Hole, in Plantation grounds, where it attains a height
of thirty feet or more ; flowers and seeds.

33. Anacardiace.e ( Cashew-nut Family).

Harpephyllum, Bernh.

150. H. caffrum, Bernh. — The Caffre or Sour Led Date;

254,

ST. HELENA .

uncultivated and common. Alt. 3 to 4. Grows to a tree about
forty to fifty feet in height, and bears a bright red fruit, shaped
like a date. It is very acid, but being of a pleasant flavour is
eaten by children, &c. Seeds abundantly. — Hab. S. Africa.

Mangifera, Linn.

151. M. indiea, Linn. — Three kinds of Mango grow in St. Helena
at low altitudes, C. "8 to 1 '4, and bear fruit to perfection. The Yellow
East Indian Mango (of which there is a tree at Maldivia Gardens
which has borne fruit since 1827, and whose branches extend over an
area forty feet in diameter), bears fruit abundantly, and is con-
sidered by travellers and others capable of judging to be equal
in flavour to any Mangoes in the world. I cannot help here remark-
ing on the absurdity of importing these and other Tropical fruits
into England, where they are no more like the real fruit than a
turnip is like a peach. There can be no doubt that a Tropical fruit
must be eaten in a Tropical country, if its characteristics are to be
appreciated and enjoyed, and the endeavour in the present day to
place these fruits on the English dinner-table is a failure as well as
an injustice to the natural production itself.

There is also in St. Helena the large Green Mango, which is nearly
as good as the Yellow ; and also a small bastard kind growing at
The Briars, which is not eatable. The Mango is not one of the most
abundant fruits, as there are scarcely more than half a dozen trees
in the Island, but they bear abundantly in the months of March and
April, and the seeds germinate readily. Bot. Mag. 4510. — Hab. E.
Indies.

Pistacia, Linn.

152. P. Ter ebin thus, Linn. — Cypress Turpentine tree; recently
introduced from the Iioyal Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Mediterranean
region.

Bhus, Linn.

153. R. sp. ? — Called Wild Mango; one tree only growing at
The Briars.

154. R. sp. P — A small Sumach plant, recently introduced from
Kew to Plantation Gardens.

BOTANY.

255

Pittosporum, Banks.

155. P.tobira, Ait.— China Box; grows to a shrubby tree about
teu feet high, uncultivated, and is common. Alt. 4. A good deal
used as hedges in shrubberies, &c. Bot. Mag. 1396. Hab. China.

156. P. undulatum, Vent. — Tree Pittosporum ; uncultivated
and rather common. Alt. 3 '8. One of the handsomest trees in the
Island, growing large and bushy to a height of tliiity or forty feet,
and flowering profusely. The rich perfume of its blossoms extends

over a considerable area. — Hab. New South Wales.

157. P. viridiflorum, Sims. — One of the most abundant shrub
plants, growing wild about St. Paul’s new churchyard and other
places at alt. 3'8, where its delicious perfume, when in blossom,
easily reveals its locality. It attains a height of ten or twelve feet.
Bot. Mag. 1684. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope. All these species seed

well.

34. VitacE/E {Vine Family).

Vitis, Linn.

158. V. capensis, Thunb.; Cissus capensis. — Velvet Thorn; grows
uncultivated and fruits well at Rosemary Hall, Plantation, &c.
H. L. Alt. 3. Rare. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

159. V.vinifera, Linn.— The Grape was introduced in 1718. Pour

kinds grow in the Island ; cultivated for the sake of the fruit ; rather
common. C. and M. Alt. -4 to 3. It thrives best in the hot val-
leys, such as James’ Valley and that below Longwood. I have seen
splendid grapes grown at St. Helena, but lately they appear to
have been somewhat blighted. In some places where gardens
formerly existed, the Vine now grows m an almost uncultivated
state. There is no record of any attempt having been made to cul-
tivate the plant for the purpose of making wine m the Island. T is
is remarkable, inasmuch as the climate and soil of St Helena are very
similar to those at Madeira. It is possible that the energy of the
islanders may not have been directed in that way, because of the
facilities which exist for obtaining wine from the Cape of Good
Hope.

35. RhamnexE {Buckthorn Family).

Noltia, Reichb.

Rchb. — A small Birch-like shrub, growing

160. N. africana,

256

ST. HELENA.

wild at Walbro’ Cottage, Plantation, Oakbank, &c. Alt. 3.
Common.

Nesiota, Hk. f.

161. *N. elliptica, Hk. f. ; Phylica elliptica, Eoxb.— This hand-
some indigenous plant, known as the Wild Olive of Diana’s Peak,
growing amongst the ferns and other native vegetation on the
north side of the central ridge, attains to a stout shrubby tree, about
fifteen or eighteen feet high. It puts forth its small pink-tinted
blossoms in the months of June to October, and seeds well; but
very few trees now remain, probably not more than twelve or fifteen
at the most, and these grow chiefly on the northern side of the
central ridge, where it is easily recognised by its deep-grey foliage,
m contrast with the pale-green which characterizes the other indi-
genous plants. Alt. 5-2. Plate 31. Also Hk. Icon. Plant. 1052.

Phylica, Linn.

162. *P. ramosissima, D.C., P. rosmarinifolia, Eoxb.— The na-
tive Eosemary is a very pretty shrubby plant, ranging in height
from a small bush to about twelve feet ; the leaves are bright-green
on the upper, and white on the under side, which gives a silvery
appearance to the foliage ; the stems are very crooked, attaining a
size of about four to ten inches diameter, and the wood is white and
hard, very suitable for turning. I have not seen it either above or
below the alt. of 3 to 4 ; it grows mostly at Fairy Land, Plantation,
Eosemaiy Hall, Oaklands, Oakbank, and other places of similar
position, but its most remarkable locality is on the top of the pile of
rock called Lot, where about a dozen large bushes of it seem to
thrive without any soil. This plant is gradually disappearing, per-
haps not more than 100 specimens now exist. Plate 32. Also Hk.
Icon. Plant. 1051.

36. Celastrine -E ( Spindle-tree Family ).

Celastrus, Linn.

. 163‘ C- sp> ?~ 0ne sma11 P]ant only, growing near the western
side of Plantation House ; seeds well.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Plate 31.

Viucont Brooks Bay &Soii16np.

iN.Pudi .delelJith.

PJ E S I 0 TA ELLIPTIC A.

l.Ueeve & G® London

BOTANY.

257

87. Malpighiace.®.

Acer, Linn.

1G4. A. Pseudo -platanus, Linn. — Sycamore Maple, mentioned
by Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. Britain.

38. Sapindace.e {Soapberry Family).

Euphoria, Juss.

165. E. Longana, Juss. — One or two trees, about twelve feet high,
with dark-reddish leaves, grow in the valley above the Jos House*
at Plantation. Alt. 2'6 ; does not fruit. — Hab. China.

Nephelium, Linn.

166. N. Litchi, Don— Litchi ; a fine tree grows at Oakbank,
on the high land, alt. 3, and bears fruit, but not in perfection. It is
the only tree in the Island. — Hab. China.

167. N. lappaceum, Linn. — The Rambutan of the East; grows
well to a good-sized tree in the Botanical and the Maldivia Gardens,
C. alt. '5 to '7, in Jamestown, in the former of which it fruits well.
This fruit is mistaken for the Litchi in the Island; it is very rare.
Bot. Mag. 4096. — Hab. China.

39. PoLYGALACEAE.

Muraltia, Neck.

168. M. heisteria, D.C.— Prickly Heath; growing in gardens,
very rare, cultivated. Bot. Mag. 340. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Poly gala, Linn.

169. P. myrtifolia, Linn.— Wild Senna; a small shrub with
flowers purple inside and green outside ; grows uncultivated in
shrubberies, &c. ; rather common. Alt. 3 8. Plantation, Lot s
Wife Wood, &c.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

40. LEGUMiNosiE {Pulse Family).

SUB-ORD. PAPILIONACEiE.

Abrus, Linn.

170. A. precatorius, Linn.— Wild Liquorice; mentioned by

s

258

ST. SELENA.

Roxburgh as growing in the Island. This plant has often been
introduced, but does not appear to succeed. — Hab. West Indies.

Sesbania, Pers.

171. S. aculeata, Pers. Recorded by Roxburgh as growing in
the Island. — Hab. India.

Cicer, Linn.

172. C. arietinum, Linn. — Chick Pea; mentioned by Rox-
burgh as growing in the Island. Rot. Mag. 2274.— Hab. S. of
Europe and Asia Minor.

Clitoria, Linn.

1/3. C. Ternatea, Linn. — Blue Clitoria; cultivated as a g: Men
plant; seeds well. Bot. Mag. 1542.— Hab. E. Indies.

Sutherlandia, R. Br.

174. S. frutescens, R. Br. — Bladder Senna; a scarlet-blossomed
plant, cultivated in gardens. Alt. 3'8 ; rare ; seeds freely.— Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

Coronilla, Linn.

175. C. glauea, Linn.— This plant, with its pretty yellow, pea-
shaped blossoms, grows in gardens, cultivated; and very rare.
Alt. 3-8 ; seeds freely. — Hab. S. of France.

Crotalaria, Linn.

1/6. C. incana, Linn. — Growing in Lowe’s Gardens, recently in-
troduced from the West Coast of Africa, where, it is said, the natives
use it as a substitute for beans and peas. — Hab. West Indies.

177. C. retusa, Linn. — Yellow and purple flowered; said by
Roxburgh to grow in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

178. C. laburnifolia, Linn.— Mentioned by Roxburgh as
growing in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies and Ceylon.

179. C. arborescens, Lam.— A tall shrub with yellow blossoms,
commonly, but erroneously, called Laburnum. Grows wild, but
not abundantly, in the neighbourhood of Plantation. H. L. Alt. 4 —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Plate 32.

L ."Reeve &. C° London.

BOTANY.

259

Dalbergia, Linn.

180. D. frondosa, Eoxb.—' This and the following species are
large timber trees of Bengal, and are recorded by Eoxbuigh as
growing in tbe Island. It is probable tliat they were at that time
introduced, and have not succeeded. — Hab. Bengal.

181. D. Sissoo, Eoxb. — Hab. Bengal.

Desmodium, Desv.

182. D. argenteum, Wall. — A very pretty shrubby plant, with,
silvery leaves and purple pea-shaped flowers, growing at I he Her-
mitage, Plantation, &c., uncultivated ; seeds freely, but is raie.
Hab. S. America.

183. D. arenarium, H. B. et K. — A small shrub, with yellow
blossoms, somewhat like those of the Laburnum, growing wild in
Maldivia Gardens. C. Alt. '8 — Hab. America and West Indies.

Dolichos, Linn.

184. D. lignosus, Linn. — Common pink Dolichos; cultivated
in gardens; seeds well, but is rare. Bot. Mag. 380. Hab. L.
Indies.

Erythrina, Linn.

185. E. caffra, Thunb. — Cock and Hen, or Cape Coral
Tree; grows wild, and is very common, from Jamestown, alt. ‘5, up
to the high land, alt. 4 It attains to a large tree, forty feet in
height, with a stem four or five feet in diameter. Its bright scarlet
flowers contrast well with its dark-green leaves. It is much used
in hedges as fences, but is objectionable because it requires, in con-
sequence of its very rapid growth, so much attention. The roots
also extend to a considerable distance, and greatly impoverish the
surrounding land. The timber is tough, very coarse, and little
used ; the leaves, however, afford good food for cattle, and in seasons
of drought become very valuable for that purpose. Two species
grow in the Island. One of them, B. corallodendrum ?, flowers when
out of leaf, and the apparently dead tree, covered thickly all over
with bunches of deep scarlet blossoms, is a singular object. This is
the least common of the two, and may be seen in Jamestown, and
at the foot of Barnes’ Road. The brilliant red seeds are worked

260

ST. HELENA.

into necklaces, ornamental baskets, and mats. C. to H. L. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

180. E. speciosa, Andr. — A smaller species, growing wild, and
ratber common at Terrace Knoll, Hut’s Gate, &c. Alt. 3 to 3'8.
Attains a height of eight or ten feet. — Hab. W. Indies.

Hardenbergia, Benth.

187. H. monophylla, Bentli. — A very pretty little pink-blos-
somed plant, recently introduced, and growing well in the Gardens
at Scotland, and Oaklands. — Hab. Australia.

Indigofera, Linn.

188. I. tinctoria, Linn. — The Indigo plant ; was introduced in
1678, and grown in Oakbank and other gardens, at alt. 35, but is
now very rare. — Hab. E. Indies.

Lathyrus, Linn.

189. L. tingitanus, Linn. — Tangier Pea; grows wild and is
common about The Hermitage, Myrtle Grove, &c. Alt. 3 '7. — Hab.
Morocco.

190. L. odoratus, Linn. — The Sweet Pea and Painted Lady,
with several other varieties, grow well and abundantly, cultivated
in gardens generally. — Hab. Mediterranean region.

Lupinus, Linn.

191. L. angustifolius, Linn. — A blue-flowered Lupin, which
grows wild and is common at Rosemary Hall, alt. 4, and has there
quite taken possession of one or two paddocks. — Hab. S. Europe.

192. L. luteus, Linn. — Yellow Lupin grows cultivated in
gardens; rare. Alt. 4‘8. — Hab. Sicily.

Medicago, Linn.

193. M. nigra, Willd. — Small yellow Trefoil; wild, and very com-
mon about Plantation, &c. Alt. 3'8. Quite a weed. — Hab. S. Europe.

194. M. maculata, Sibtli. — A small yellow-flowered Trefoil,
growing as a weed, and common about the high lands. — Hab. Europe,
N. Africa.

BOTANY.

2G1

195. M. denticulata, Willd. — Small yellow-flowered Trefoil ; a
weed, and very common about the fields on the upper land. Hab.
S. of Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia, to India.

Hi 196. M. sativa, Einn. — Lucerne grows to a small extent, unculti-
vated, below tlie Stables at Plantation ; rare. Hab. Euiope.

Melilotus, Juss.

197. M. parviflora, Desq. — A small yellow-flowered Plant,
rather common, and growing wild on Barnes Road, and other rocky
low land situations. The flowers have a strong perfume, resembling
that of newly-mown bay. M. Alt. 3. — Hab. Europe.

Pisurn, Linn.

198. P. sativum, Linn. — Garden Pea; several varieties are
cultivated. — Hab. S. of Europe.

Psoralea, Linn.

199. P. pinnata, Linn. — The Native “Christmas,” or “Gobble
Gheer.” It is difficult to trace the origin of the latter name ; the
former is in consequence of the plant flowering but once a year, and
that at Christmas time. At that season it is greatly used in floral
decorations, for churches and houses, and to the St. Helenian is
quite what Holly and Mistletoe are to the people of England. It
grows wild to a slight tree, about ten feet in height, and is veiy
common. M. Alt. 3 ‘6 to 4. Doubtless this plant existed in the
Island on its discovery. — Hab. St. Helena?, and Cape ol Good Hope.

Phaseolus, Linn.

200. P. lunatus, Linn. — Lima Bean ; said by Roxburgh to grow
in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

201. P. vulgaris, Linn. — Several varieties of Kidney Bean are
cultivated. — Hab. India.

Sopliora, Linn.

202. S. japonica, Linn. — Recently introduced from the Royal
Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Japan and China.

202

ST. SELENA.

Spartium, Linn.

203. S. junceum, Linn. — Spanish Broom grows and blossoms
well in some of the gardens on the high land. Alt. 37. —Hah. S.
of Europe.

Trifolium, Linn.

204. T. praten.se, Linn. — Common Bed Clover. This plant does
not thrive, although repeated attempts have been made to introduce
it. It merely exists as a few plants here and there. — Hab. Europe,
N. Africa, JST.W. Asia.

Ulex, Linn.

205. U. europaeus, Linn. — Fuz-bush, Furze, Gorse, or Whin, as
it is called, grows wild, and is very common. M. and H. L. Alt. 2 to
5'2. One of the most abundant plants in the Island, covering many
acres of the somewhat barren outskirts of the high land. The
stems are much used for firewood in preference to the wood of the
fir-tree, in consequence of its containing no turpentine. Many of
the natives make a living by cutting and sending it on their donkeys
into the town, for sale as firewood. Blossoms in October. —
Hab. Denmark to Italy and Greece, Canaries and Azores.

Yicia, Linn.

206. V. faba, Linn. — Several varieties of the Garden Bean are
cultivated in gardens as a vegetable, and sold in the market. — Hab.
Egypt.

207. V. sativa, Linn. — The pink-flowering Tare, grows wild
and is very common in the hayfields and meadows on the high land.
Alt. 3'8. — Hab. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia to India.

Virgilia, Lam.

208. V. eapensis, Lam.— This beautiful tree, known as the
Sophora, flourishes on the high land, where in an uncultivated state
it attains a height of twenty feet. It bears its richly perfumed
blossoms freely, but seldom seeds, and the plant is less abundant
now than it was ten or twelve years ago. Bot. Mag. 151)0. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

BOTANY.

263

SU15-0RD. CA5SALPINEJ3.

Bauliinia, Linn.

209. B. purpurea? Linn. — One tree growing in Maldivia Gar-
dens. C. Alt. -7. Blossoms and seeds well. — Hab. E. Indies.

Cassia, Linn.

210. C. occidentals, Linn. ; C. aurea, Roxb. — Yellow Cassia ;
on the rocky ground in Lemon Valley, &c. C. Alt. *2tol. Wild

and common. — Hab. Tropics generally.

211. C. lsevigata, Willd. — Common yellow Cassia ; grows wild
to a small tree about six feet bigb along the roadsides, &c., on the
high land. Alt. 4. Here and there clumps of these trees, in full, rich,
golden blossom, form a conspicuous feature. Hab. Iropics geneially.

212. C. microphylla, Willd — Small-leaved Cassia; said, with the
following two species, by Roxburgh, to grow in the Island. 'Hab.
Santa Cruz.

213. C. alata, Linn. — Broad-leaved Cassia. — Hab. Tropics.

214. C. Sophera, Linn. ; C. esculenta, Roxb. Round-podded
Cassia. — Hab. E. Indies, Egypt, Chma.

Cmsalpinia, Linn.

215. C. Sappan, Linn. — Prickly, yellow-flowered Pomciana,
grows wild, but is rather rare, in hedges, &c., near Rural Retreat.
Alt. 2-4 to 3’6. — Hab. E. Indies.

Gleditschia, Linn.

216. G. sinensis, Lam.— One of these beautiful trees exists in
the Island, and grows a little to the west of Plantation House,
alt. 3 '8, where it has attained to a height of thirty feet, or
more. It blossoms and seeds freely. There is also a tree near
Bertrand’s House, at Longwood, which probably may be the same
species. — Hab. China.

217. G. horida, W. — One tree mentioned by Roxburgh as
growing in the Governor’s garden. — Hab. China.

Guilandina, Linn.

218. G. Bondue, Linn. — The hard, slate-coloured seeds of this
plant are frequently washed ashore on the beach at Sandy Ba\ ,

2G4

ST. HELENA.

they are probably brought from the eastward round the Cape of
Good Hope by sea currents. I have not met with an instance
of their having germinated at St. Helena. — Hab. India, &c.

Parkinsonia, Linn.

219. P. aculeata, Linn. — A tree bearing thorns and orange-
coloured blossoms, said by Boxburgli to grow in the Island. — Hab.
W. Indies.

Poinciana, Linn.

220. P. pulcherrima, Linn. — Barbadoes Pride ; one or two
plants grow in the garden of the Old Jail at Bupert’s. C. Alt. '6.
Flowers and seeds. Bot. Mag. 995. — Hab. E. and W. Indies.

Schotia, Jacq.

221. S. tamarindifolia, Afz. — Coral Tree; only one plant in
the Island, about seven feet in height, growing at Francis Plain ;
blossoms well and bears seed. M. Alt. 2-G. Bot. Mao-. 1153 —

n

Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Tamarindus, Linn.

222. T. indica, Linn. — There are but four or five Tamarind trees,
which grow in James Valley. They attain a height of thirty feet,
flower well, and fruit fairly. C. — Hab. India.

SUB-ORD. MIMOSEiE,

Piptadenia, Benth.

223. P. peregrina, Bth. — The Seed Work Acacia of the
Islanders attains to a tall shrub of eight feet, and is rather com-
mon and uncultivated, chiefly in Jamestown, but also at C. and M.
Alts. 3. The seeds are gathered, dyed black, and strung together to
form bracelets, brooches, and other ornaments. — Hab. Brazil.

Acacia, Willd.

224. A. dealbata, Link. — Fine-leaved Acacia ; with blue-green
foliage and yellow blossoms, rather common, and growing wild at
Plantation, Bosemary Hall, Prospect, &c., to a shrubby tree
twenty feet in height. — Hab. Australia.

225. A. decurrens, Willd.— Fine-leaved Acacia, with bright-green
foliage and clusters of small, round, yellow blossoms emitting a de-
lightful perfume, growing wild, and is common at Sydenham, Oak-

BOTANY.

2G5

bank, &c., to an upright tree about twenty feet kigb.— Hab. New
South Wales, Port Jackson.

226. A. implexa, Bth. — A tree very like the Port Jackson W lllow
Acacia, but having globular flowers, growing uncultivated, and is
rather rare, in the valley above the J os House at Plantation. Hab.
Australia.

227. A. longifolia, Willd. — The Port Jackson Willow is one
of the most abundant plants, and at the same time one of the most
beautiful in the Island ; it varies in size from a large bush to a tree
thirty feet high, and in the spring months of September and October,
when it is covered with a mass of bright gamboge-yellow flowers the
contrast it forms with the dark green foliage of the firs and light
green oaks is very striking and beautiful. It grows wild and is
common at all heights, but apparently best at mid altitudes, where
in some places small forests of it exist. The timber is very beau-
tiful, in appearance something between Walnut and Satinwood, it
is close-grained and hard, and takes a fine polish ; it may be abun-
dantly obtained in planks as wide as twelve or fifteen inches. The
bark of the tree, which contains a large quantity of tannin, might
be collected and used in the preparation of leather ; but up to the
present time little use has been made of either timber or bark beyond
that of firewood. Bot. Mag. 21G6.-Hab. New South Wales.

228. A. verticillata latifolia , Willd. — Acacia ; with pale-ye ow
blossoms, very like those of A. longifolia, but with short, stiff, prickly
dark oreen leaves. Grows uncultivated, but is rare, to a good-sized
tree at Plantation, &c. Bot. Mag. HO.-Hab New Holland.

229 A. spectabilis, Cunn.— Large round yellow-flowered Acacia,
bearing very long thorns or spikes ; is common and grows wild to a
bushy tree, about ten feet high, on the low land, at The Briars, Ladder

Ull230C' A. suaveolens, Willd.— A small plant about four feet high,
with yellow Acacia-like flowers ; grows at Fairyland. Seeds, but is

rare. — Hab. New South Wales. , -.

931 A. melanoxylon, E. Br.— A tree recently introduced, and

appears to thrive well. Two or three specimens of it, about twenty
feet in height, grow in a field at the back of Scotland Alt. 3-8.
The leaves of this tree resemble those of A. longifolia, but the tloweis
are globular.— Hab. Australia, Van Diemen’s Land.

232. A. arabica, Willd. — Gum Arabic tree.

Roxburgh men-

266

ST. HELENA.

tions this plant as growing in the Island, but I have only seen a few
young plants occasionally in gardens. — Hab. E. Indies.

233. A. rangraensis, . — Has recently been introduced to the

Island from the Royal Gardens at Hew.

Albizzia, Durazz.

234. A. Lebbek, 13th. — I have seen but three specimens of this
tree, which attains a height of ten feet or so, growing in the Island,
and they occur in Jamestown. C. Alt. -2. It blossoms and seeds
abundantly, but does not multiply. — Hab. Egypt, &c.

235. A. lophantha, Bth. ; Acacia lophantha, Willd.— The
Blackboy of the islanders ; grows wild, and is common at M. alts,
from 2 to 4 ; attains a height of ten to fifteen feet, and, when voung,
forms most graceful, pretty foliage. As the tree grows up, however’
it loses its leaves, and therewith its beauty. It grows a good
deal over the low, barren parts, and affords firewood to the natives.
Bot. Mag. 2108. — Hab. Australia.

Entada, Linn.

236. E. scandens, Linn.— Sea Bean. These large beans are
cast ashore on the windward side of the Island, having been brought
from the Mauritius, or elsewhere, by sea currents. They have
been known to germinate, and the plant to attain a consi-
derable size in the Island ; but it is doubtful if one now exists
there. — Hab. India.

Mimosa, Linn.

237. M. sensitiva, Linn. — I have seen this in gardens, but it is
very rare. — Hab. Brazil.

Pithecolobium, Mart.

238. P. dulce, Mart. — Two small shrubs grow near the marble
column in the Castle Gardens, Jamestown. C.

41. Rosace.® ( Bose Family).

SUB-ORD. AMYGDALE®.

Amygdalus, Linn.

239. A. communis, Linn.— The Almond ; a few trees only.—
Hab. H. Africa, Asia Minor, &c.

240. A. persica, Linn. The Peach ; grows wild to trees

BOTANY.

267

thirty feet in height, at all C. to H. L. alts., and is very common.—
Hab. Persia. There are at least twenty varieties, some partaking ot
the flavour of the Nectarine, others of the Apricot, as follows
( Clingstone.

- Dry, freestone ; 2 kinds, large and small.

[juicy.

Clingstone, resembling nectarine in flavour.

Real juicy peach.

' | Dark red. )_ ,

T . . . , Freestone.

(Light red.)

Dry, freestone ; 2 kinds.

. Small ; clingstone.

Island, or very large ditto.

White

Red

Yellow

| Clingstone.

White and Eed | Freestone.

("Clingstone ; 2 kinds.

Red and Yellow! Juicy, freestone.

[Dry ditto.

™ , (White.

(Red.

Cerasus, Juss.

241. C. Laurocerasus, Bose. — Common Laurel, grows un-
cultivated in shrubberies on the high land to a height of eight or
nine feet. Not very abundant; blossoms, but seldom seeds.— Hab.

S.W. Europe.

Prunus, Linn.

242. .P. Armeniaca, Linn —Apricot ; a few trees on the high
land, which do not appear to thrive or bear much fruit.— Hab.

Levant.

SUB-ORD. ROSE^E.

Fragaria, Linn.

043 F. vesca, Linn -The Wild Strawberry ; grows wild about
gardens, and in the woods near Mount Pleasant ; not very common.
Alt. 4-5.— Hab. Britain, Europe, N. Africa, Sibena, W. Asia to

the Himalaya, E. and W. N. America. .

244. F. elatior, Linn.— Garden Strawberry ; cultivated, alt. 3 8,
but does not bear fruit well. — Hab. Europe, &c.

268

ST. HELENA.

Geum, Linn.

245. G. urbanum, Linn. — A weed with strawberry-like blossoms,
growing wild, and is very common. Alt. A to 4. — Hab. Britain,
Europe, N. Africa, Siberia, W. Asia to the Himalaya, E. and W.
N. America.

Bosa, Linn.

246. R. triphylla, Boxb. — Large single White Bose ; grows
wild, and is rather common, in the roadside hedges on the high land.
Alt. 4. Flowers in September and October. — Hab. China.

247. R. indica, Linn. — Single White Bose; mentioned by
Boxburgh. — Hab. China.

248. R. rubiginosa, Linn. — Sweet Briar ; grows in gardens on
the high land. Alt. 3'8, cultivated, and rather rare. — Hab. Europe,
Siberia, W. Asia to N.W. India.

249. R. multiflora, Thunb. — Multiflora Bose ; grows wild
abundantly and is common in St. Paul’s churchyard, &c., as a hedge
plant; flowers very freety. H. L. Alt. 3 to 4. Bot. Mag. 1059. —
Hab. China.

250. R. centifolia, Linn. — Mentioned by Boxburgh. — Hab. S.
of Europe.

251. R. centifolia muscosa, Ait. — Moss Bose; mentioned by
Boxburgh, but not now to be seen. There is a Bose, however, very
like it, without the moss, common and almost wild in the Island. — .
Hab. Europe.

252. R. bracteata, Boxb. — Macartney Bose; grows well in
gardens. Bot. Mag. 284. — Hab. China.

253. R. microphylla, Boxb. — Commonly called “ The Thousand-
leaved Bose.” It grows uncultivated, and somewhat abundantly, in
shrubberies. H. L. Alt. 4. Bot. Mag. 3490. — Hab. China.

254. R. Banksiae ? B. Br. — Seven Sisters Bose ; growing in the
garden at Terrace Knoll only. Bot. Mag. 1954. — Hab. China.

Bubus, Linn.

255. R. rhamnifolius, Weih. et Nees. — A large-fruited Black-
berry ; growing on the high land in the neighbourhood of Planta-
tion, &c., where it is called English Blackberry, to distinguish it
from the common bramble. It is confined to a few small patches

botany.

2C9

only, alt. 3 to 4 ; but although it fruits well, it does not spread.

256. R. pinnatus, Willd.-The Common Blackberry of the Island
(introduced in 1775) is one of the most abundant of all plants It is
confined to Alt. 3 to 5 '4, and overruns large patches of land . It
affords good cover for pheasants, and the fruit is gathered for making
jams and tarts ; beyond this I do not know of its usefulness m any
way. It quickly spreads over the grass lands if left unchecked and
is now overgrowing the native plants on Diana’s Peak and the lig
ridge. It is thus assisting in the destruction of the indigenous
flora, preventing the seeds from germinating by excluding bot i
light and air from the soil upon which they may fall. It may
be described as very common, and growing wild on the whole of the

upper land. — Hab. Madeira. .

257. R- idaeus, Linn.— English Raspberry ; grows cultivated in

some gardens. Alt. 3‘8, rare, and does not fruit.— Hab. Europe,

N. Africa, Siberia, W. Asia. ‘ ,

258. R. rossefolius, Sm. — Known by the name of Wild

Raspberry ; grows wild and is common pretty generally, but mostly
on the south side of the Island, at M. alt. 4. Its beautiful bright-
red berries are gathered in quantities by the natives, and sold m le
market for the purpose of making jam.— Hab. Mauritius.

Spirsea, Linn.

259. S. Reevesiana, Lindl. — The May of the Islanders ; a pretty,
small shrubby plant, growing about four feet high, and making s lowy
hedges, especially when covered with its white blossoms, which
resemble the English May. It grows on the high lands in an
uncultivated state. Very common, does not seed, and is easily

propagated ^ _Mentioned by Boxburgh as growing

in the Island.— Hab. N. America.

SUB-ORD. POMEiE.

Eriobotrya, Lindl.

261. E.japonica, Lindl.; Meapilus japonica, Thunb.— The Loquat
is one of the most abundant and best fruits of the place. Grows to a

270

ST. HELENA.

tree eighteen feet in height, wild, and common. C. to H. L. Alt-
’6 to 4. — Hab. China.

Pyrus, Linn.

262. P. malus, Linn. — Crab Apple ; only a tree or two in the
valley near the Jos House, at Plantation.

263. P . malus, Linn. var. — Eatable Apple ; grows, cultivated, to
a tree twelve feet in height ; rather common. Alt. 3'8. The Apple
fruits well, but, at best, is only fit for cooking purposes. — Hab.
Europe, Caucasus, &c.

264. P. ehinensis, Sprengl. — Common Pear ; grows well and
abundantly, uncultivated, to a tree thirty feet high, on the high land,
and is common. The fruit, which appears in July, is very large, and
excellent when preserved. These pears are chiefly sold to the shipping
at the moderate price of 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. a hundred. It is propa-
gated by cuttings. — Hab. China.

265. P. communis, Linn. — English and Cape Pear. A few
trees, of two or three varieties, grow and fruit, but do not thrive. —
Hab. Europe.

266. P. Cydonia, Linn ; Cydonia vulgaris. — Quince ; grows
and fruits well on the high land, but is rather rare. — Hab.
Europe.

42. MYKTACEiE {Myrtle Family).

Eugenia, Linn.

267. E. Jambos, Linn. — Rose Apple ; is common, and grows
wild to a tree twenty-five feet in height, C. to H. L. Alt. ‘8 to 4.
The fruit is abundant, and esteemed by some persons. — Hab. E.
Indies.

268. E. Ugni, Hk. & Arnott. — Recently introduced from the
Royal Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Patagonia.

269. E. Pimenta, D.C. — Allspice tree ; ditto. — Hab: West
Indies.

270. E. sp. ? — China Rose Apple ; one tree in the Botanical
Gardens, Jamestown ; bears fruit well. C. Alt. ’5.

Eucalyptus, L’Herit.

271. E. viminalis? Labil. — The common Eucalyptus; is rather

BOTANY.

271

common on the high land, and grows wild to a large timber tree.
One of these trees, which recently grew at Bock Bose Hill, at an
altitude of more than 2000 feet above the sea, and was blown down
by the wind in the year 1867, measured 126 feet in length; the
first branch being 48 feet above the ground ; and the trunk, at
6 feet above the ground, measured 16 feet in circumference. — Hab.
Australia.

272. E. globulus, Labill. — The Blue Gum ; grows well to a large
tree, and is tolerably abundant on the high land. Alt. 3. It is a
later introduction than the other species, but already blossoms and
seeds well. — Hab. Tasmania.

Leptospermum, Forst.

273. L. lsevigatum, Gsertn. — A branching tree, about eighteen
feet high, with myrtle-like flowers, growing at Bock Bose Hill. M.
Alt. 4. One tree only; flowers, but does not seed well. — Hab.
Australia.

Myrtus, Linn.

274. M. communis, Linn. — Common Myrtle ; grows to a good-
sized tree, about ten or twelve feet in height. Uncultivated, and
rather common ; blossoms and seeds freely. C. to H. L. Alt. '8
to 4. — Hab. S. Europe.

275. M. communis tarentina, Linn. — Box-leaved Myrtle; un-
cultivated and common in hedges, &c., about Plantation, and similar
alts., 3 '8. The peculiar custom prevails of scattering sprigs of this
plant along the road in front of a funeral procession, and also into
the grave before it is covered in. — Hah. S. Europe.

276. M. sp. ? — Broad-leaved large Myrtle. A few trees only,
attaining a height of ten feet, at Oakbank, &c. Flowers and seeds
freely.

277. M. lucida, Linn.— Surinam Cherry ; grows in the Ladies’
Garden at Plantation, &c. ; a few trees only ; bears fruit occasionally.
— Hab. Surinam.

Punica, Linn.

278. P. Granatum, Linn. — Pomegranate; grows uncultivated,
and is common, in the gardens in J amestown. C. Alt. '6. Fruits well.
The rind is collected and used at the hospitals as an astringent

272

ST. RELENA.

medicine. Grows also on the higher land, hut does not fruit at
that alt. — Hah. S. Europe.

Psidium, Linn.

279. P. pomiferum, Linn. — Common Guava; one of the prin-
cipal fruits of the place, is common and grows wild, in the lower part
of Sandy Bay, &c., to a bushy tree, 12 feet in height. C. and M.
Alt. '6 — Hab. "VV. Indies.

280. P. pyriferum, Linn. — Large-fruited Guava; cultivated in

gardens in Jamestown ; rather rare. Several other varieties of the
Guava are said to grow in Maldivia Gardens ; the fruit of all is
eaten. C. — Hab. W. Indies. 4

Syzygium, Gsertn.

281. S. zeylanicum, D.C. — A small shrubby tree, about fifteen
feet high, with pink and primrose-coloured, myrtle-like leaves,
growing in Plantation House flower-garden. One tree only. Does
not blossom. — Hab. Ceylon.

43. Melastomace^;.

Olinia, Thunb.

282. O. cymosa, Thunb. — A tree with white blossoms ; grows
on the high land at Walbro Cottage, but is rare. — Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

44. Lythrace^b.

Lagerstroemia, Linn.

283. L. reginae, Linn. — A tree or two of this plant, with its rich
clusters of red flowers, is to be found in the gardens at Maldivia and
Oakbank. C. and H. L. Alt. -6 and 3. — Hab. E. Indies.

45. CoMBRETACEiE.

Terminalia, Linn.

284. T. Catappa, Gajrtn. — Two or three trees of the Bengal
Almond grow on the warm low land in James’ Yalley, and several
also in Lemon Yalley, to a height of about twenty feet; they flower
and fruit well, but scarcely exceed half a dozen in number. — Hab.
E. Indies.

BOTANY.

273

46. Onagracete ( Evening Primrose Family).

Fuchsia, Linn.

285. F. coccinea, Linn. — The common Crimson Fuchsia ; grows
wild, and is very common, on the high, lands, at alt. 3 to 5’4, even
amongst the indigenous cabbage-trees and ferns at Diana s Peak,
where its crimson blossoms contrast well with the white flowers of
the Composite. It quite takes possession of large trees, such as the
oak and camellia, climbing up their stems and descending in lich
foliage and flowers over the branches. About mid altitude it is a
good deal used in gardens and shrubberies for hedges, &c. ; flowers
profusely, especially during the month of June, and seeds freely, but
is chiefly propagated by cuttings. Bot. Mag. 5740. Hab. unknown ,
said to be Chili.

286. F. corymbiflora, Ruiz et Pav. — A large tree-like Fuchsia ;
grows well and abundantly in gardens, at alt. 4, to a height of eight
feet ; flowers and seeds freely, and is somewhat uncultivated. Bot.

Mag. 4000. — Flab. Peru.

287. F. globosa, Lindl. — Globe Fuchsia ; grows uncultivated, and
is rather common, in gardens on the high land.

In addition to the above, there are ton cultivated varieties of
Fuchsia growing and flowering in great profusion in gardens on the
high land, including some of the most modern kinds, such as Ga-
zelle,” “ Schiller,” “ Beauty of Clapham,” “ Hugh Mollon,” “ Ara-
bella,” “ Alexandrina,” &c. &c.

(Enothera, Linn.

288. CE. purpurea, Curtis. — Purple-flowering (Enothera ; culti-
vated in gardens; rare. Bot. Mag. 352. Hab. N. America.

289. CE. longiflora, Jacq. — Evening Primrose ; grows wild, and
is common about pasture fields. Alt. 3 8. Bot. Mag. 36o. Hab.
Buenos Ayres.

290. CE. tetraptera, Cav. — White Evening Primrose; cultivated
in gardens ; rather rare. Bot. Mag. 468. Hab. Mexico.

47. Cactace/e ( Cactus Family).

Cereus, Haw.

291. C. leptophis, D.C. — Cat s-tail Cactus ; grows and flowers in
gardens ; cultivated and rare. Alt. 3'8.

T

2 n

ST. HELENA.

292. C. speeiosissimus, D.C. — Large Crimson-flowered Cactus ;
cultivated in gardens, where, on the high land, at M., alt. 3, it
blossoms freely. Bot. Mag. 2306. — Hab. S. America.

293. C. sp. ? — Small Pink-flowering Cactus, cultivated in
gardens.

294. C. triangularis, Haw. — The Night-blooming Cereus grows
wild, and is rather common, about the gardens and rocky cliffs of
Jamestown, also on many parts of the high land ; C. andM., alt. 3 to
4 ; hut it is chiefly in the town that it blossoms in perfection, and
when on a moonlight evening they yield forth their fragrance in and
about Maldivia Gardens, they form a pleasing attraction. It rarely
fruits, hut does so occasionally in the gardens just mentioned. Bot.
Mag. 1884. — Hab. West Indies.

Opuntia, Mill.

295. O. vulgaris, Mill. — The Common Prickly Pear is wild and
abundant on the northern side of the Island, on the rocky barren parts,
C., alt. -04 to 3. It grows also at Sandy Bay, Longwood, and Man
and Horse, on the soutlnrn side, but in less quantities. Flowers
and fruits freely. Bot. Mag. 2393. — Hab. S. America.

296. 0. cochinillifera, Mill. — The so-called English or White
Prickly Pear is less abundant than the last species, but grows with
it on the northern side of the Island. Though there are a few
cochineal insects on the Island, their cultivation is not attended to,
and the only use made of this plant is to gather the fruit and sell
it in the market-place, C. — Hab. S. America.

Echinopsis, Zucc.

297. C. Eyriesii, Otto. — Cushion Cactus; grows cultivated, and
is rather rare in gardens, alt. 3 8. Blossoms well. — Hab. Buenos
Ayres.

Pereskia, Mill.

298. P. Bleo, D.C. — The Leaf-bearing Cactus grows well and
blossoms freely in gardens on the medium high land, alt. 3, where
its pretty purple blossoms are easily distinguished ; rather rare. Bot.
Mag. 3478. — Hab. S. America, Mexico.

BOTANY.

275

48. PassiflorivE ( Passion-flower Family).

Passiflora, Linn.

299. P. ligularis, Jussieu. — Yellow-fruited Granadilla ; recently
introduced, but already grows and fruits well, on the high land.
Pot. Mag. 3004. — Hah. Peru.

300. P. cserulea, Linn. — Passion Flower ; grows wild and some-
what abundantly, climbing over roadside hedges, trees, and old
buildings. Bot. Mag. 28. — Hab. Brazil.

301. P. cseruleo-racemosa, Linn. — Pink Passion Flower; grows
wild, with the blue one. Both species blossom freely, but neither
of them fruit. They are propagated by cuttings and layers. — Hab.
Brazil.

302. P. edulis, Sims. — Purple-fruited Granadilla; grows wild
abundantly, even amongst the native vegetation, on the central
ridge. The fruit sells in the market at 0>d. to 9d. a dozen. Bot.
Mag. 1989. — Hab. West Indies.

303. P. quadrangular is, Linn. — Napoleon’s Creeper ; grows well
in gardens over banks, verandahs, &c. Flowers abundantly, but
very seldom fruits. Bather rare. — Hab. Jamaica.

Tacsonia, Juss.

304. T. mollissima, H. B. K. — Sometimes called French, at
others Pink-flowering, Granadilla; grows uncultivated and abun-
dantly, generally on the high land, in gardens, alt. 3'6, and fruits
well. Bot. Mag. 4H7. — Hab. Peru, New Granada.

305. T. Van-Volxemii, Funck. — Large crimson-flowered, hand-
some climbing plant, recently introduced from the Boyal Gardens
at Kew to Plantation Gardens. Bot. Mag. 5571. — Hab. Tropioal
S. America.

49. PAPAYACEiE {Pap aw Family).

Carica, Linn.

306. C. Papaya, Linn. — Papaw; grows in James Valley to a
tree twelve feet high, and bears fruit abundantly in November.
Cultivated, and rather rare. C. Alt. T to 1. Bot. Mag. 2898.—
Hab. S. America, and cultivated in most tropical countries.

t 2

276

ST. HELENA.

50. Begoniace^k.

Begonia, Linn.

307. B. nitida? Ait. — Shining-leaved Begonia; cultivated in
gardens. — Hab. Jamaica.

51. C ucurb it a CEiE ( Gourd Family).

Lagenaria, Sering.

308. L. vulgaris, Sering. — The Bottle Gourd; grows wild, and is
rather common about the rocky, low, barren outskirts of the Island.
No use is made of it, excepting occasionally the hard, dry shell
serving as a scoop for dipping water. C. — Hab. India and Africa.

Cucurbita, Linn.

309. C. Pepo, Linn. — Five or six kinds of Pumpkin at least
grow abundantly ; amongst them the hard shell, or mealy kind.
They grow to a large size, and are a good deal cultivated to sell to
the ships. — Hab. Levant.

310. C. Melopepo, Tournef. — Vegetable Marrows, of several
varieties, are grown in numbers, with great success.

Cucumis, Linn.

311. C. Citrullus, Sering — The Water Melon is occasionally
grown, but the fruit is small and imperfect. — Hab. S. of Europe.

312. C. sativus, Linn. — Several varieties of Cucumber are culti-
vated, and succeed very well. — Hab. E. Indies.

313. C. Melo, Linn. — Melons are occasionally grown, and bear
fruit, but seldom arrive at perfection. — Hab. India.

Momordica, Linn.

314. M. Charantia, Linn. — A Vine plant, closely resembling
Pumpkin, mentioned byKoxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab.
E. Indies.

52. Crassulace^e ( Stonecrop Family).

Bryophyllum, Salisb.

315. B. calycinum, Sal. — Chandelier Plant; grows wild, and

HOT ANY.

277

is common, about the woods at Oakbank, &c. Alt. 3*8 to 5. Propa^
gated by the leaf. Bot. Mag. 1409. — Hab. E. Indies.

Crassula, Linn.

316. C. cultrata, Linn. — Sharp-leaved Crassula. A few plants of
this and the following species are found growing in gardens on the
high lands at Plantation House, &c. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

317. C. obliqua, Ait. — Yellow-flowered Crassula.— Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

Cotyledon, Linn.

318. C. orbiculata, Linn. — Liver Plant; grows wild, and is
rather common on the somewhat barren ground at Half-tree Hollow,
Mount Eternity, &c. M. Alt. 2'4 to 3'8. Bot. Mag. 321. Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

Sempervivum, Linn.

319. S. sp. ? — Yellow-flowered Crassula ; cultivated and rare, in
gardens on the upper land. — Hab. Canaries.

53. S axifrag acete [Saxifrage Family).

Cunonia, Linn.

320. C. capensis, Linn.— Mentioned by Roxburgh, as growing
in the Island. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Hydrangea, Linn.

321 . H. Hortensia, D.C. — The Pink Hydrangea, the flowers of
which change to blue, green, and brown ; grows to a good-sized bush,
uncultivated and is common. At Rose Cottage, alt. 4'4, it grows
abundantly, and flowers so freely that the hedges of it are quite a
remarkable sight. Does not seed, but is easily propagated by
cuttings. Bot. Mag. 438. — Hab. China.

54. Um b ELLTf e rM [Parsley Family).

Apium, Linn.

322. A. Petroselinum, Linn. — Common Parsley, of two varieties,
grows abundantly in the Island, not only cultivated in gardens, but

278

ST. HELENA.

also wild on the rocky lower lands, such as The Waterfall, and
similar places. M. — Hab. Sardinia.

323. A. graveolens, Linn.— Celery ; grows well in gardens, and
is cultivated. — Hab. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia.

Anethum, Linn.

324. A. foeniculum, Linn.— Fennel ; grows as a weed abundantly
about gardens and shrubberies on the higher parts. Alt. 2. — Hab.
Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia.

Bupleui'um, Linn.

325. B. rotundifolium, Linn. — Hare’s Ear ; occasionally seen
about gardens, probably introduced with corn seed. — Hab.
Europe, Asia Minor, &c.

Caucalis, Linn.

326. C. pumila, Gouan. — Wild Bur Parsley ; grows wild about
the rocky parts, Barnes’ Road, &c. M. — Hab. S. of Euorpe.

Eaucus, Linn.

327. D. carota, Linn. — The Common Carrot is plentifully cul-
tivated ; it flowers and seeds well. — Plab. Europe, Asia, &c.

Hydrocotyle, Linn.

328. H. asiatiea, Linn. — Pennywort ; mentioned by Roxburgh,
as growing in the Island. — Hab. Asia, Australia, Cape of Good
Hope, &c.

Lichtensteinia, Cham.

329. *L. Burchellii, Hk. f. — Dwarf Angelica of the Islanders.
This plant is now very rare, but is occasionally found growing on
the southern precipitous sides of the high central ridge near the Gap
of Dunloe, towards Diana’s Peak, and also at High Peak. Alt. 5 to
5T. It flowers in the month of December. Plate 33. Also Hk.
Icon. Plant. 1033.

Pastinaea, Linn.

330. P. sativa, Linn. — Parsnip ; cultivated in gardens, but does
not succeed well. — Hab. Europe, N. Asia.

Plate 33.

'%centBrooksl)ay &, Soaicip .

Filch ,dd elhtli.

Ll CHTEN'STEINIA BUR.CHELL1 I

L.Reeve &, G° London.

1

4

4

i

\

BOTANY.

279

Sium, Linn.

331. *S. Helenianum, Hk. f. — Angelica bracieata , Roxb. — The
Angelica of St. Helena. This beautiful umbelliferous plant grows
to a height of six or eight feet, amongst the cabbage-trees and ferns in
the ravines that traverse the mountain sides of Diana’s Peak, at
an alt. 5 above the sea. The stems of the plant are eaten raw by
the native people, being brought to the market much like bits of
bamboo, and sold under the name of Jelico. Plate 34. Also
Hk. Icon. Plant. 1032.

55. Araliace/e ( Ivy Family).

Aralia, Linn.

332. A. papyrifera, Hook. — The Rice-Paper plant has recently
been introduced from the Royal Gardens, Kew.

Hedera, Linn.

333. H. Helix, Linn. — Ivy ; grows on trees and old walls at
Lufkins and Oaklands, uncultivated and rare. Alt. 4. It does
not flower. — Hab. Europe, Asia, &c.

Paratropia, D.C.

334. P. venulosa, W. and A. — Aralia digitate i, Roxb.— A pretty
shrub, with very remarkable clusters of orange and black-coloured
berries, growing on the high land, alt. 3 6, uncultivated, but
not very abundant, in shrubberies, &c. It seeds fieely. Hab.
E. Indies.

Tupidanthus, Hk. f. et Thoms.

335. T. calyptratus, Hk. f. et Thoms.— An only tree of this
curiously fruited plant, which attained a height of fifteen feet, was
recently cut down at the eastern side of Plantation House ; but some
six or eight young ones, raised from seeds of the old plant, aie now
thriving well between the house and White Gate. Hab. E. Indies.

56. Cornack/L {Dogwood Family).

Aucuba, Thunb.

336. A. japonica, Thunb.— Gold-dust plant; grows uncul-
tivated, and is rather rare. Alt. 3 6. Plantation and Oakbank

280

ST. HELENA.

gardens, &c. Does not seed, but grows from cuttings. Dot.
Mag. 1197. — Hab. Japan.

Curtisia, Ait.

337. C. faginea, Ait. — The tree from which the Hottentots
and Caffres of South Africa make their assegai shafts. Two or three
plants, about twenty-five feet in height, grow in Plantation grounds
below Constantine’s Cottage, where they blossom and seed well. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

57. Capri t'oi.i ACEiE (. Honeysuckle Family).

Sambucus, Linn.

339. S. nigra, Linn. — The Elder-tree is rare, but grows at Oak-
bank, and in Sandy Bay, where there is a cottage taking the name
of Elder Cottage. It flowers and fruits. — Hab. Europe, 1ST. Africa.

Lonicera, Linn.

339. L. P ericlymenum, Linn. — Honeysuckle; grows uncul-
tivated, almost wild in some places, and is rather common about
shrubberies. Alt. 3-8. Flowers and seeds, but is chiefly propa-
gated by cuttings.— Hab. Europe, N. Africa.

58. Eibiacf.'E (. Madder Family).

Coff’ea, Linn.

340. C. arabica, Linn. — Coffee is common, and grows unculti-
vated in some of tbe sheltered parts of the south side of the Island,
also in the ravines on the eastern and western parts at Mulberry Gut
and Terrace Knoll. Alt. 3 Several attempts have recently been
made to cultivate Coffee, but until lately only one plantation existed,
the property of G. W. Alexander, Esq., called Bamboo Grove;
some of the Coffee grown there, and exhibited at the London
Exhibition in 1851, took the prize for first quality. The St.
Helena Coffee is indeed quite as good as the best Mocha. The
plant grows to a height of fifteen feet, and blossoming and
fruiting freely is one of the most ornamental of plants. Its pure
white blossoms, bright-red berries, and dark, glossy, green leaves,

SIUM HELEN1 ANUM

L .Reeve &, C° Loudon.

j

V

I

!

f

BOTANY.

281

contrast most favourably together. Bot. Mag. 1303. Hab.
Yemen.

Cinchona, Linn.

341. C. officinalis, Linn. — The cultivation of this valuable plant,
which yields the Peruvian Bark, and the medicine called Quinine,
has been undertaken on the south side of the high central ridge of
the Island, at a spot called Newfoundland, near to Liana s Peak.
Alt. 5 to 5-4. The undertaking was commenced five years ago
under such favourable auspices, and promised such success, that
it is much to be regretted the experiment was not continued. In
the year 1871 there were three hundred plants of this species
growing amongst the native vegetation — the cabbage-tiees and
ferns — and although then only about three years old, they had
already attained a height of four feet six inches, with a healthy
appearance. The first Cinchona plant ever raised in the Island
was from seed sent from the Royal Gardens at Kew in 1 866-7 ; it
was placed out on the high ridge to the south of Diana s Peak, on
the 14th October, 1S68, and thirty months afterwards measured
nine feet two inches in height, and was covered with blossoms.
Bot. Mag. 5304,— Iiab. Peru.

342. C. succirubra, Pavon. — This species thrives best of all at
St. Helena, and about five hundred plants of it have been placed
out with those of the last species ; and, in the same period— viz.,
about three years — some of the trees had attained a height of six feet.
— Hab. Peru.

343. C. calisaya, Weddell.— Neither this species nor the follow-
ing thrive so well in the Island as the other two. Hab. Peru.

344. C. pah.ud.iana, Howard. — Hab. Peru.

Cantliium, Lam.

345. C. sp. ?— Privet, or Iron Wood ; a shrub growing wild, is
common on the high land, alt. 4, where it is used for hedges, and
for m akin o' walking-sticks. It blossoms freely, but is propagated
from the roots.

* A recent account (1874) of the St Helena Cinchona Plantations states : — “ Although
much neglected, and some of the plants have failed, others are thriving in a way which
proves that they have the right soil and climate.

282

ST. HELENA.

Gardenia, Linn.

346. G. florida, Linn. — The Cape Jasmine is one of the most
deliciously perfumed of the cultivated garden plants on the high
land, where at alt. 4 it thrives well. — Hab. China and Cape of Good
Hope.

347. G. Thunbergii, L. f.— Starry Gardenia ; mentioned by
Roxburgh as growing in the Island. Bot. Mag. 1004.— Hah.
Cape of Good Hope.

348. G. radicans, W. — Rooting Gardenia ; also mentioned by
Roxburgh. — Hab. China.

Hedyotis, Linn.

349. *H. arborea, Roxb. — The native Dogwood ; one of the re-
maining indigenous plants, and perhaps taking the fifth place for
abundance now in the Island. It grows to a tall, slim tree, about
twenty feet in height, on the high central ridge from Diana’s Peak
to High Peak, alt. 5 4, extending down on the northern side some
two or three hundred feet. It flowers with bunches of small
white blossoms in the months of January and February, seeding in
March to June. Plate 35. Also Hk. Icon. Plant. 1031.

Plectronia, Linn.

350. P. mundtiana, Pappe. — Several trees grow on the high
land between White Gate and Plantation House, to a height of
twenty or thirty feet, and bear a sort of berry, pink in colour* when
ripe, and much in request by the native children, who eat its
sweet, succulent, outer covering ; rather rare.— Hab. S. Africa.

351. j. . spinosa, Ivlotz. A shrubby plant, growing at Rock
Cottage, to a height of ten or twelve feet ; the blossoms are small
and white, and the branches are thinly covered with long thorns.
Flowers, but does not seed. Very rare.— Hab. S. Africa.

Serissa, Comm.

352. S. foetida, Comm. — From its peculiar odour commonly
called “ Stinking White Flower.” A very small plant, with white
star-shaped flowers, growing uncultivated in gardens, but rare, alt.
3-25, at Oakbank, The Hermitage, &c. — Hab. Japan.

Plate 35.

YincentBrocks Day Sc SnnTmp

I.N. Rich. del etlit'i

hedyoti S A'R bohea.

L.Heeve Sc C • London.

4

4

BOTANY.

283

59. Valeri anacel ( Valerian Family).

Valeriana, Linn.

353. V. montana? Linn. — Pink-flowered Valerian; both, this and
the following species grow almost wild in some of the gardens on
the high land. Alt. 3. — Hab. Switzerland.

354. V. phu ? Linn. — White-flowered Valerian. — Hab. Germany.

60. Composite ( Composite or Sunflower Family).

Tribe Eupatoriace,®.

Ageratum, Linn.

355. A. conyzoides, Linn. — Cat’s Eye, or Wild Heliotrope;
grows wild, and is a very common plant everywhere. In Sandy Bay,
at an alt. 3 '5, as well as elsewhere, it covers whole fields, winch,
when it is in blossom, yield a most delicious perfume, and present
broad sheets of lilac colour; nevertheless, as a weed it is a great
pest. M. and IP. L. Alt. 3'8 to 4. Flowers in August.— Hab.
America.

Eupatorium, Linn.

356. E. pallidum, H. & A. — A slender shrub attaining a height
of six feet, with a profusion of sweet-scented white flowers ; grows
uncultivated, and is rather common in garden shrubberies, at alt. 4,
Terrace Knoll, Longwood Rectory, &c. Is propagated chiefly by
cuttings. — Hab. Brazil.

Tribe Asteroideas. •

Aster, Linn.

857. *A. Burchellii, Hk. f. ; Commidendron Burchellii, D.C. —
This most interesting indigenous plant is now almost extinct. After
long searching, I discovered one small tree of it, about six feet in
height, growing amongst a clump of A. gummiferus, near the old
Picquet House, above West Lodge ; and 1 believe this to be the
only plant now in existence. l)r. Hooker, in leones Plant arum,
p. 44, describes it as very similar to A. glutinosus , but with leaves
longer and conspicuously white and woolly beneath. Plale 36.

358. *A. glutinosus, Roxb. ;— Conyza rugosa, Ait. Hort. Ivew ; —

284

ST. ITU LENA.

Commidendron rugosum, D.C. — The indigenous plant called “ Scrub-
wood” is a native of the low, outer zone of the Island, where,
adjacent to the sea, it grows on the rocky land in the hot scorching
atmosphere peculiar to those parts, as a straggling hush, about three
or four feet in height. It still is plentiful in some parts, such as The
Bam, Stone Top, Longrange, &c., even growing on the summit of
the rocky pile called Lot ; and, although almost confined to the eastern
and south-eastern outskirts of the Island, is nevertheless found in
small quantities inland at High Knoll. Appears to blossom all the
year round. — Plate 37. Hr. Hooker states, in the leones Plantarum,
p. 45, from Burch. MSS., that it is also very rare in Ascension. In
the same work it is also figured, 1057.

359. “A. gummiferus, Hk. f. ; — Commidendron spurium, D.C.
— This native plant, called “ The Little Bastard Gum wood,”
is very rare indeed, though still to be found growing to a
shrubby tree, eight or nine feet in height, on the high central ridge
at High Peak, and near the old Picquet House above West Lodge.
Flowers in January and February. Alt. 5‘4. Plate 3&. Also Hk.
Icon. Plant. 1056*

Commidendron, D.C.

360. *C. robustum, D.C. ; — Conyza gummifera , Boxb. — This
highly interesting indigenous tree, known as the native “ Gum
Wood,” was probably once the most abundant plant- in the Island,
and covered much of the lower zone of the land at that period when
verdure clothed those parts which now show only sterility and bar-
renness. The introduction of goats has, perhaps, done more to ex-
terminate this tree than the rest of the native plants, because it grew
on those parts they chiefly occupied ; and it is now fast disappearing,
neither its unique foliage nor its insular characteristics being sufficient
to induce the islanders to care for its preservation. It grows to a
height of twenty feet, its crooked, rugged, black, lichen-covered stem
being surmounted by a flat, umbrella-shaped mass of pale-blue foliage.
Formerly, previous to the introduction of exotic plants, it supplied
the chief fuel to the inhabitants, who also obtained a drink from its

* In the leones Plantarum Dr. Hooker includes these three species under Aster, but in
Bentham and Hooker’s Genera Plantarum they are referred back to Commidendron.

Plate 3fc.

ASTER. BURCH ILLI I.

L.Keeirei G? London.

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<

BOTANY.

285

stem, by tapping it and catching the liquid that flowed from the
wound.

The Gum Wood does not grow on the central and most elevated
land where the native cabbage-trees and inhabitants of the
cooler region are found. Scarcely a tree exists at a greatei alti-
tude than 1900 feet above the sea; and there is still sufficient
evidence to show that its habitat was on the now semi-barren slopes
which stretch away to the sea-coast, and encircle the middle zone
of the Island — such as Longwood, Deadwood, Man and Horse,
New Ground, and similar localities. Longwood and Deadwood,
as their names imply, were originally covered with trees ; nor is
this the only evidence of their having been abundantly wooded, for
natives still living on the Island, as well as the records, tell of thick
woods once covering those now grassy plains. Knowing this to
be the case, there is no reason to doubt that other parts of the
Island, which now appear so barren and so unlikely to support
vegetation, were once also, down to the sea cliffs, clothed with green
woods, as stated by the early visitors to the Island. Plate 39.

There are not more than about 1300 or 1400 Gum Wood trees
remaining in the Island (1868), according to an approximate esti-
mate, and they are scattered about in the following positions

Trees

Longwood, Deadwood, and Lowe’s Gardens, about 700 or 800
Man and Horse . about 50

Eastward

Plantation . . .

Harpur’s . . .

Thompson’s Wood
Hock Cottage . .

Plantation School
Valley at Shipway’s
Valley next to Shipway’s,

Valley next to Shipway’s

Valley next to Eock Eose Hill

Arnos Vale

Woody Eidge

Valley between Eock Eose Hill and Green Hill

Head of the Vein

Valley between Eock Mount and Peak Dale .
Valley between Peak Dale and Lufkins . .

. . 24

. 2 or 3
. . 50

. . 2
. . 2

. . 15

. . 2

58 or 60
about 100
18 or 20
, . . 3

, . . 30

... 2
about 100
„ 100.

286

ST. HELENA.

Melanodendron, D.C.

361. *M. integrifolium, D.C. ; Solidago integrifolia, Eoxb. —
The native Black Cabbage-tree grows to a large, handsome, spread-
ing tree, about fifteen feet high, on each side of the central ridge ;
now the most abundant of all. It is covered with masses of
white blossoms in the months of October and November. Plate 40.
Also Hk. Icon. Plant. 1045.

Psiadia, Jacq.

362. *P. rotundifolia, Hk. f. ; Solidago rotundifolia , Boxb. — Only
one tree of this species is now known to exist in the world, and that
grows in a field to the left of the entrance gates at Longwood,
called The Black Field. Roxburgh states that the islanders
called it Bastard Gum Wood, or Callage-tree. After a careful search,
extending over a year or more, the plant above mentioned was
discovered in the year 1868. It is a tree about twenty feet in
height, and apparently very old. It grows side by side with a
Gum Wood, and without close examination might be mistaken for
that species ; indeed, I discovered it only by riding up to it to look
for blossoms of the Gum Wood, and was surprised to find it
covered with small white flowers of a different plant. It is much to
be desired that a plant of such singular interest should be propa-
gated before it is entirely lost. It flowers in May and June.
Plate 41.

Beilis, Linn.

363. B. perennis, Linn. — Common Daisy; grown in gardens, and
is very rare, notwithstanding the many efforts which have ' been
made to naturalize it. — Hab. Europe, N. Africa, &c.

Tribe Helianthoideai.

Blainvillea, Cass.

364. B. rhomboidea, Cass. — A common weed on the rocky
ground in the neighbourhood of Barnes’ Road, &c. Flowers are white,
and appear in July. Wild and common. M. Alt. 1 to 2. — Hab. Brazil.

Dahlia, Cav.

365. D. variabilis, Desf. — Many varieties of Dahlia are culti-
vated in the gardens on the high land, and flower and seed exceed-

Plate 37.

ASTER RUCtOSUM.

L Reeve Sc C° London.

9.

f

BOTANY.

287

ingly well. Some of them grow uncultivated to a small extent.
Hab. S. America.

Siegesbeckia, Linn.

366. S. orientalis, Linn. — Yellow-flowered, clammy-leaved weed,
growing wild and very common on the high land. Hab. India.

Petrobium, B. Br.

367. *P . arboreum, B.Br.

Eoxb. ;

(Spilanth.es tetrandra (masc.)1
(Bidens arborea . . . (foem.)

Laxmannia arborea, Porst. — The Whit jwood Cabbage-tree of the
islanders is one of the most abundant of the indigenous plants
still remaining. It attains a height of about twenty feet, and
flowers in the months of March to June. It grows now chiefly on
the south side of the high central ridge extending from Diana’s to
High Peak, at alt. 5 -2. Plate 42. Also Hk. Icon. Plant. 1053.

Zinnia, Linn.

368. Z. multiflora, Linn. — Several varieties grow in gardens.
Alt. 3-8. Cultivated and rather rare. — Hab. Mexico.

Heliantlius, Linn.

369. H. nmlti.fl.orus, Linn. — Sunflower; two varieties grow in
gardens ; cultivated, and rather common. M. Alt. 2. Seeds well.—
Hab. N. America.

Tribe Helenioideje.

Tagetes, Linn.

370. T. erecta, Linn.— The Yellow African Marigold; grows

almost wild in gardens. — Hab. Mexico.

371. T. patula, Linn.— French Marigold ; one or two garden

varieties grow uncultivated; rather common, at C. M. and H. L.
Alts. -1 to 3'8. Bot. Mag. 150.— Hab. Mexico.

Gaillardia, Foug.

372 G. bicolor, Lam. — Grows cultivated, and is rather common
in gardens. Bot. Mag. 3551. Hab. Texas.

288

ST. HELENA.

Tribe Anthemidej?.

Chrysanthemum, Linn.

373. C. sinense? Sab. — This showy plant, with its bright
yellow blossoms, grows wild and is rather common in the gardens on
the high land, where it is called “ Camphor.” — Hab. China.

Cotula, Linn.

374. C. coronopifolia ? Linn, or C. anihemoides ? Linn. var. ?
The little yellow-flowered Pagoda plant, which grows abundantly wild
over the rocky outskirts of the Island about Jamestown, Ladder
Hill, and at C., alts, from '02 to 3, is so named from the resemblance
between its flowers and a small golden coin, called a Pagoda, value
4s., which was current during the East India Company s holding ot
the Island. It flowers in August, and probably existed at the
Island previous to its discovery. — Hab. Cape of Hood Hope.

375. C. australis, Hk. f. — A smaller species than the above,
with less conspicuous flowers ; grows on higher land ; wild and
very common in gardens, roadsides, &c. — Hab. Australia.

Artemisia, Linn.

376. A. Absinthium, Linn. — Wormwood grows in an un-
cultivated state in gardens at an alt. 2'4, but is not abundant. It
is doubtful if it seeds to perfection. — Hab. Distr. IN. temp. zone.

Tribe Inuloideje.

Helichrysum, Gsertn.

377. H. bracteatum, Willd.— The Yellow Everlasting. This
showy flowering plant is a thorough weed in the Island, covering
large patches of land on the somewhat barren parts, at M. alt. 2 4
to 3 8. It grows readily, and quickly overruns pasture and grass
lands, but is confined to the outskirts of the most cultivated land.
It reaches a height of three to four feet. The flowers are much
used in church and other floral decorations, especially at Christ-
mas time.— Hab. Australia, Queensland, N. S. Wales.

378. H. bracteatum var. monstrosum. — The White Ever-
lasting Flower, grows commonly in some gardens on the high land.
Alt. 3-8.

379. H. sp. ? — The Red-flowered Everlasting is cultivated in
gardens, but is rare.

Plate 38.

INFitck.cLel etkth.

\3nceuLBrooks Day&.Saa;Imp.

ASTER GUM M1FE RU S.

L.F f.Bve Ik G- London

4

J

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BOTANY.

289

Gnaphalium, Linn.

380. G. purpureum, Linn. var. — Brown Gnaphalium, or Wild
Lavender; an abundant weed in bayfields and along roadsides.
Alt. 2 to 4 ; wild and very common. — Hab. N. America.

381. G. luteo-album, Linn. — Wild Lavender, or Silvery-leaved
Weed ; wild and very common about bayfields, roadsides, &c.
Alt. 2'4 to 4. — Hab. Widely distributed in temperate regions.

382. G. indicum, Linn. — A very common weed about tbe gar-
dens and bayfields on tbe bigh land. — Hab. E. Indies.

Tribe Senecionide/E.

Cacalia, Linn.

383. C. coccinea, Sims. — Small scarlet Jacobea ; cultivated in
gardens, and rare. Bot. Mag. 564. — Hab. America.

Cineraria, Linn.

384. C. Saxifraga, D.C. — A plant or two only, growing in a wild
state at tbe back of Farm Lodge ; may be recognised by its
yellow flowers, somewhat resembling tbe common groundsel.
M. Alt. 3 4.— Hab. S. Africa.

Lachanodes, D.C.

385. *L. prenanthiflora, Burch. ; Solidago leucadendron, Willd. ;
Mikania arborea, Boxb. — Tbe native “ She-cabbage-tree” is still to
be found rather abundantly on the central ridge, alt. 4 to 5'2, where
it grows to a tall, slender, upright tree, twelve or fifteen feet high.
Tbe young stems and leaves are of a bright purple colour, very like
that of a red cabbage. It puts forth its clusters of white flowers in
tbe month of June. It is less abundant than the other cabbage-trees,
ranking perhaps fourth in this respect. Plate 43 ; also Hk. Icon.
Plant. 1054.

Pladaroxylon, Hk. f.

3S6. *P. leucadendron, Hk. f. ; Lachanodes pladaroxylon, Endl.;
L. leucadendron , D.C. ; Solidago leucadendron, Forst. — Native “ He-
cabbage-tree a branching tree about twelve feet bigh, putting
forth clusters of white flowers, in tbe month of July, in appear-
ance very like tbe bead of a full-grown cauliflower. It forms a
conspicuous part of the indigenous vegetation on tbe central ridge,

u

290

ST. HELENA.

and grows at alt. 3 '8 to 5, mucli lower down than the other cabbage-
trees. Next to the Whitewood, and the Black cabbage-tree, this is
now the most abundant. Plate 44; also Hk. Icon. Plant. 1055.

There appears to be a variety differing very slightly, if at all,
which Roxburgh called Solidago cuneifolia.

Senecio, Linn.

387. S. elegans, Linn. — Jacobea; single and double purple
varieties grow well cultivated in gardens. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

388. S. Jacobaea, Linn. — Mentioned by Roxburgh. — Hab.
Europe, N. Asia.

389. S. mikanioides, Otto. — Called Ground Ivy; an abundant
weed, overrunning walls and banks, and growing wild everywhere
most readily. — Hab. S. Africa.

390. S. vulgaris, Linn. — Groundsel ; a most abundant weed on
the high land, growing wild everywhere ; used for feeding birds. —
Hab. Europe.

Othonna, Linn.

391. O. pectinata, Linn. — This plant, with yellow composite
flowers and leaves resembling wormwood, grows in an uncultivated
state, but is rather rare, about shrubberies. Alt. 4. Bot. Mag. 306.
— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Tribe Calendulacej®.

Calendula, Linn.

392. C. Tragus, Linn. — A plant with white and purple flowers,
said by Roxburgh to grow in the Island. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

393. C. officinalis, Linn. — The common Marigold ; grows almost
wild about the neighbourhood of gardens both on the high and low
lands. — Hab. S. of Europe.

Tripteris, Less.

394. *T. Burchellii, Hk. f. mss. — A native of the rocky, barren
land near the coast, where it grows with Mesembryanthemum cryp-
tanthum. It springs up after the winter rains in July or August,
blossoms and seeds freely, and dies in the following summer weather
about February or March. It is not abundant, and grows chiefly in
the neighbourhood of Sandy Bay beach. I have also gathered it
near Flagstaff and Turk’s Cap Valley, on the eastern side of the

‘OK.lPiy.K'l"laP'---’1FPWV

*6c mz

BOTANY.

291

Island, growing amongst the Scrubwood bushes, and also on the cliffs
at Wild Ram’s Spring, about 1800 feet perpendicularly above the sea.

Dr. Hooker has only recently placed it under this genus, and
says that it has hitherto been considered an Osteospermum, to which
genus it is very near ; and it has also been referred to Oligocarpus,
another closely allied genus, by Mr. Bentham, in Gen. Plant. —
Plate 45.

Osteospermum, Linn.

395. O. moniliferum, Linn. ; 0. pisiferum, Roxb. — A yellow-
flowered shrub ; grows wild, and is common over the somewhat
barren land at Two-gun-saddle, &c. The seeds, when ripe, are
eaten by children. M. Alt. 3. — Hab. Cape of Good Plope.

Tribe Arctotide;e.

Cryptostemma, R. Br.

396. C. calendulaceum, R. Br. — Wild Hawkweed; grows as
a weed, and is wild and common about the high land. Bot. Mag.
2252. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Tribe Cynarotde^:.

Xerantliemum, Linn.

397. X. canescens, Linn. — White and pink Star Everlasting;
grown in gardens ; very rare. Bot. Mag. 420. — Hab. S. Africa.

Centaurea, Linn.

39S. C. moschata, Linn. — Sweet Sultan, mentioned by Rox-
burgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. Persia.

Cynara, Linn.

399. C. Seolymus, Linn. — The Artichoke grows almost wild,
and is rather common in some few places where formerly gardens
existed, and where doubtless it was cultivated. Alt. 3 '8. — Hab. S.
of Europe.

Tribe Cichoriacete.

Cichorium, Linn.

400. C. endivia, Linn. — Endive is cultivated in gardens. — Hab.
E. Indies.

u 2

2U2

ST. HELENA.

401. C. Intybus, Linn. — Wild Succory; mentioned by Rox-
burgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. Mediterranean region.

Tragopogon, Linn.

402. T. porrifolius, Linn. — Goat’s Beard ; a purple flower grow-
ing wild ; rather common amongst the grass at Plantation, and
St. Paul’s churchyard. — Hab. IS. Europe and Asia.

Hypochseris, Linn.

403. H. radicata, Linn. — This plant is the Dandelion of St.
Helena. In meadows its yellow blossoms are as thick as daisies
in England ; and the richness of their colour adds greatly to the
beauty of the landscape as the harvest-time approaches, about the
end of the year. Alt. 2 to 5'2 ; wild and very common. — Hab.
Europe, N. Africa.

Lactuca, Linn.

404. L. sativa, Linn. — Several varieties of Lettuce are much
grown in gardens. A cultivated plant of which the wild type is
unknown.

Sonchus, Linn.

405. S. oleraceus, Linn. — Sow Thistle. Like most of the British
weeds, this plant was probably introduced with grass seeds.
Several varieties of it grow at all M. to H. L. alts. Wild and very
common. — Hab. Very widely dispersed in temperate regions.

406. S. oleraceus, Linn. var. lsevis. — A variety of Sow Thistle,
which is common as a weed in the Island. — Hab. Britain, &c.

61. LobeliacE/E ( lobelia Family).

Lobelia, Linn.

407. *L. scaevolifolia, Roxb. — One of the native plants, growing
on the central ridge as a slender shrub about three or four feet high.
Its flowers are rather large, and pure white. It is still to be found
rather abundantly along the high central ridge from Diana’s Peak
to High Peak. Alt. 5 '4. It blossoms nearly all the year round. —
Plate 46.

408. L. bicolor, Sims. — Small blue Lobelia; grows well; cul-

Plate 40.

A Miss, dd . IMtdtlitl

MEceatBTodksIay.4.Son,lmp.

MELAN 0DENDR0N INTEORIFOIIUM.

L. Reeve k London.

*

A

BOTANY.

293

tivated and common in gardens. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag. 514. Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

62. Campanulace.e ( Campanula Family).

Micliauxia, Herit.

409. M. campanuloides, Juss. — Recently introduced at the
Hermitage as a garden plant. The blossoms are somewhat like
a Passion-flower, and light blue in colour. Bot. Mag. 219. Hab.
Levant.

Wahlenbergia, Schrad.

410. *W. angustifolia, A. D.C.; Boella angustifolia, Eoxb. — A
delicate little plant, growing on the bare, somewhat rocky banks
along the central ridge to about eight inches in height. Its beautiful
little white bell-shaped flowers may be seen peeping out from
amongst the grass in the months of July and August. It is one of
the indigenous plants, and is now rare. H. L. Alt. 4 to 5.
Plate 47.

411. *W. linifolia, A.D.C. ; Boella linifolia, Roxb.— Another of the
indigenous plants, bearing beautiful large white bell-shaped blossoms.
Pound at Diana’s Peak, as well as generally and abundantly on the
central ridge, amidst ferns and other indigenous plants; grows to a
shrubby plant from two to three feet high, and sometimes parasitic
on the Tree Fern. Its pure white flowers and light-green foliage
contrast beautifully with the deep crimson blossoms and dark-green
leaves of the exotic Fuchsia coccinea, as they now grow together.
This is the most abundant species of the three, and flowers nearly
all the year round. H. L. Alt. 4 to 5. Plate 48.

412. *W. Burchellii, A. D.C.; Boella paniculata , Roxb. — A species
less abundant, but found in similar situations to the last mentioned.
It grows less shrubby and more upright to a height of three or four
feet, and blossoms in July, the flowers being pure white, and inter-
mediate in size between the other two species. H. L. Alt. 4 to 5.
Plate 49.

63. Eric ace/e {Heath Family).

Arbutus, Linn.

413. A. Unedo, Linn. — Strawberry Tree; one old tree only.

294

ST. HELENA.

height about twelve feet, exists at Francis Plain. M. Alt. 2.
Flowers freely, but does not seed. — Hab. S.W. Europe.

Azalea, Linn.

414. A. indica, Linn. — The Azalea was a few years ago a
common garden flower, but has recently almost disappeared from
the Island. Hot. Mag. 1480. — Hab. India and China.

415. A. ledifolia, Hook. — White flowering Azalea, cultivated in
gardens, very rare. — Bot. Mag. 2901. — Hab. China.

64. Aquieoliace^e {Holly Family).

Ilex, Linn.

416. I. Aquifolium, Linn. — Holly. Only three or four trees
grow in the Island at Oakbank, Bose Cottage, and West Lodge.
H. L. Alt. 2 to 4. Attains a height of ten feet, and grows well,
but does not seed, although it blossoms. — Hab. Europe, W. Asia.

65. Ebenace.e {Ebony Family).

Diospyros, Linn.

417. D. Kaki, Linn. f. var. — Only one tree in the Island,
growing in Plantation grounds, just below St. Paul’s churchyard.
Alt. 3'8. It does not bear fruit, although it blossoms freely in the
month of August. — Hab. Japan.

Boyena, Linn.

418. R. lucida, Linn. — A shrubby tree, with bright glossy dark-
green leaves, growing to a height of about thirteen feet in Planta-
tion grounds, near to St. Paul’s Church, also at the S.E. corner of
the lawn. It bears freely white blossoms, and fruit, a kind of
purple plum enveloped in an outer covering resembling the Cape
Gooseberry. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

419. R. pallens, Tlibg. — Well known in the Island as the
Poison Peach. Grows wild, and is common in hedges along the
roadsides on the high land, at alt. 3-8. Attains a height of fifteen
to twenty feet. — Hab. South and tropical Africa.

Plate 41.

A.Melliss del. LN. fitch .hth.

VincentBrooks Bayi Son, Imp.

p S I A D I A ROTUND I FOLIA.

L.Reevei C° London.

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BOTANY.

295

66. Sapotace/e ( Sapoclilla Family).

Argania, R. et Sell.

420. A. Sideroxylon, R. et Sch. — The Argan Iree has recently
been introduced from the Royal Gardens at Kew. Hab. N. Africa.

Isonandra, Wight.

421. I. gutta, Hook. —One Gutta-percha Tree grows m
Maldivia Gardens. C. Alt. 7. It has been recently introduced, and
has attained a height of six feet. — Hab. Singapore, Borneo, and
Malayan Islands.

Mimusops, Linn.

422. M. Elengi, Linn. — Bocul of the Hindoos ; mentioned by
Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. L. Indies.

67. Prime], ace/E (. Primrose Family).

Anagallis, Linn.

423. A. arvensis, Linn. — Red Pimpernel, or Eorget-me-Not.
A few plants grow wild in fields on the high land. Alt. 3 to 4.—

Hab. Europe, N. Africa, W . Asia.

424. A. coerulea, Sm. — Forget-me-Not, or Blue Pimpernel,
grows wild, and is very common, quite a weed in fields and gaidens.
M & H. L. Alt. T to 4. Much more abundant than the species

with red flowers. — Hab. Europe, &c.

Primula, Linn.

425. P. variabilis, Goupil.— Polyanthus ; cultivated in gardens,
rather common. Alt. 3 ’6— Probably of garden origin.

426. P. veris, Linn.— Cowslip ; introduced with the Primrose
about twenty-five years ago. Both species grew well in. gardens,
the latter more particularly, but neither became naturalized, and
now both are very rare, if not extinct. Hab. Europe, Asia.

427. P. vulgaris, Huds.— Primrose. This plant grew well in
gardens a few years ago, but seems now to have disappeared.—
Hab. Europe, N. Africa.

ST. HELENA.

290

68. Plant agin ACEi® ( Plantain Family).

Plantago, Linn.

428. P. major, Linn. — Ground Plantain ; grows as a weed, and
is wild and very common generally. — Hab, Europe, N. Africa,
N.W. Asia.

429. *P. robusta, Eoxb. — A small shrubby native plant, now
very scarce, but still to be found growing in the crevices of rock in
the hottest parts of the Island, at Wild Pam’s Spring, Man and
Horse, &c., on the south-western sea-coast cliffs, on the eastern
side of High Knoll, and at the Waterfall ; also at the back of
Flagstaff Hill. Blossoms in July and August. C. Alt. 2 '4. —
Plate 50.

69. Plumbaginace/e ( Leadwort Family).

Plumbago, Linn.

430. P. capensis, Linn. — Blue Plumbago ; grows uncultivated,
and is common in gardens and shrubberies. M. Alt. 2‘4 to 3'8. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

70. Bignoniace/e ( Bignonia Family).

Bignonia, L.

431. B. venusta, Ker. — Orange-coloured Bignonia ; grows in
the garden at Oakbank. Eecently introduced. Bot. Mag. 2050. — •
Hab. Brazil.

432. B. echinata, Aubl. — Grows somewhat uncultivated at Plan-
tation, &c., over old buildings and trees ; flowers freely and seeds. —
Hab. W. Indies, &c.

Tecoma, Juss.

433. T. capensis, Juss. — Orange-flowered Tecoma; grows wild,
and is rather common about shrubberies and hedges. H. L. Alt.
3’8 to 4. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

434. T. stans, Juss. — Yellow-flowered Bignonia ; grows well in
gardens, flowers profusely, and seeds to perfection. Introduced
from Ceylon a few years ago by Lieut. H. W. Melliss. Bot. Mag.
3191. — Hab. W. Indies.

Hate 42

A.Mdhss.del I.N fitcLhth

VincentBroota Day ^Sonlnro

PETR OB I U M ARB 0 RE UM.

L. Reeve A 0° London.

1

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BOTANY.

297

435. T. radicans, Juss. — Deep orange-coloured Bignonia, grow-
ing in the gardens at Plantation House. — Hab. N. America.

436. T. jasminoides, Lindl. — White and purple-flowered Big-
nonia, growing freely and somewhat abundantly in gardens. Bot.
Mag. 4004. — Hab. Australia.

71. Acantiiacete {Acanthus Family).

Cyrtanthera, Nees.

437. C. magnifica, Nees. — A shrub with pink flowers, somewhat
like a Justicia, growing in flower borders, but is not common, at
Oaklands, &c., on the high land. — Hab. Brazil.

Justicia, Linn.

438. J. Adhatoda, Linn. — Large white Justicia ; grows culti-
vated, and is rare in gardens. Alt. 3’8. Bot. Mag. 861. — Hab. Ceylon.

439. J. peruviana, Cav. — Purple Justicia ; grows cultivated, and
is rather common about gardens. Alt. 3'8.— Hab. Peru.

440. J. carnea, Lindl. var. superba. — Pink-flowered Justicia;
grows uncultivated, but is rare in gardens on the high land. — Hab.
S. America.

Meyenia, Nees.

441. M. erecta, Benth. — A pretty purple Bignonia-shaped
flowered shrub, recently introduced into gardens on the high land.
Grows at Prospect. H. L. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag. 5013. — Hab.
Tropical Africa, Niger.

Thunbergia, Linn.

442. T. alata, Hook. — White Thunbergia; cultivated and rather
rare in gai’dens. Bot. Mag. 3512. — Hab. Zanzibar, &c.

443. T. fragrans P ltoxb. — Yellow Thunbergia ; grows simi-
larly to the other species. — Hab. East Indies.

72. ScrophdlariacEjE ( Fiyworl Family).

Antirrhinum, Linn.

444. A. triphy llum, Linn. — Variegated Snapdragon ; growing
uncultivated in gardens. Bare. Bot. Mag. 324. — Hab. Spain.

29S

ST. HELENA.

Browallia, Linn.

445. B. elata, Linn. — Speedwell ; said by Roxburgh to grow
in the Island. Bot. Mag. 34. — Hab. Peru.

446. B. demissa, Linn. — Blue Speedwell ; uncultivated and com-
mon in gardens. Alt. 35. Bot. Mag. 1136. — Hab. Panama.

Buddleia, Linn.

447. B. Lindleyana, Fortune. — Purple-flowered Buddleia ; culti-
vated in gardens on the high land, where it grows to a small slender
plant, about eighteen inches high, and blossoms and seeds. — Hab.
China.

448. B. brasiliensis, J acq. — Square stem Buddleia ; growing
wild in a fence, but rather rare, near Prospect Plain and High
Peak. Bot. Mag. 2713. — Hab. Brazil.

449. B. madagascariensis, Yahl. — The common Buddleia; one
of the most abundant and objectionable weeds in the Island. On
account of its rapid growth it is much used for hedging ; but it soon
overruns acres of land, and climbs over the tallest trees. It grows
so thickly as to afford a complete protection to rats and other
vermin. Nevertheless it is a handsome plant ; its blue-green leaves
and rich clusters of orange blossoms (during the month of June,
when in full bloom) contrast well with other foliage. H. L. Alt.
4 to 5. Wild and very common. Bot. Mag. 2824.— It is an ex-
tremely unwholesome plant to surround the cottages as it does, the
fluff from the under side of the leaves being inhaled, produces
irritation and cough, and ultimate death. — Hab. Madagascar.

Calceolaria, Linn.

450. C. pinnata, Linn. — Yellow Calceolaria. Tins small species
grows wild, and is common in gardens on the high land. Bot. Mao-
41.— Hab. Peru.

Celsia, Linn.

451. C. linearis, Jacq. — An orange-flowered garden plant,
recently introduced, growing cultivated and is rare. Alt. 3'8. Bot.
Mag. 210. — Hab. Peru.

Lophospermum, Lon.

452. L. scandens, Don. — Mexican Creeper ; grows wild, and is
common on roadside banks, and amongst the native ferns and

Plate 43.

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cabbage-trees on tbe central ridge at and near to Diana’s Peak, &c.
This plant was introduced about thirty years ago, and is now
thoroughly naturalized. Alt. 3 to 5. Bot. Mag. 3037. — Hab.
Mexico.

Mimulus, L.

453. M. Smithii, Lindl. — Monkey Plant; uncultivated in some
gardens. Bather common. — A garden hybrid.

Maurandia, Jacq.

454. M. antirrhiniflora, H. B. — Purple Maurandia ; cultivated,
and rather common in some gardens, and uncultivated in others. M.
and H. L. Alt. 2 to 4. Bot. Mag. 1643. — Hab. Mexico.

Busselia, Jacq.

455. It. juncea, Zucc. — Bed Busselia; grows cultivated in
gardens ; alt. 3'S ; rather rare. Introduced about twenty years ago.
Flowers freely, but does not seed. — Hab. Mexico.

Verbascum, Linn.

456. V. virgatum, With. — Aaron’s Holden Bod ; grows wild,
and is common about the fields and roadsides, at alt. 3 to 4. — Hab.
England, &c.

Veronica, Linn.

457. V. serpyllifolia, Linn. — A very small weed, with pale lilac-
coloured flowers, resembling a minute Heartsease ; wild and very
common in hayfields, &c., on the high lands. — Hab. N. temperate
and arctic regions.

458. V. Anagallis, Linn. — A rather succulent sort of weed, found

wild and common along the edges of streams of water in Sandy Bay,
Jamestown, &c. C.— Hab. N. temperate regions.

73. Verbenace,® ( Vervain Family).

Aloysia, Orteg.

459. A. citriodora, Orteg.; Verbena triphylla. — Sweet-scented
Verbena ; grows cultivated in gardens to a large bush; rather com-
mon. H. L. Alt. 3’8. Bot. Mag. 367. — Hab. S. America.

300

ST. HELENA.

Clerodendron, Linn.

4G0. C. inerme, B. Br. ; Volkameria inermis, L. — Grows uncul-
tivated, but is not common about the gardens at Bock Bose Hill,
Oakbank, Scotland, &c. ; clusters of sweet-scented white blossoms,
somewhat resembling small Boses. H. L. Alt. 3. — Hab. E. Indies.

Duranta, Linn.

461. D. Plumierii, Linn. — Pale lilac-flowered shrub, recently in-
troduced, and growing at Bock Cottage ; blossoms freely. Hab. S.
America.

Gmelina, Linn.

462. G. asiatica, Linn. — Mentioned by Eoxburgh as growing
in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

Lantana, Linn.

463. L. aculeata, Linn. — Bed Heliotrope. This plant was in-
troduced twenty years ago, and now grows uncultivated, and is rather
common in shrubberies and gardens. M. and H. L. Alt. 3'8.
It attains to a bush about six feet high, and flowers freely.
Bot. Mag. 96.— Hab. W. Indies.

Stachytarpheta, Yahl.

464. S. mutabilis, Yahl. — Bed-flowered Stachytarpheta ; grows
in gardens, cultivated and is rare. Alt. 3 to 4. Bot. Mag. 9/6.
Hab. S. America.

465. S. prismatiea, Yahl. — Blue-flowered species ; grown in
gardens similarly to the other. — Hab. S. America.

Both species were introduced twenty years ago, but have
not become naturalized, though they blossom and seed.

Tectona, Linn.

4G6. T. grandis, Linn. — Several Teak trees have attained a
height of eighteen or twenty feet at Bamboo Grove in Sandy Bay on
the south side of the Island, alt. 3 ; they do not seem to flourish,
although they have been there many years. It would appear that
the climate does not suit them, because in other positions also

Pla.te 44-.

AMelltss ad-lN-BuiM.

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they have not succeeded. A few years ago one tree existed at Ship-
ways, and another at Oak bank ; but neither of them appeared to
thrive, the former died recently, while the latter never seemed more
than half alive. — Hab. E. Indies.

Verbena, Linn.

467. V. bonariensis, Linn. — This tall, purple-flowered plant,
called Honesty, is very abundant, growing wild about the hedgerows
and fields on the high land at alt. 4. The plant itself attains a
height of six or seven feet. — Hab. B. Ayres.

468. V. sp. ? — Eight or ten varieties of Verbena are cultivated
in gardens.

74. Labiate ( Mint Family).

Lamium, Linn.

469. L. purpureum, Linn. — Red Dead Nettle ; mentioned by
Roxburgh. — Hab. Europe, W. Asia, and Canary Islands.

Lavandula, Linn.

470. L. spica, D.C. — Lavender grew well in the gardens on the
high land a few years ago, but recently I have scarcely seen a plant
of it in the Island. — Hab. S. Europe.

Leonurus, Linn.

471. L. sibiricus, Linn. — A small garden plant with pink flowers,
growing uncultivated, but rather rare. — Hab. N.E. Asia.

Mentha, Linn.

472. M. viridis, Linn. — Mint grows readily and abundantly,
uncultivated, in gardens. — A cultivated variety.

473. M. sylvestris P Linn. — Wild Mint grows along the edges
of the mountain streams on the high land. The native people dry
it, and use it as a substitute for tea ; they also scatter the plant
about their cottages to destroy fleas. M. and H. L. Alt. 1 to 4 ; wild
and very common. — Hab. Europe, N.W. Asia, &c.

Melissa, Linn.

474. M. officinalis, Linn. — Balm grows readily in gardens on
the high land, cultivated. — Hab. South of Europe, &c.

302

ST. HELENA.

Origanum, Linn.

475. O. majoranoides, Willd. — Marjoram is cultivated in gar-
dens.— Hab. Portugal, &c.

Phlomis, Linn.

476. P. Leonurus, Linn. — Monkey-toe; grows wild about
shrubberies; rather rare; at Rosemary Hall, &c. Alt. 3 '8. Bot.
Mag. 478. — Hab. Africa.

477. P. sp. ? — Balm of Gilead; grows wild, and is common in
some localities. H. L. Alt. 4.

Rosmarinus, Linn.

478. R. officinalis, Linn. — Rosemary; grows as a garden shrub
on the high land, uncultivated, but is rather rare. — Hab. S. Europe.

Salvia, Linn.

479. S. aurea, Linn. — Leather-coloured Sage ; uncultivated in
gardens on the high land, but rare. Bot. Mag. 182.— Hab. Cape
of Good Hope.

480. S. officinalis, Linn. — Common Garden Sage ; cultivated in
gardens. — Hab. S. of Europe.

4S1. S. coccinea, Linn. — Small Scarlet Sage; grows almost wild
in some gardens both on the high land and in Jamestown. C. to
H. L. — Hab. S. America.

482. S. splendens, Ker. — Splendid Sage ; grows abundantly, un-
cultivated, in gardens on the high land. — Hab. Brazil.

483. S. mexicana, Linn. — Blue Salvia; recently introduced
from Madeira, and now growing well in gardens on the high land.
Flowers and seeds freely. — Hab. Mexico.

484. S. bracteata, Sims. — Recently introduced into gardens.

Bot. Mag. 2320.

Stachys, Linn.

485. S. arvensis^ Linn. — A small purple-flowered weed like a
Mint, growing wild, and is very common in liayfields, gardens, &c.,
generally on the upper lands. Blossoms in August. — Hab.
Europe, N.W. Asia, N. Africa.

P]ue 45

A-Mciliss del, 111 .Filch lith.

Unocal Brooks Day &Sonrkp

TRIPTERIS BURCH ELL II.

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BOTANY.

303

Thymus, Linn.

486. T. vulgaris, Linn. — Common Thyme ; grows abundantly,
cultivated in kitchen gardens both on the high and low lands, and
blossoms and seeds freely. — Hab. S. of Europe.

75. BorraginacE/E ( Borage Family).

Borrago, Linn.

487. B. officinalis, Linn. — Borage is cultivated in gardens;
rather rare, but flowers and seeds well.

Trichodesma, B. Br.

488. T. zeylanicum, B. Br. — Ceylon Borage is mentioned by
Boxburgh as growing on the Island. — Hab. Ceylon.

Ehretia, Linn.

489. E. pyrifolia, Don. — A pretty tree, about fifteen feet high,
with thick clusters of small white flowers yielding a powerful and
pleasant perfume, growing on the high land at Scotland, &c. Some-
what uncultivated, but propagates from the roots. — Ilab. India.

Echium, Linn.

490. E. superbum. — Becently introduced as a garden plant at
the Hermitage.

Heliotropium, Linn.

491. H. peruvianum, Linn. — Cherry-pie; grows uncultivated,
and is common in gardens and shrubberies. Alt. 3'8 and upwards ;
two varieties, dark and pale lilac, introduced about thirty years ago.
— Hab. Peru.

Lithospermum, Linn.

492. L. tenuiflorum, Linn. — A small weed with white flowers,
found wild in the cornfields on the high land. Hab. Egypt.

Myosotis, Linn.

493. M. palustris, With.— True Eorget-me-Not ; grows in
gardens, but is very rare. This plant degenerates at St. Helena. I
gathered some seed from exceedingly fine specimens growing in an

304

ST. EEL ENA.

Irish bog, and tried to acclimatize it at the Island ; but the flowers
turned out small, and almost white in colour.— Hab. Britain, &c.

Nolan a, Linn.

. ,-494’ Prostrata> Linn.— Growing only as a cultivated plant
in the garden of the officers’ quarters at Ladder Hill.— Bot. Map-.
131. — Hab. Peru and Chili.

76. PoEEMONIACEcE.

Cobrea, Cav.

49o. C. scandens, Cav.— Recently introduced, and grows well in
gardens AIL 3’8 Cultivated and rather rare, but blossoms and
seeds well. Bot. Mag. 851.— Hab. Mexico.

Gilia, Ruiz et Pav.

i /9"rG- tlv?C?1°r’ Benth-— Grows in the flower-garden at Scot-
land.— Hab. N. America.

Phlox, Linn.

497. P. amoena, Sims.-Pink Phlox is a common garden plant

Bot. Mag. 1308. — Hab. N. America. P

/7. Con volvul ace.-e {Convolvulus Family).

Convolvulus, Linn.

498. C. Batatas, Linn.— Two varieties of Sweet Potato are
extensively cultivated on the higher parts of the Island ■ they serve
as food for the inhabitants, and are also sold to ships. Does not

IndiesWe11, an<1 ^ F°pagated bj cuttings. Hab. East and West

499. C. Batatas, Linn. var.

5°0 C purpureas, Linn.— Several garden varieties of the Com-
mon Blue Convolvulus grow uncultivated, and are rather common
about gardens generally throughout the Island.— Hab. Asia and
America.

• I?1' Linn- Campanula grows in gardens, cultivated;

is rather rare, but flowers and seeds well. Bot. Mao- 27 —Hab Snnin
502^ C. brasiliensis, Linn.-A species mentfoned by txbu gh
as found in the Island. 5

Plate 46.

LOBELIA S C AE VOL I F 0 LI A.

• L.Reeve &C? London.

BOTANY.

305

Dickondra, Forst.

508. D. repens, Forst. — Monkey’s Ears ; grows wild and is very
common ; quite a weed about roadsides, banks, &c. H. E. Alt. o 8
to 5. — Hab. Tropics generally, and probably a native of St. Helena.

Ipomaea, Linn.

504. I. coccinea, Linn.— Small red Convolvulus ; grows in gar-
dens; rare. Seeds well. — Hab. West Indies.

505. I. Qmamoclit, Linn. — Small scarlet T pom sc a ; grows in
gardens ; rare. Seeds well.. Bot. Mag. 244. Hab. E. Indies.

506. I. bona-nox, Linn. — Night-blooming white-flowered Ipo-
msea ; grown in gardens, cultivated and rare. Seeds well. Bot.
Mag. 752. — Hab. West Indies.

507. I. palmata, Forsk. — Generally known at St. Helena as the
Egyptian Bindweed. Alt. 3'6. It grows wild, and is common in the
roadside hedges, where it climbs and festoons tbe aloe steins and
other plants, its purple blossoms making it one of tbe prettiest of
the wild plants. It flowers very abundantly, but seldom seeds, and
is propagated by cuttings.

508. I. sp. ? — This small Iponnea grows wild in St. Paul s
churchyard. Its flowers are very like those of the Sweet Potato.
Pare. Alt. 4.

Pharbitis, Chois.

509. P. Learii, Lindl. — This large blue Convolvulus is very
common and much cultivated for its beauty, both on the high and
the low lands, growing and flowering freely at C. to H. L. Alts.
'5 and 3 '4. It was introduced from Ascension about ten yeais ago,
and, when subsequently lost at that Island, was re-established there
by seeds from St. Helena. Bot. Mag. 3928.— Hab. Buenos Ayres.

78. CoRDIACEiE.

Cordia, Linn.

510. C. macrophylla, Linn. — Mentioned by Roxburgh as
growing in the Island to a tree sixty feet in height.— Hab. West
Indies.

511. C. Sebestena, Linn. — Scarlet Cordia; grows in the Castle

x

306

ST. HELENA.

Gardens, Jamestown. C. Alt. -1. Tliree or four plants only; at-
tains a height of ten feet, and flowers and seeds well. Bot. Mag.
794. — Hab. W. Indies.

79. SoLANACEiE ( Nightshade Family).

Mcandra, Gsertn.

512. N. physaloides, Gsertn. ; Afropa physaloides. A pretty
pale-blue-flowered plant, with a seed-pod resembling the Cape
gooseberry or bilberry, growing wild ; very common generally in
the Island, and abundant near Cleugb’s Plain and similar localities.
M., alt. 3. Bot. Mag. 2458.— Hab. Peru.

Brugmansia, Pers.

513. B. chlorantha, Hook. — Double-flowered Brugmansia. This
plant lias been recently seen growing in gardens on the high land,
but is rare. Bot. Mag. 5128.

514. B. sanguinea, Hort. — Bed Moon plant ; grows uncul-
tivated and is rather common, alt. 3 '8 ; introduced about twenty
years ago at Oakbank, by seeds from Europe. It flowers freely, but
does not seed, being propagated by cuttings. — Hab. Peru.

5]5. B. suaveolens, Willd. — Moon plant, Datura, or Lady’s
Petticoat ; grows wild and is very common, alt. 3 to 4, m swamps,
mountain streams, roadsides, shrubberies, &c. Flowers in the even-
in" once every month at the full moon, when its profusion of white
flowers and powerful delicious perfume render it one of the most
beautiful and remarkable of tropical plants. Does not seed, but
grows from the root, and the smallest piece of tlie stem will grow
in water even without earth. Hab. leru.

Oestrum, Linn.

516. C. fasciculatum, Miers; IlabroiJiamnusfasciculatus, End].—
Called wild Fuchsia ; a shrub of ready growth, with clusters of
crimson flowers; grows well and abundantly in an uncultivated
state in gardens and shrubberies on the upper land. Introduced
from the Cape of Good Hope ten years ago,— Hab. Mexico.

Capsicum, Linn.

517. C. grossum?, Linn. — Capsicum; one or two varieties are

Plate 4 7.

’\5ncsnlBrooks Day & Scm. imp.

I N .Pitch,, del etlith

WAHLENBERGIA AN GUSTIFOLIA

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BOTANY.

307

cultivated in gardens, and fruit abundantly; they are made into
pickles. C. and M. — Hab. Tropics.

518. C. frutescens, Linn. — Long Chili. Several varieties are
commonly cultivated in gardens, and the fruit is used for pickles.
C. and M. — Hab. Tropics.

519. C. baccatum, Linn. — Cayenne Pepper. A few plants culti-
vated in gardens. — Hab. Tropics.

Datura, Linn.

520. D. Metel, Linn.— Downy Datura ; mentioned by Roxburgh
as growing in the Island. Dot. Mag. 1440. — Hab. Asia, America, &c.

521. D. Tatula, Linn. — Liglit-blue-flowered Datura. This
useful plant in asthmatic diseases grows wild and very abundantly
about Hew Ground and the Island generally. M. Alt. '06 to 2‘4. —
A common weed in tropical and warm countries.

522. D. fastuosa, Linn. — Purple Datura ; grows wild and very
abundantly as a weed about the Island generally. M. Alt. '2 to 4.

A common weed in the tropics.

Mellissia, Hk. f.

523. *M. begonifolia, Hlc. f. ; Physalis hegovifolia, Eoxb. — The
native Boxwood ; now an extremely rare plant, but still to be found
growing on the south-eastern side of the Island, at Longrange and
Stonetop, where it attains to a shrub about eight feet in height.
The stems are very bent, crooked, and branching, seldom exceeding
two inches in thickness. The leaves are large when the plant is
young, but small as it grows older. Its pretty white blossoms appear
in the month of October, under the leaves so as to be scarcely
visible without lifting them up. A species of Succinea leeds upon
the plant. The dry branches are gathered by the natives for firewood.
C. Alt. 2 to 3. Plate 51 ; also Hk. Icon. Plant. 1021.

Hicotiana, Linn.

524. N. tabacum, Linn. — Wild Tobacco ; grows on the rocky
ground, even on the summit of Lot. C. Alt. '2 to 1. Wild and
common. The leaves of this plant are sometimes gathered by
fishermen and labourers, hung up in their chimney-corners to dry,
and then smoked ; but no systematic curing of it takes place, the

3QS

ST. HELENA.

people pieferring generally to smoke and chew the imported manu-
factured tobacco. In the year 1697, this plant was recorded as
growing on the Island.— Hab. America.

0.2 o. M". glauca, Grab. — Yellow-flowered Tobacco; grows wild
to a tall slender shrub about eight feet high, and is very common
about the barren hills above Jamestown, The Briars, Halftree
Hollow, &c. C. Alt. T to 2. Bot. Mag. 2837.— Hab. Buenos
Ayres, S. America.

o26. N. persica, Bind! — Shiraz Tobacco ; cultivated in Planta-
tion garden. — Hab. Persia.

527. N. rustica, Linn. — Syrian or Latakia Tobacco ; also grown
at 1 lantation. The cultivation of this species, with N. persica, was
undertaken a few years ago, but the report upon some of the leaves
sent to England, and manufactured by Mr. Benson, of Oxford Street,
■was unfavourable. It was said to want flavour, which probably
aiose from having been grown in a poor soil. Higher cultivation
might doubtless render the growing of tobacco at St. Helena a
profitable undertaking, inasmuch as the plants thrive well there, and
one species grows quite wild. — Hab. Syria, &c.

Physalis, Linn.

5.28. P. peruviana, Linn. ; P. edulis , Sims. — Bilberry, or Cape
Gooseberry ; one of the most abundant weeds of the high land.
Alt. 2 to 4. Wild and very common ; whole fields of it exist in
some places. Pheasants and poultry feed upon the fruit, which is
also gathered in large quantities, and taken to the market for sale.
It makes excellent jam and jelly. Bot. Mag. 1068.— Hab. America.

529. P. flexuosa, Linn. — Small red-berried Bilberry; grows
wild and is common about the roads and hill sides in Jamestown,
Bupert’s Valley, &c. C. Alt. -4.— Hab. E. Indies.

Petunia, Juss.

530. P. sp. ? — Numerous garden varieties of Petunia are cul-
tivated on the Island. C. to II. L.

Solanum, Linn.

531. S. acanthocarpum, Hort. — A very prickly species of
Brinjal; introduced in 1870.

Plate 48.

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BOTANY.

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532. S. giganteum, Jacq. — Poisonous, scarlet-berried Solanum ;
grows wild in the roadside hedges, and abundantly on the eastern
side of the Island. Hot. Mag. 1921. — Hab. Cape of Grood Hope.

533. S. esculentum, Dun. var. — Purple-fruited Egg Plant ;
cultivated on the lowland, James Valley, &c. The fruit is used as a
common vegetable.

534. S. esculentum, Dun. var. — White-fruited Egg Plant, or
Brinjal, is grown in gardens for the sake of the fruit, which is used
as a vegetable ; rare.

535. S. Jacquini, Willd. — Wild Brinjal ; grows to a rather large
shrub, is wild and very common all over the upper land, which it
quickly overruns, much to the landowners’ annoyance. Its bright
golden, but highly poisonous, fruit hanging from the roadside
hedges, is a great temptation to the pedestrian. The only use made
of it is for cleaning brass ornaments. M. & H. L. ; alt. chiefly 4. —
Hab. E. Indies.

536. S. nigrum, Linn. — Deadly Nightshade ; one of the greatest
weeds in the place ; grows wild and is very common at most altitudes.
Poultry eat its black berries. — Widely dispersed in temperate and
tropical regions.

537. S. tuberosum, Linn. — Four or five varieties of Potato are
cultivated in the Island, though scarcely so extensively as a few years
ago, in consequence of the rot and blight diseases. The plant grows
also in some places in an uncultivated state. Alt. 2'4 to 3'8. — Hab.
Peru.

538. S. tuberosum Commersoni, Poir. — The Wild Potato ;
grows uncultivated, but is rather rare. Alt. 3'8. — Hab. S. America.

539. S. Lycopersicum, Jacq. — Tomato, or Scronchy Apple ; a
small variety grows wild, and is rather common. I have even seen
it on the barren, rocky ground near the coast at Lot s Wife. The
large garden varieties are cultivated and grow and fruit freely.
C. to IT. L. — Hab. S. America.

540. S. pseudo-capsicum, Linn. — The Sweet Chili; grows wild
and is somewhat common on the road sides and in shrubberies on
the high land. Alt. 3 to 4. — Hab. Madeira.

541. S. sodomaeum, Linn. — Mentioned by Roxburgh as growing
in the Island. — Hab. Africa.

542. S. auriculatum, Ait. — Recently introduced from the Royal
Dardens at Kew. — Hab. Madagascar.

310

ST. HELENA.

80. Apocynace.e ( Dogbane Family).

Carissa, Linn.

543. C. carandas, Linn. — Large Amatingula ; blossoms resem-
bling white Jasmine, introduced from South Africa about twelve
years ago ; grows well at Oakbank and Maldivia ; flowers freely, but
does not fruit. C. & H. L.— Hab. E. Indies.

544. C. spinarum, Linn.— Small-flowered Amatingula ; also in-
troduced from South Africa about twenty years ago ; grows at Oak-
bank ; blossoms, but does not fruit. — Hab. E. Indies.

Cerbera, Linn.

545. C. Odollam, Osert. — One tree, growing near the Joss-house
at Plantation, twelve feet in height. H. L., alt. 3 ; pretty white
blossoms, somewhat resembling white Jasmine ; does not seed. —
Hab. E. Indies, &c.

Nerium, Linn.

546. N. odorum, Ait. — Pink Oleander; lately introduced from
the Cape ; grows and flowers well in gardens. — Hab. E. Indies.

Plumieria, Linn.

547. P. bicolor, R. et P. — Buddhist tree; introduced lately
from Ceylon by Lieutenant H. W. Melliss, and throve well in the
Castle Gardens until attacked by white ants-. — Hab. S. America.

Vinca, Linn.

548. V. major, Linn. — Blue Periwinkle; grows wild and is very
common. H. L., alt. 3’8. — Hab. Europe.

549. V. rosea, Linn. — Pink Venice Pose; grows wild and is
common on the low rocky land near the coast. — Hab. Madagascar.

550. V. rosea, Linn. var. alba. — The white-flowered variety also
grows, but not so commonly as the pink. — Hab. India.

81. Asclepiadaoe.e (. Milkweed Family).

Asclepias, Linn.

551. A. curassavica, Linn. — Ipecacuanha or Orange-flowered
Asclepias ; cultivated and rather rare in gardens. — Hab. S. America.

Plate 49.

A.MfiIhssdd LN/Fitcli^iUi.

WAHLENBERGIA BURCHELLII.

L.Reeve & C^Londofi

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*<

i

BOTANY.

311

552. A. sp. ?— Silk-Cotton Plant; grows wild; common over
some parts of the semi-barren outskirts. C. Alt. "2 to 3 '8.

Gomphocarpus, R. Br.

553. G. frutieosus, H. K. — Tall white Asclepias; grows to a
height of five feet, is wild and very common on the low land. Alt.

2 ’4, at Southens, Rock Cottage, &c. Yields a large quantity of silky
fibre from the seed-pods, but no use is made of it. The Butteifly
Danais chrysippus frequents this plant, and thickly covers it with
its beautiful black-and-yellow caterpillars and green-and-gold chiy-
salides. Bot. Mag. 1628. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Hoya, R. Br.

554. H. carnosa, R. Br. — Wax plant; grows well. Alt. 3'8.
Cultivated in gardens, and rather rare. Bot. Mag. /S8. Hab.
China.

82. Jasminace/E ( Jessamine Family).

Jasminum, Linn.

555. J. odoratissimum, Linn. — Yellow Jasmine; grows uncul-
tivated in shrubberies. Alt. 3‘8. Rather rare. Bot. Mag. 285.
Hab. Madeira.

556. J. officinale, Linn. — White Jasmine ; grows uncultivated
and is rather common in gardens at alt. 3" 5 to 4. Seeds, but is
chiefly propagated by cuttings. Bot. Mag. 31. Hab. Malabar.

557. J. revolutum, Sims. — Large Yellow Jasmine; unculti-
vated ; very rare in gardens at high alts. Hab. L. Indies.

83. Oeeace/E ( Olive Family).

Fraxinus, Linn.

558. F. chinensis, Roxb.— Mentioned by Roxburgh as growing
in the Island. — Hab. China.

559. F. floribunda, Wall.— The Ash ; grows to a small shrubby
tree, about ten feet high ; uncultivated ; rather common at Oak-
bank, Mount Pleasant, &c. Alt. 4 to 5. Hab. Last Indies.

Olea, Linn.

560. 0. laurifolia, Lamk— Purple-fruited Olive; one plant, a

312

ST. HELENA.

handsome tree, about twenty feet in height, bearing abundant rich
clusters of fruit resembling bunches of black grapes, grows in the
Ladies’ Garden, Plantation. Bot. Mag. 3089.

561. O. sp. ? — The Wild Olive ; wild and very common ; grows to
a tree about fifteen feet in height, bearing immense quantities of white
fruit, which, in contrast with its dark-green foliage, renders it one of
the handsomest trees in the Island. M., alt. 3.

563. O. europaea, Linn. — The true Olive, of which there are two
varieties in the Island, grows wild and is rather common on some of
the most rocky and unproductive soils. In the neighbourhood of
the Briars, about nine hundred feet above the sea, many fine trees,
reaching a height of twenty feet or more, exist, and at times may
be seen loaded with fruit. It grows also at Plantation, Longwood,
and other places of much greater altitude. When it is known that
the value of olive oil in the English market is about 50/. per tun,
and that in one year no less than 28,000 tuns of this article are
imported into Great Britain, it seems remarkable that no effort is
made either to use the fruit of the existing plant, or to extend its
growth by cultivation in the Island. — Hab. S. Europe.

563. O. europaea longifolia, Linn. — Small purple oblong-
fruited Olive ; a few trees only, attaining the height of thirty feet,
at Plantation and Longwood ; fruits abundantly. — Hab. Europe.

564. O. europaea, Linn. var. — Growing at East Lodge.

565. O. fragrans, Thun. — Sweet Olea; grows to a tree twelve
feet in height, at Plantation, Oakbank, Bose Cottage, &c., and blos-
soms well, perfuming the atmosphere for a considerable distance
around with its delicious fragrance. Cultivated, and rather rare.
Alt. 3'6 to 4-5. Bot. Mag. 1552. — Hab. China.

Phillyrea, Linn.

566. P. media, Link. — Mentioned by Boxburgh as growing
in the Island. — Hab. S. of Europe.

84. Nyctaginace/E [Four o’ Clock Family).

Boerhaavia, Linn.

567. B. vertieillata, Poir. ; B. repanda, Boxb. ; B. Helena,
Scliult. — This probably indigenous plant, called Hog- Weed (though

Plate 50

AXOw 3i.IHBtdi.Mi.

^msegt Braots ]?iT«Sonm;p.

PLANTAGO ROBUSTA.

L. Reeve & C°London.

I

4

BOTANY.

313

it is difficult to imagine why, unless when hogs were first turned
into the Island, three centuries ago, there was more of it than now
exists, and they fed upon it), is a slender trailing little thing bearing
pink blossoms ; it inhabits the low, rocky, barren land near the sea-
coast at alt. '6, especially in the neighbourhood of Ladder Hill,
Munden’s, Rupert’s, &c., on the northern coast. It dies away
during the hot weather in February and March, and shoots again in
the spring. — Hab. Tropics generally.

Bougainvillea, Comm.

568. B. speetabilis, Willd. — Recently introduced from Madeira ;
one plant at the Hermitage only. — Hab. Brazil.

Mirabilis, Linn.

569. M. jalapa, Linn. — Five varieties of this plant, commonly
called Four o’Clock, grow in the Island — viz., the White, the Red,
the Yellow, the Red and White, and the Red and Yellow-flowered.
It may be said to grow almost wild and is common at all altitudes
from a few feet to one or two thousand above the sea. It flourishes
in the poorest soils, attains to a shrub four feet in height, and
flowers abundantly. The roots grow very large, but are not made
use of. Although they possess some medicinal quality they do not,
as has been supposed in the Island, yield the medicine called jalap.
Bot. Mag. 371.— Hab. West Indies.

85. BASELLACEiE.

Basella, Linn.

570. B. rubra, Linn. — Called Poisarg; commonly grown in gar-
dens, and used as a substitute for spinach. C. to H. L. Seeds freely.
— Hab. Trop. Asia.

Boussingaultia, H. B. K.

571. B. baselloides, H. B. K. — The Bridle-wreath Vine has very
recently been introduced from Brazil, but already grows abundantly
in gardens both on the high and low lands. This plant appears to
be one of the few which grow in Georgetown, at the Island of
Ascension. It is there much valued as a verandah climber. It
blossoms at St. Helena, but is propagated from the root. Bot.
Mag. 3620. — Hab. S. America, Quitinian Andes.

314

ST. HELENA.

86. Ciienopodiace® ( Beetroot Family).

Atriplex, Linn.

572. A. triangularis, Willd. — Mentioned by Boxburgh as
growing in the Island. — Hab. S. Europe.

573. A. eapensis, Moq. — One of the common weeds in the
Island. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Beta, Linn.

574. B. vulgaris, Linn. — Bed and green Beet, with Mangold-
wurtzel, are cultivated. — Hab. South of Europe.

575. B. Ciela, Linn. — White Beet is also cultivated to some
extent, at Longwood and other farms, for feeding cattle. — Hab.
Portugal, &c.

Chenopodium, Linn.

576. C. murale, Linn. Pat Hen; one of the most common and
abundant weeds about the forests, and high land generally. Alt. 3.
It makes a very good substitute for spinach, and is much used as
such. — Hab. Widely distributed in Europe, Asia, &c.

577. C. album, Linn.— White Chenopodium.— Hab. Temp, and
Arctic Europe and Asia.

578. C. album, Linn., var. viride.— Green Chenopodium. Both
this and the last-named species grow as weeds in the Island.

579. C. ambrosioides, Linn.— Well known by the name of
Tantocury. A most abundant weed in gardens, along roadsides, &c.
Wild, and very common at all alts.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Exomis, Moq.

oSO. E. axyrioides, Fenzl. — A small creeping weed, growing on
the rocky ground about Lot’s Wife, Castle Bock, &c. C. Alt. 2 to 3.
Wild and common. It might be. mistaken for a dwarf kind of
Samphire. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Schoberia, C. A. Mey.

/

581. S. salsa, C. A. Mey. — This tropical plant, called Sam-
phire, grows wild, is very common all over the rocky parts near the
sea coast, and is doubtless indigenous to the Island. In some places,

Plate 51.

i /'

A-MeUiss del IN Pitch Jith.

A^ncent. Brooks Day &f i-a^lnip.

MELLISS1A BEGONIEOLIA.

4

4

BOTANY. -

315

in the deeply-cut ravines, especially in Fisher V Valley, &c., whole
fields of it exist, where, apparently, nothing else will grow, the
climate being hot, and the soil parched and impregnated with salt.
C. Alt. ’01 to L8. — Hab. Tropics.

Spinacia, Linn.

582. S. oleracea, Linn. — Spinach ; grown in gardens, hut not
abundantly.

87. Amarantace/E (. Amaranth Family).

Amarantus, Linn.

583. A. caudatus, Linn. — Love-lies-Bleeding ; grows rather
generally and uncultivated in gardens, both on the high and low
lands, but is not very ^common. — Hab. E. Indies.

584. A. tricolor, Linn.— Also grown in gardens. — Hab. E.
Indies.

585. A. Blitum, Linn. — Double Gee ; grows wild and is very
common. The natives have a great dislike to this weed,, in con-
sequence of its prickly seeds which run into their bare feet. M.
Alt. 1‘2 to 3'6. — Hab. Europe, &c.

Achyranthes, Linn.

586. A. aspera, Linn. — A common weed, growing wild and
abundantly in the ravines on the high land. It may be easily
recognised by its pink flowers of an everlasting nature. — Hab.
India.

Euxolus, Eaf.

587. E. viridis, Moq. — A small weed, with variegated leaves,
growing wild on the pavement and amongst the stones in the Castle
Yard, Jamestown. Hot very abundant. C. — Hab. Trop. America.

Gomphrena, Linn.

588. G. globosa, Linn. — Annual Globe Amaranth ; cultivated
in flower gardens. — Hab. India.

88. Polygon ace,® ( Buckwheat Family).

Coccoloba, Jacq.

589. C. uvifera, Jacq. — The Sea-side Grape ; grows and fruits

310

ST. HELENA,

well on the low land, in the Castle Gardens, J amcstown ; but there
are a few plants only. — Hab. West Indies.

Rumex, Linn.

590. It. Acetosella, Linn.— Red field Sorrel , grows wild and is
very common throughout hayfields, &c., on the high land. Alt. 4
to 5. — Hab. Temperate and Arctic Regions of the North.

591. It. vesicarius, Linn. — Bladder Sorrel; mentioned by Rox-
burgh.— Hab. N. Africa.

592. It. crispus, Linn. — The common Hock ; grows wild and is
very common in or near to the mountain streams, &c., at all alts.
The labouring people boil and eat the leaves. — Hab. Europe, N.
Africa, and temp. Asia.

89. Laurace/E ( Laurel Family).

Cryptocarya, R. Br.

593. C. angustifolia, E. Mey. — One specimen only ; a shrub
about eight feet in height, growing in Plantation near St. Paul’s
Church, and commonly known as the Spice Tree. Blossoms, but
does not seed. — Hab. S. Africa.

Laurus, Linn.

594. L. nobilis, Linn. — Bay Tree ; grows to a height of fourteen
feet ; uncultivated, and rather rare. Alt. 4. Does not seed, and is
propagated by cuttings. — Hab. South of Europe, &c.

Litsaea, Juss.

595. L. foliosa ?, Nees. — Several fine trees, at Lowe’s Gardens,
M., alt. 3'7. Sometimes called Box. — Hab. E. Indies.

Persea, Gsertn.

596. P. gratissima, Gairtn. — The Avocado Pear does not suc-
ceed in the Island ; it has been often tried, but resulted only in esta-
blishing a few small plants, of slow growth. There is said to be
one tree of it at Wallbro Cottage, H. L., alt. 3, which bears fruit,
though not to perfection. Bot. Mag. 4580.— Hab. Tropical America,
and W. Indies.

BOTANY.

317

Tetranthera, X. ab Esnb.

597. T. japonica, Spr. — One tree only, growing near the Joss-
liouse at Plantation, H. L., alt. 34 ; attains a height of eighteen feet.
Mowers, but does not seed. — Hab. Japan.

598. T. macrophylla, Wall. — Said by Roxburgh to grow in the
Island.— Hab. E. Indies.

90. TnyMELAcr.n (Mezereon Family).

Daphne, Linn.

599. D. odora, Thunb. — Sweet Daphne; grows cultivated in
gardens on the high land. Alt. 4. Rather rare ; blossoms freely,
but does not seed. Bot. Mag. 1587. — Hab. Japan.

91. Protkace.e (Protea Family).

Banksia, Linn. f.

600. B. sp. ? — Broad-leaved Red Bottle-brush plant; grows un-
cultivated in gardens, but is rare.

601. B. sp. ? — Harrow-leaved Red Bottle-brush; grows unculti-
vated in gardens on the high land, but is rather rare.

602. B. integrifolia, Linn. f. — Yellow-flowered Banksia ; grow-
ing at Plantation, near the Gardener’s House, to a tree twenty feet
high, and flowering well. One or two trees only, which yield seed.
Bot. Mag. 3120.— Hab. New South Wales.

Hakea, Schrad.

603. H. gibbosa, Cav. ; Concilium yilbosum, Sm. — This tree,
growing to a height of fifteen feet, and bearing sharp spines instead
of leaves, with a seed case resembling the head of a bird, may be seen
amongst the fir trees near Green Gate, and other places, at alt. 3 to 4.
Though it is not abundant, it seeds well.— Hab. N. S. Wales.

Leucadendron, Herm.

604. L, argenteum, R. Br.— The Silver-tree. A few years ago
several fine trees, about thirty feet high, grew at West Lodge and
Lufkins Cottage, and seeded well, but they died, and now only one
small plant exists at Plantation.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

313

ST. HELENA.

Protea, Linn.

005. P. mellifera, Thunb. — Honey plant. One or two only at
Pairy Land. M. Alt. 4. Blossoms freely. Bot. Mag. 346. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

92. Eupiiorct ace/E ( Spurge 'Family).

Aleurites, Forst.

606. A. moluccana, Willd. ; A. triloba , Forst. — One plant only,
a fine large tree, growing in tlie Botanical Gardens, J amestown, and
bearing fruit commonly called Walnuts. C. — Hab. Molucca Islands.

Acalypha, Linn.

607. *A. reticulata, Mull. Arg. var. ; A. rubra, Roxb. non
Willd. — The native String Wood. This beautiful little plant I
believe now to be extinct. It formerly grew on the main central
ridge amongst the ferns and cabbage-trees about the locality ol
Casons, &c., alt. 5. The last plant I saw of it in the Island was
one that had been transplanted to Oakbank about twenty years ago ;
it grew to a small miniature tree, about eighteen inches high, and
blossomed and seeded freely, but is no longer there. — Plate 52.

Buxus, Linn.

608. B. sempervirens, Linn. — The Box plant ; grows well and
rather abundantly on the high land, at an alt. of 3, where it is used
for flower borders as in England. — Hab. Europe, temp. Asia, &c.

Carumbium, Reinw.

609. C. populneum, Reinw. — One large old tree, growing in
Friars Yalley, near to Oaklands.

Cicca, Linn.

610. C. disticha, Linn. — Otaheite Gooseberry ; grows well to a
tree ten feet high, and fruits abundantly, in Maldivia gardens. C.
Alt. '8. Seeds to perfection. — Hab. E. Indies.

Croton, Linn.

611. C. sebiferum, Linn. — The Tallow tree of China; mentioned
by Roxburgh. There is only one small plant of it now growing

Rite 52

A-Melhss di.IH.BuWidi

ACALYPHA RETICULATA.

L.Reeye & C • londorc.

o*'-

BOTAJSY.

319

at Maldivia gardens, and called the Candle-nut tree. Blossoms and
bears seeds. C. — Hab. China.

Cluytia, Ait.

612. C. pulchella, Linn. — Wild Pepper, as it is called; grows
wild and is very ; cram on as a shrub on the high land, alt. 3’6, in the
neighbourhood of Scotland, Oaklands, &c., where it is used for
roadside hedges, but spreads so rapidly as to be an objectionable
weed on the adjacent lands. Bot. Mag. 1945. — Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

Euphorbia, Linn.

613. E. rosea, Betz. — French Grass. This pretty little greenish-
red plant grows wild and is common on the barren, rocky outskirts.
C. Alt. T to 2. It is probably indigenous to the Island. — Hab.
E. Indies.

614. E. Lathyris, Linn. — Wild Caper; grows wild about gar-
dens, but is rather rare.- — Hab. S. Europe.

615. E. Peplus, Linn. — Poisonous weed or Chickweed ; two
varieties of this plant grow wild and are very common. Alt. 2 to 3.
One of the most objectionable weeds of the place. — Hab. Europe,
Asia, and N. Africa.

616. E. Peplus, Linn. var.

617. E. splendens, Boj. — Scarlet Euphorbia; grows cultivated
and is rather common in gardens. Alt. '3 to 4 ; introduced about
twenty years ago at Oakbank. Bot. Mag. 2902. — Hab. Madagascar.

Phyllanthus, Linn.

618. P. sp. ? — A small slender Weed, in gardens ; Scotland, &c. ;
uncultivated, rather common. Alt. 3'6.

619. P. andrachnoides, Willd. — Mentioned by Koxburgh as
growing in the Island.

Poinsettia, Grab.

620. P. pulcherrima, Grab. — Scarlet-leaved plant ; grows to a
height of eight feet ; cultivated and rather common in gardens.
Alt. 3 '8 ; introduced about twenty years ago at Oakbank; does not
seed. Bot. Mag. 3493. — Hab. Mexico.

Bicinus, Linn.

621. R. communis, Linn. — Castor Oil, or Palma Christi ; grows

320

ST. HELENA.

wild, and is very common ; quite a weed about hedges and ditches;
attains to a large shrub ten feet in height. M. Alt. '1 to 3. This
plant grows so readily that it might be cultivated with ease to
almost any extent, and the seeds, which are very abundant, collected
for making castor-oil. The leaves also might serve to feed silk-
worms, but at present no use is made of it. Hab. L. Indies.

93. Urticackte (. Nettle Family).

Cannabis, Linn.

622. C. sativa, Linn. — Hemp; mentioned by Roxburgh as
growing in the Island. — Hab. Asia.

Ficus, Linn.

623. F. sp. ? — Several Trees in the Castle Gardens, Jamestown,
and also near the old Joss-house at Plantation ; grows to a height of

thirty-five feet. C. &H.L. Alts. T to 3'6.

624. F. Carica, Linn.— The Common Fig; grows well and
abundantly to a small tree twelve feet in height, and bears most
excellent fruit from January to June. It appears to thrive as well
at an alt of '2 as it does on the higher land at 3. A variety, known
as the Wild Fig, whose fruit does not ripen, attains a good-sized
tree, and grows about the roadsides in several parts of the Island,
C to H. L. ; easily propagated by cuttings.— Hab. S. of Europe.

625. F. indica, Linn.— The Banyan Tree, or, as it is commonly
called in the Island, the Jack Tree, does not attain a large size. T here
are a few small trees in Jamestown, Sandy Bay, Fisher’s Valley,
Wood Cot, &c., where they are easily recognised by their bright red
fruit. C.— Hab. E. Indies.

626. F. terebrata, Willd. — Grows in the Castle Gardens in
Jamestown, where there are a good many large trees ; also grows in
Rupert’s Valley. C. Easily propagated by cuttings.— Hab. East

Indies. ,

627. F. religiosa, Linn. — The Peepul Tree ; grows to a lieig t

of thirty or forty feet in Jamestown, where there is a fine row of
trees along the front lines, and also in Lemon Valley near to the sea.

C. Easily propagated by cuttings.

628. F. elastica, Roxb. — There are a few India-rubber Trees m
the Island. They seem to thrive well at a low alt. near the sea, as

BOTANY.

321

well as at the higher one of 3-8. They attain a height of thirty
feet, and grow in the Castle Gardens in Jamestown, at Plantation
Plouse, Francis Plain, and Longwood. — Hah. E. Indies.

Morus, Linn.

629. M. nigra, Linn. — Large Mulberry ; grows to a tree ten feet
in height, and fruits well. Cultivated and rather rare ; alt. '8 to 3'8.
Terrace Knoll, Fairy Land, Maldivia, &c. Easily propagated by
cuttings. — Hab. Italy, Persia, &c.

630. M. atropurpurea, Roxb. — Wild Mulberry; grows to a
tree twenty feet in height, is wild and common. Alt. '8 to 5. This
plant was introduced by the East India Company, and much cul-
tivated about thirty or forty years ago, for the purpose of feeding
silkworms, the Company having formed a silk establishment at the
Island. The trees now grow wild in several localities, such as Mul-
berry Gut near Longwood, The Briars, &c., where they were formerly
planted. The silkworm has, however, long since disappeared. The
plant is easily propagated by cuttings. — Hab. East Indies.

631. M. alba, Linn. — White Mulberry; recently introduced
from the Royal Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Probably China.

Urtica, Linn.

632. IT. dioica, Linn. — Kettle ; grows wild and is very common
in ravines, hayficlds, &c. Alt. -3 to 5. — Hab. Europe and N. Asia.

633. IT. tenacissima, Roxb. ; Bcehmcria nivea, Hk. & Arn. —
Mentioned by Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. Asia.

94. Ulmaoe.u {Elm Family).

Ulmus, L.

634. IT. parvifolia, Jacq. — Elm Tree. One tree only, which
seeds well, growing at the back ol Fairyland House, attaining a
height of about twenty feet. M. Alt. 4. — Hab. China, &c.

635. IT. virgata, Roxb. — Elm, said by Roxburgh to grow in the
Island. — Hab. East Indies.

95. J ugoandacE/E ( Walnut Family ) .

Juglans, Linn.

636. J. regia, Linn. — The Walnut has been recently introduced
from the Royal Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Persia, &c.

Y

322 ST. SELENA.

96. CupuLiFERiE ( Oak Family ).

Corylus, Linn.

637. C. Avellana, Linn. — The Hazel-nut grows at Mount
Pleasant at alt. 4, but a few plants only. It bears nuts, but they
do not come to perfection. — Hab. Europe, and temp. Asia.

Castanea, Lam.

638. C. vesca, Lam. — The Chestnut grows well to a large tree,
fifteen or twenty feet in height, and fruits, but the few trees in
the Island have been greatly neglected, and several fine ones at
West Lodge were recently cut down. One tree remains at Arnos
Yale. — Hab. Europe, Asia, and N. America.

Quercus, Linn.

639. Q. Robur, Linn. — The Oak was introduced in 1749, more
than a century since, and thrives well on the high land, where, in the
ravines and hollows, it gets sufficient shelter and depth of soil. It is
abundant, and grows side by side with the JBanana, the Calla
iEthiopica, and the Bamboo j the latter, in some instances, may be
seen shooting up through its branches, and drooping over its top-
most foliage. An oak tree, now growing in the grounds at Govern-
ment House, measures twelve feet to the first branch, and thirteen feet
in circumference ; another measures ten feet to the first branch, and
twelve feet in circumference ; while each attains a height of about
fifty feet. The Oak is amongst the thoroughly naturalized plants,
and bears acorns abundantly, which are used for feeding pigs.
The trees are bare of leaf from July to September and Octo-
ber, when the spring commences. — Hab. Europe, and temp.
Asia.

640. Q. Ilex, Linn. — The Evergreen Oak grows well to a tree
of fifteen or eighteen feet in height, and is also naturalized, though
not so abundant as the common oak. — Hab. S. of Europe.

641. Q. olivaeformis, Michx. — Several fine Moss-cup Oak trees,
about twenty-five feet high, may be seen growing in the interior of
the Island. They flower in October, and bear seed freely. — Hab.
1ST. America.

642. Q.. Suber, Linn. — The Cork Oak grows well, and rather

BOTANY.

323

abundantly, to a handsome tree, full thirty feet in height, and very
branching. The bark does not attain much thickness, but the
timber is very handsome. Bears seed abundantly. — Hab. S.W. of
Europe.

643. Q,. sp. ? \

644. Q. sp. ? Several species of oak recently introduced from

645. Q. sp. ? ) Kew Gardens, but at present all small plants

646. Q. sp. ? in the gardens at Government House.

647. Q. sp. P /

97. Betui.ace.'E ( Birch Family).

Betula, Linn.

648. B. alba, Linn. — The common Birch has recently been in-
troduced from the Boyal Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Europe, Asia,
N. America.

98. Casuarinm.

Casuarina, Linn.

649. C. leptoclada, Moq., near C. muricata, Roxb. — Red-flowered
Casuarina, or Beefwood ; attains to a tree twenty feet in height ;
Uncultivated and rather common ; Plantation, Prospect, &c. Alt,
3 '2 to 4. The wood of this tree is used for turning, &c. It is of a
beautiful red colour, with a grain somewhat resembling raw beef,
bence its name ; seeds freely. — Hab. Australia.

650. C. quadrivalvis, Labill. — Yellow-flowered Casuarina ; one
bne large tree at Fairyland, about twenty feet high. M. Alt. 4. —
Hab. New South Wales.

651. C. muricata, Roxb. — Beefwood Tree, recently introduced
from the Royal Gardens at Kew. — Hab. E. Indies.

99. Salic ace/e [Willow Family).

Populus, Linn.

652. B. alba, Linn. — White Poplar, or Abele Tree; grows well
and abundantly about the central part of the Island to a tree
twenty feet high. Does not seed, but propagates very rapidly from
the roots. — Hab. Europe, and temp. Asia.

y 2

324

ST. HELENA-

Salix, Liim.

653. S. babylonica, Linn. — Weeping Willow ; wild and com-
mon ; grows to a tree thirty feet high in the mountain streams, and
at Napoleon’s Tomb ; whence it has attained such notoriety. It is
said that the two willow trees at the tomb have been carried away,
piece by piece, as Napoleonic relics, two or three times over, and that
those now growing there are the great grandchildren of the original
trees. The foliage is used as food for cattle, when grass becomes
scarce during dry weather. Alt. 2 to 4. — Hab. Levant.

654. S. viminalis, Linn. — Osier; recently introduced from the
Eoyal Gardens at Kew.

100. Conifers {Pine Family).

Abies, Loud.

655. A. Smithiana, Loud. — Recently introduced from the Royal
Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Mountains of India, and Japan.

Araucaria, Juss.

656. A. excelsa, R. Br. — This stately tree, the Norfolk Island
Pine, may be seen at Plantation Gardens, Mount Pleasant, and
other places, towering above grand old oak trees that would not be
despised anywhere. There are eight or ten full-grown trees, and a
large number of young ones, recently raised from seed of the former,
and planted out in various situations both on the high and low
lands. One of these trees at Plantation, said to be sixty-two years
old, rises as straight as an arrow from the ground to a height of
one hundred and ten feet, tapering from ten feet three inches in
circumference near the bottom to a few inches at the top. It sheds
its seeds abundantly, but not until ten years ago did they germinate ;
now they do so without care or cultivation. — Hab. Norfolk Island.

657. A. brasiliensis, Rich. — There are three of this beautiiul
tree in the Island, one growing at Plantation House, one at Rose
Cottage, and the other at Rosemary Hall. H. L. Alt. 3'7o to 4.
There is no record showing when they were introduced, and
Roxburgh gives no notice of them in his list of plants. Hr. Hooker,
however, observed them in 1840 as large trees, so that they have
probably been there fifty years, or upwards. They have attained a

SOT ANY.

325

height of about forty-five or fifty feet, and produce seed. — Hab.
Brazil.

Biota, Don.

658. B. orientalis, Don.- — This and the following variety have
recently been introduced to the Island from the Boyal Gardens at
Kew. — Hab. China and Japan.

659. B. orientalis, Don. var. intermedia.

Cupressus, Linn.

660. C. torulosa, Don. — One specimen only, a large spreading
Cedar-tree, growing to a height of eighteen or twenty feet, in Plan-
tation Grounds, below St. Paul’s Church. Alt. 3'7. Does not seed.
— Hab. India.

661. C. torulosa, var. Kashniriana, Hort.

662. C. sempervirens, Linn. — The Cypress grows to a fine
handsome tree of thirty feet in height in those situations where it
has been planted. In St. Paul’s churchyard, alt. 4, there are a large
number of Cypresses ; they also thrive well at The Briars, and
Maldivia, at much lower altitudes. C. to H. L. There are many of
them in the Island, and bear abundance of seeds, which do not
germinate. — Hab. Candia.

663. C. lusitanica, Mill. — One handsome tree of the Cypress of
Goa grows in Plantation Grounds, to the westward, below St.
Paul’s Church. It is a large tree, and has doubtless been there for
many years ; does not seed. — Hab. Goa.

664. C. Lawsoniana, Murr. — This and the following species
have recently been introduced from the Royal Gardens at Kew.

665. C. Macnabiana, Murr.; C. glandalosa, Hk. — Hab. N.
California.

666. C. Lawsoniana, Murr. var. glauca.

Cryptomeria, Don.

667. C. japonica, Don. — Red Cedar of Japan; recently intro-
duced from the Royal Gardens at Kew. — -Hab. Japan.

Callitris, Yent.

668. C. attenuata, Cunn. — A few of this handsome little Tree

326

ST. HELENA.

grow on the high land at Kosemary Hall and Prospect, where they
seed abundantly, but no young plants appear. — Hab. Australia.

Cunningliamia, E. Br.

669. C. sinensis, Eicli ; C. lanceolata, Hk. — Called Chili Pine ;
grows somewhat abundantly on the high land to a fine tree, thirty
or forty feet high. It has lately been ascertained that the white ant
insect will not attack the wood of this tree ; a specimen buried in
the earth in a locality infested with white ants was not touched after
six months’ exposure. This fact places the existing trees in much
peril ; indeed, some have already been cut down and used for timber.
It should also encourage extensive planting of them. They bear seed
freely, which do not germinate. Bot. Mag. 2743. — Hab. China.

Juniperus, Linn.

670. J. bermudiana, Linn. — Bermuda Cedar. Several hundred
plants of this valuable timber tree have recently been introduced
into the Island, raised from seed by Governor Sir Charles Elliot,
and seem to thrive very well. They have been planted out chiefly
on the high land and in the neighbourhood of Plantation, but they
appear to answer equally well on the lowland in the warm valleys. —
Hab. Bermuda.

671. J. virginiana, Linn. — Eed Cedar. There is one fine
spreading tree, about eighteen feet high, growing in Plantation
Grounds. It is apparently an old one, but does not seed. — Hab. N.
America.

Pinus, Linn.

672. P. Pinaster, Ait. — The common Fir, introduced in 1787,
is now one of the most abundant trees in the Island. It grows
readily, shedding its seed and springing up without care or cultiva-
tion. In some of the rocky soilless parts it thrives well, merely
thrusting its roots between the cracks and fissures of the rocks. In
various parts there are perhaps altogether about two hundred acres
thickly planted with these Firs. They do not appear to answer at
a lower altitude than fifteen hundred feet above the sea, and are con-
fined to M. and H. L., at alts, from 3 to 5. Many of the trees

BOTANY.

327

attain a large size, upwards of sixty feet in height, with straight
branchless trunks, thirty or forty feet long, and ten feet in circum-
ference. One such specimen was recently sawn into timber at Plan-
tation, and yielded, exclusive of the outside slabs, seventeen double
deals and eleven pieces of squared timber, in all amounting to fifty-
one cubic feet. The expense of sawing this tree, with a pair of ordi-
nary sawyers, was 1)5*. ; as the market price of the same quantity
of imported pine timber amounted to 200*., and considering that
the Island Fir is equal in quality to Memel or Riga, while the im-
ported is but an ordinary white pine- wood, it is a matter of surprise
that the St. Helena Fir is seldom used excepting as firewood.
Flowers in September and October. — Hab. Mediterranean region.

673. P. Pinea, Linn. — The Stone Pine; grows to a large tree,
and is pretty common on the high lands, at alt. 3 ‘4. In exposed situa-
tions, as at Merrymans Hill, it appears dwarfed, but at Oaklands
there are handsome trees of it, thirty feet in height, and each spread-
ing over an area of three or four hundred square yards. It bears
seeds freely, but they do not germinate so readily as those of
P. Pinaster. — Hab. S. of Europe.

674. P. sylvestris, Linn. — The Scotch Pine is much less
abundant than the species Pinaster. — Hab. Europe.

675. P. longifolia, Roxb. — Two or three fine trees of this
very handsome Fir grow in the Island ; they may be found in the
valley on the west side of Plantation House, attaining a height of
sixty feet or more, and are easily distinguished by their fine long
leaves and ashy-blue colour. They bear seeds freely, but they do
not readily germinate. — Hab. E. Indies.

676. P. densiflora, Sieb. — A small Fir, not very common, but
found near the upper entrance gate to Terrace Knoll, near Friars
Plain. M. Alt. 3. — Hab. Japan.

677. P. canariensis, Sm. — A large handsome Fir, somewhat
common amongst the other trees on the high land at Plantation,
Oakbank, Prospect, &c. Bears seeds freely, which do not appear to
germinate. — Plab. Canary Islands.

678. P. rigida, Mill. — Hab.

N. America.

679. P. excelsa, Wall. — Hab.

Nepal.

In addition to the above, several Firs of great value, includin

Two species of Fir recently in-
troduced from the Royal Gar-
dens at Kew.

328

ST. EE LENA.

Mexican Pines and others, have been introduced recently, and are
thriving well on the western side of the lawn at Plantation House.

Picea, Link.

6S0. P. Webbiana, Loud. — Recently introduced from the Royal
Gardens at Kew. — Hab. Nepal.

Podocarpus, L’Her.

681. P. elongata, L’Her. — The Cape Tew ; grows well and
quickly to a fine timber tree. At Plantation it attains a large
size, measuring nine feet in circumference, and rising thirty feet to
the first brandies, the total height being from sixty to seventy feet.
Another tree, near the old Fish Pond, measures round the trunk as
much as eleven feet eight inches. It yields the timber known at
the Cape of Good Hope as yellow-wood ; wild and very common.
H. L. Alt. 3 to 4. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

682. P. chinensis, Wall. — China Yew, said by Roxburgh to
grow in the Island. — Hab. China.

Sequoia, Endl.

683. S. gigantea, Torr. — Wellingtonia ; recently introduced
from the Royal Gardens at Kew. — Hah. N. America.

Taxodium, Rich.

684. T. disticlium, Rich. — Two fine trees, about forty feet
high, grow in the valley near the old Fish Pond at Plantation.
H. L. Alt. 3'2. Bears seeds, hut they do not appear to germinate.
This plant is said to be nearly allied to a fossil tertiary species wdiich
appears to have been spread over Europe during the Miocene epoch.
— Hab. Southern United States and Mexico.

Thuja, Linn.

685. T. occidentalis, Linn.— Arbor Vitas ; grows to a small
tree both on the high and low lands, but not abundantly. Bears
seeds freely, but they do not germinate without cultivation. — Hab.
N. America.

BOTANY.

329

Widdringtonia, Endl.

6S6. W. cupressoides, Endl. — Mentioned by Roxburgh as
growing in the Island. — Hab. Africa.

101. Cycadace/E ( Cycas Family).

Cycas, Linn.

687. C. revoluta, Linn. — Sago Palm; two or three plants only.
Maldivia, C. Alt. '65, and Oakbank, H. L. Alt. 3'6. Grows well,
and fruits, but I have not seen the seed germinate. Bot. Mag.
2963. — Hab. China.

CLASS II.— MONOCOTYLEDONS.

102. Palmas {Palms).

Cocos, Linn.

688. C. nucifera, Linn. — Cocoa Hut; grows to a height of sixty
feet, but the fruit seldom comes to perfection ; about ten trees only,
in James Valley. Alt. '5 to -8 — Hab. Tropics.

Coryplia, Linn.

689. C. umbraeulifera, Linn. — The Fan Palm, of which there
are several plants at Maldivia Gardens and Plantation, which have
attained a height of ten or twelve feet. C. & H. L. Seeds well
on the low land. — Hab. E. Indies.

Jubrea, H. B. K.

690. J. spectabilis, H. B. K. — One specimen only of this
beautiful Palm grows at Farm Lodge to a height of about forty
feet. M. Alt. 36. It fruits well, bearing an abundance of small
nuts, resembling miniature cocoa-nuts. Hab. Chili.

Phoenix, Linn.

691. P. dactylifera, Linn. — The Date; grows well in the low
hot ravines and valleys, such as Jamestown, C. Alt. 1, where there
are about thirty or forty trees. Attains a height of fifty feet, and
fruits to perfection in September at Maldivia. Two or three trees
grow at a higher altitude, but do not thrive. Some of these trees

330

ST. HELENA.

are upwards of sixty years old, as mention is made of their being in
flower in the year 1810. — Hab. Levant.

692. P. reclinata, Jacq. — A few small trees of the Dwarf Date
Palm grow in Sandy Day and Jamestown, &c. — Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

Bhapis, Linn. f.

693. R. flabelliformis, Linn. f. — 'This little miniature Palm
grows, though not abundantly, on the high land at Plantation,
Mount Pleasant, &c., where its stems are made into very fair cane-
like walking-sticks. Bot. Mag. 1371. — Hab. China and Japan.

103. Pandanace^e.

Pandanus, Linn. f.

694. P. utilis, Bory. — Screw Pine ; five or six plants only at
Plantation and Oakbank, attaining a height of eighteen feet. H. L.
Alt. 3'6. — Hab. Bourbon.

6!) 5. P. candelabrum, Beauv. — One plant at Bock Cottage,
height twenty feet, bears fruit, but the seeds do not arrive at per-
fection. H. L. Alt. 3‘6. — Hab. Guiana.

104. Lemnaceas ( Duckweed Family).

Lemna, Linn.

696. L. polyrhiza, Linn. — Duckweed is very common and abun-
dant in the mountain streams, and covers every pond of water. —
Hab. Europe, Siberia, Madeira, N. America, &c.

105. OacniDACE.E ( Orchis Family).

Cymbidium, Swartz.

697. C. aloefolium, Swartz. — Mentioned by Boxburgh as grow-
ing in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

106. Z[NGIBERACE/E {Ginger Family).

Alpinia, Linn.

698. A. nutans, Bose. — Large Ginger Plant ; grows wild abun-
dantly in the ravines and valleys, H. L., alt. 2 '4, to a height of eight

BOTANY.

331

or ten feet, flowering profusely. Does not seed, but propagates by
suckers. Bot. Mag. 1903. — Hab. E. Indies.

699. A. reeta, Bose. — Small Ginger Plant; growing wild in
Maldivia Gardens, and also about some of the neglected garden sites
on the high land. Common C. to H. L. Alt. '6 to 4- — Hab. E.
Indies.

Curcuma, Linn.

700. C. longa, Linn. — Turmeric. I have seen this plant in
the Island at Oakbank, but it did not seem to flourish. — Hab. Trop.
Asia.

Hedychium, Kon.

701. H. chrysoleucum, Hk. — Primrose-flowered Ginger Plant;
grows wild abundantly, and is common in some of the mountain
ravines, and along the sides of the streams of water at the Hermitage
especially. Flowers freely, does not seed, but extends rapidly from
the roots. Alt. 2-4. Bot. Mag. 4516. — Hab. E. Indies.

Zingiber, Linn.

702. Z. officinale, Bose. — Ginger. This plant has been intro-
duced several times, but it does not appear to succeed. — Hab. Trop.
Asia.

107. Cannacejs {Arrowroot Family).

Canna, Linn.

703. C. indica, Linn. — Indian Shot ; grows wild and is common,
alt. 4, in most ravines and swampy places. Hie seeds are often used
as a substitute for shot, by boys whose means will afford the pur-
chase of a gun only. Bot. Mag. 454. Hab. "W. Indies.

704. C. coecinea, Ait. — Scarlet-flowered Indian Shot; grows
in shrubberies, at alt. 4, uncultivated; rather common. — Hab. E.
Indies.

705. C. glauca, Linn. — Yellow-flowered Indian Shot; grows
uncultivated and is common, H. L. — Hab. W. Indies.

706. C. iridiflora, B. & P. — Gigantic Indian Shot ; grows at
Plantation, Bose Cottage, &c., alt. 3 8 to 4'5, uncultivated ; rather
rare. Bot. Mag. 1968. — Hab. Peru.

332

ST. HELENA.

707. C. Warscewiczii, Dietr. — Deep Red-flowered Indian Shot;
growing commonly in Scotland, and other gardens. — -Hab. Costa
Rica.

Maranta, Linn.

708. M. arundinacea, Linn. — Arrow Root has been grown
and manufactured in the Island, but the plant is now rare. — Hab.
W. Indies.

108. MusACEiE ( Banana "Family).

Musa, Linn.

709. M. paradisiaea, Linn. — The Plantain; grows uncultivated
and is rather common, in the ravines. C. to H. L. Alt. -2 to 38 ;
fruits well. — Hab. Tropics.

710. M. sapientum, Linn. — Banana. At least five varieties —
viz., the Red, Broad Flat Yellow, Finger, Bastein, and Stout Juicy,
grow wild and are common in ravines and gardens where water exists,
C. to H. L. alt. -2 to 3'8 ; they fruit best in the low valleys where
there is greatest heat. One of the most abundant fruits in the
Island, is propagated by suckers. — Hab. Tropics.

Strelitzia, Banks.

711. S. reginse, Banks. — Peacock Flower; grows in gardens
and shrubberies, uncultivated; rather rare. Alt. 3-8. Blossoms
freely, and is propagated by suckers. Bot. Mag. 119. — Hab. Cape
of Good Hope.

712. S. augusta, Thunb. — Large White Strelitzia, or Travel-
lers’ Joy; grows to a height of ten feet. Alt. 3. Very rare ; one at
Plantation, another at Terrace Knoll. Blossoms freely. — Hab. Cape
of Good Hope.

713. S. parvifolia, Dryand. — Narrow-leaved Strelitzia; culti-
vated in gardens. Alt. 3;6. Rather rare. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

109. IridivE ( Iris Family).

Antholyza, Linn.

714. A. aethiopica, Linn. — Common Flag; grows wild and is
very common, seeding freely. Alt. 3'8 to 4. Bot. Mag. 561 and
1172.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope,

BOTANY.

333

Babiana, Ker.

715. B. stricta, Iter. — Common blue Babiana; grows wild
and is common, in garden localities. Alt. 3'8 to 4. Bot. Mag. 637.
— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

716. B. rubro-cyanea, Ker. — Blue-and-scarlet Babiana; cul-
tivated in gardens ; rather rare. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

717. B. villosa, Iter. — Crimson Babiana; cultivated in gar-
dens ; rare. Bot. Mag. 583. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Ferraria, Linn.

718. F. undulata, Linn. — Poisonous or Spider Bulb; grows un-
cultivated in gardens, alt. 3’8, and is rather common. Bot. Mag. 144.
— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Tigridia, Juss.

719. T. Pavonia, Pers. — Tiger Lily. This most beautiful showy
flower grows wild in gardens, and is rather common at Oakbank,
Rose Cottage, &c. Alt. 3'8 to 4'4. Seeds abundantly. Bot. Mag.
532. — Hab. Mexico.

Gladiolus, Linn.

720. G. cuspidatus, Jacq. — A whitish-flowered Gladiolus, about
fifteen inches high, growing wild in gardens, at alt. 3 8, the Pler-
mitage, &c. — Hab. S. Africa.

721. G. hirsutus, Jacq.; Antholyza Merianetta, Murr. — Culti-
vated in gardens. Alt. 3‘8. Bot. Mag. 441. Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

722. G. natalensis, Reinw.— Natal Bulb; grows wild and is
common in and about gardens, &c. Alt. 3 '8. Hab, Natal.

Ixia, Linn.

723. I. monadelpha, Delarb. — Orange-coloured Ixia; grows
well in gardens. Bot. Mag. 607 and 1378. Hab. S. Africa.

724. I. maculata, Linn., var. viridiflora. — Green Ixia; cultivated
and very rare in gardens, Oakbank, &c. Bot. Mag. 549. — Hab. Cape
of Good Hope.

334

ST. HELENA.

725. I. ereeta, Berg. — White Ixia. Uncultivated in gardens;
rather common. Alt. 3'8 to 4. Bot. Mag. 623 and 1173.— Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

726. I. patens, Ait. — This beautiful crimson Ixia grows culti-
vated in the garden at Oakbank, and is rather rare. Alt. 3*8. Bot.
Mag. 522. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

727. I. conica, Salisb. — Yellow-and-black Ixia; grows wild and
is rather common in gardens. Alt. 3-2 to 4. Bot. Mag. 539. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

7 28. I. maculata, Linn. — White-and-brown-flowered Ixia, grow-
ing in gardens on the high land. Bot. Mag. 1285.— Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

Iris, Linn.

729. I. ochroleuca, Linn. — White Iris; grows wild and is
common in clumps about Plantation, Bosemary Hall, &c. H. L.
Alt. 3‘8. Bot. Mag. 1515. — Hab. Levant.

730. I. sp. ? — Blue Iris; cultivated in gardens on the high
land.

Pardanthus, Her.

731. P. chinensis, Ker. — Mentioned by Boxburgh as growing
in the Island. — Hab. East Indies, China, &c.

Morsea, Linn.

732. M. collina, Thunb. — A bulb which springs up annually and
bears bright orange-coloured flowers. It is quite wild, and covers
whole pastures on the western side of the Island, at Halfmoon, &c.
Cattle avoid it, consequently it is said to be poisonous to them.
Though quite a pest, when in full blossom the fields of it are very
showy and remarkable through its brilliant colour. — Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

733. M. iridioides, Gawl. — A white and purple-flowered Iris-
like plant, common in the garden at Plantation. Alt. 36. Bot.
Mag. 693. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Sparaxis, Ker.

734. S. grandiflora, Ker.— Purple velvet Bulb; cultivated in
the garden at Oakbank. Alt. 3‘8. Bare. Bot. Mag. 541. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

BOTANY.

335

735. S. tricolor, Ker. — This pink, orange, and black-flowered
Bulb grows in the garden at Oakbank. Bot. Mag. 1482. — Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.

Tritonia, Ker.

736. T. longiflora, Ker. — Long, flesh-coloured Tritonia ; grows
wild and is rather common amongst the grass near gardens.
Alt. 3’8. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Trichonema, Ker.

737. T. ochroleueum, Ker. — A pretty bright pink star-
flowered bulbous plant, a few inches in height, that grows wild
and is common in the grassfields at Plantation, Rock Cottage,
Myrtle Grove, &c. H. L.-r-Alt. 4. Seeds abundantly. — Hab. Cape
of Good Hope.

Watsonia, Mill.

738. W. iridifolia, Ker. — Sour Bulb, so called from the acidity
of its leaves ; grows wild and is common in St. Paul’s Churchyard,
shrubberies, &c. H. L. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag. 600. — Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.

739. W. Meriana, Ker. ; Antholyza Meriana , Linn. — Grows wild
and is common about shrubberies. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag. 418. —
Plab. Cape of Good Hope.

740. W. marginata, Ker. — Peach-blossom Bulb ; grows wild
and is common, generally associated with the other species. Bot.
Mag. 608. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

741. W. rosea, Ker. — Wild Bulb, or Pink Watsonia. Wild
and common in and near to gai'dens, St. Paul s Churchyard, &c.
Alt. 3-8. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

110. AmaryllidacetE {Amaryllis Family).

Amaryllis, Linn.

742. A. reginae, Linn.— Large red single-flowered Amaryllis;
cultivated in gardens, rather rare. Alt. 3-8. Bot. Mag. 453. -
Hab. Mexico.

743. A. belladonna, Sweet. — Belladonna, or Common Pink
Lily ; grows wild and is very common. H. L. Alt. 3 8 to 4. These
pretty flowers shoot up from amongst the grass in considerable

336

ST. HELENA.

numbers after the winter rains. Seeds well. Bot. Mag. 733. —
Hab. W. Indies.

744. A. formosissima, Linn. — Dark -red Jacobea Lily; grown
in gardens. Bot. Mag. 47. — Hab. N. America.

Agave, Linn.

745. A. americana, Linn. var. variegata. — -Large variegated
green and yellow-leaved Aloe ; grows very well to a large size at
Terrace Knoll, Southens, and other places. It is the fermented juice
of this plant that furnishes the intoxicating Pulque of the Mexicans.
The expressed juice of the leaves evaporated is also useful as a sub-
stitute for soap. The fibre of the leaf is extremely tough, and makes
excellent cordage. With little trouble or expense this useful plant
might be extensively grown in the Island. Although it has not
yet blossomed, it is easily propagated.

74G. A. lurida, Jacq. — The common Fence Aloe; abundant
and growing wild everywhere, though it thrives best on the higher
land, at M., alt. 4. Planted in rows, it forms the most common
method of fencing lands, &c., in many parts of the Island. Flowers
and seeds freely. Bot. Mag. 1522. — Hab. Vera Cruz.

Crinum, Linn.

747. C. amabile, Don. — A reddish-purple-flowered Bulb or Lily,
growing not very abundantly in gardens on the high land. — Hab.
Sumatra.

743. C. asiaticum, Linn. — This handsome Lily grows in an
uncultivated state in many of the gardens as at Maldivia on the
low, and Terrace Knoll on the high land. C. to II. L.— Hab. Trop.
Asia, &c.

Doryanthes, Correa.

749. D. excelsa, Correa. — Gigantic Lily ; grows somewhat in
an uncultivated state, but not abundantly, on the high land at
Mount Pleasant, &c., where it occasionally flowers well, the stem
attaining a height of twenty feet or more. Bot. Mag. 1685. — Hab.
N. S. Wales.

Fourcroya, Vent.

750. F. gigantea, Vent. — English Aloe; grows wild abundantly
throughout the Island. Its flowering stem rises to a height of

BOTANY.

337

thirty feet, or more, and a mass of three or four together in full
bloom renders it one of the most beautiful plants in the Island. It
grows well and readily on the somewhat barren land, and might be
largety cultivated for the sake of the fibre it yields. About two tons
of this fibre was prepared by hand, and exported from the Island
during the year 1870, and realized in England 35/. to 40/. per ton.
The plant itself is used for live fencing, and the dry flower-stems
for various purposes, from rafters for a cottage roof to razor-strops.
Eot. Mag. 2250. — Hab. Tropical America.

Hsemantlius, Linn.

751. H. toxicarius, Thunb. — Book Lily; a plant or two in
gardens on the high land. Bot. Mag. 1217. — Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

Narcissus, Linn.

752. N. Jonquilla, Linn. — Yellow Narcissus; grows wild and
is common about gardens, &c. Alt. 3-8. Bot. Mag. 15. — Hab.
Spain.

753. N. biflorus, Linn. — White Narcissus ; more abundant than
the other species, grows wild and is common about the spots where
gardens have once existed. Alt. 2 to 4. — Hab. S. Europe, &c.

Pancratium, Linn.

754. P. littorale, Jacq. — White streamer-flowered Lily ; grows
cultivated and is rather common in gardens, Maldivia, Plantation, &c.
Alt. '6 to 3-8. Bot. Mag. 1879. — Hab. S. America.

111. Bromeli ace/e {Pine- Apple Family).

Ananassa, Lindl.

755. A. sativa, Lindl. — The Pine Apple is cultivated in some of
the high land gardens, but, although it fruits, it does not come to
perfection. — Hab. S. America.

Bromelia, Linn.

756. B. Pinguin, Linn. — Recently introduced from the Royal
Gardens at Kew. — Hab. W. Indies.

z

338

ST. HELENA.

Billbergia, Thunb.

757. B. sp. ? — A Pine-Apple like plant growing in an uncul-
tivated state at Sydenham ; rare.

112. DioscoiiEACEiE (Yam Family).

Dioscorea, Linn.

758. D. alata, Linn. — The Coast Yam is cultivated to a small
extent. — Hab. E. Indies.

759. D. aculeata, Linn.- — This species is mentioned by Pox-
burgh as growing in the Island; it may be distinguished by its
prickly stem, the stalks of the other being winged. — Hab. E. Indies.

Testudinaria, Burch.

7 60. T. elephantipes, Burch. — Elephant’s Foot, so called from
its resemblance thereto. Several plants are to be found in Plan-
tation and other gardens, at alt. 3'7, where they grow and flower
well, the base of the plant measuring from twelve to thirty inches
in diameter. Bot. Mag. 1347. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

113. Lu.iACEiE (Lily Family).

Asparagus, Linn.

761. A. lsevissimus, Stend. — Madagascar Creeper; grows un-
cultivated in gardens both on the low and high lands, Maldivia,
Oakbank, &c. C. to H. L. Seeds well. — Hab. E. Indies.

Allium, Linn.

762. A. ascalonicum, Linn. — The Shallot; grows well, cul-
tivated, in gardens, as do also the following three species, all of which
seed. — Hab. Palestine.

763. A. cepa, Linn. — Onion.

764. A. porrum, Linn. — Leek. — Hab. S. Europe.

765. A. sativum, Linn. — Garlic. — Hab. S. Europe.

766. A. fragrans, Vent. — Wild or Sweet-scented Allium ; grows
wild and is very common generally, more especially in and about
gardens, where it is quite a weed. — Hab. Trop. America, &c.

BOTANY.

339

Agapanthus, L’Herit.

767. A. umbellatus, L’Herit. — Blue Christmas Lily, so named
from its coming into blossom in the month of December ; grows wild
and is very common about shrubberies and gardens. Alt. 3 to 4 ;
seeds abundantly. Bot. Mag. 500. — Hab. Cape of Glood Hope.

Aloe, Linn.

768. A. perfoliata, Linn. — One or two plants at Plantation,
which flower well.

769. A. vulgaris, Lam. — The Medicinal Aloe ; might be grown
to any extent ; clumps of it exist in the neighbourhood of Half-tree
Hollow, and hedges of it in the Castle gardens, Jamestown. C.
Alt. T to L8. Very little use is made of this plant by the Islanders
beyond an outward application of the leaves to sprains or bruises.
Blowers and seeds well. — Hab. W. Indies.

770. A. grandidentata, S. Dyck. — Sempervivum. This pretty
little Aloe, with its variegated leaves, grows wild and is common
about Merrymans Hill, &c. M. Alt. 4. The native people use the
leaves for outward applications, and also as a medicine for poultry. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Dracama, Linn.

771. D. ferrea, Linn. — Dragon-tree; cultivated in gardens,
and rather rare. Alt. 3'8. Bot. Mag. 2053. — Hab. China.

772. D. australis, Forst. — Grows in the Botanical Gardens,
Jamestown, C. Alt. *5, and at Sunnyside, M. Alt. 3. Two plants
only in the Island ; seeds abundantly. — Hab. New Zealand.

Dianella, Lam.

773. D. cserulea, Sims. — Blue Dianella; a small trailing plant;
m some parts grows wild and is a common weed. H. L. Alt. 3'8.
Hot. Mag. 505. — Hab. N. S. Wales.

Hemerocallis, Linn.

774. H. fulva, Linn. — A large Bulb, with a brick-orange-
coloured flower ; grows in gardens cultivated, and is rare. Bot.
Mag. 64.— Hab. China.

z 2

340

ST. HELENA.

Lilium, Linn.

775. L. candidum, Linn. — HabASt. John’s or White Lily ; both

Palestine. species grow in gardens, un-

776. L. longiflorum, Thunb. — j cultivated, and are rather

Hab. Japan. J common, alt. 3'2 ; blossom

freely in December, when they are much used for church floral
decorations at Christmas. Bot. Begister 560, and Bot. Mag. 27b.

Massonia, Linn.

777. M. latifolia, Linn. — White Book-lily; cultivated in gar-
dens; rare. Bot. Mag. 848. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Ornithogalum, Link.

778. 0. pyramidale, Linn. — Diana’s Night- cap ; grows wild and
is common in and about gardens, Oakbank, &c. Alt. 8'8. — Hab.
Spain.

Polianthes, Linn.

779. P. tuberosa, Linn. — Tuberose; cultivated and flowers well
in gardens. Alt. 36. Kather rare. — Hab. Mexico.

Phormium, Forst.

780. P. tenax, Forst. — New Zealand Flax; grows wild and is
common about the high land. Hitherto the only use made of the
plant has been by the market gardener for tying up his bunches of
vegetables, &c. ; and although the value of the plant for the fibre it
yields has long attracted attention, it is only very recently that its
cultivation has been undertaken with this object in view. During
the last year or so a very considerable extent of land has been planted
with it. Bot. Mag. 3199. The fibre of this plant is worth about
50/. a ton. — Hab. New Zealand.

Sanseviera, Thunb.

781. S. guineensis, Willd. — Introduced from Ascension Island
about three years ago, with a view to cultivation for the fibre it yields.
About five hundred plants exist in the Nursery Garden at Planta-
tion. Bot. Mag. 1179. — Hab. Guinea.

BOTANY.

341

782. S. zeylaniea, Willd. — Mentioned by Roxburgh. — Hab.
Ceylon.

Kniphofia, Moencli.

783. K. uvaria, Hk. — Sky-rocket; grows wild about gardens
and shrubberies on the high land; rather common. Bot. Mag. 758.
— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Yucca, Linn.

784. Y. aloifolia ? Linn. — Several growing at The Briars. M.
Very rare. Bot. Mag. 1700. — Hab. S. America.

114. HjEmodoracejs.

Wachendorfia, Linn.

785. W. hirsuta, Thunb. — Yellow Wachendorfia; grows wild
and is rather common about gardens, &c. Alt. 3-8. Bot. Mag. 614.
— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

115. Aroide/E ( Arum Family).

Caladium, Yent.

786. C. esculentum, Yent. — The Yam of St. Helena. The
root of this plant is steamed for twelve hours, and then eaten as a
substitute for potatoes. It was formerly much cultivated for the
purpose, but since the importation of rice has somewhat fallen into
disuse. Grows wild and is very common along the mountain streams
at alt. 3. Seldom flowers, and is propagated by suckers — Hab.
Amei'ica.

787. C. sp. ? — Bencoolen Yarn; a smaller plant than the former
species, flowers occasionally only, is not eaten, but used for feeding
pigs.

Richardia, Kth.

788. R. eethiopica, Kth. — Guinea Yam, or Arum; this plant
grows wild and is very common along the mountain streams, which,
in the month of October, when it is in flower, forms one of the most
picturesque and striking features of the landscape. The roots and
stems are used for feeding pigs. H. L. Alt. 2 to 4. Bot. Mag. 832. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

342

ST. HELENA.

116. Juncace/e ( Rush Family).

Juncus, Linn.

789. J. oapensis, Thunb. — Spreading Water Grass, or Bush ;
wild and common in some localities in the swampy parts of the
mountain streams, at The Briars, Oakbank, &c.— Hab. Cape of Good
Hope.

790. J. capensis, Thunb. var. la ti/olius.— Large-headed Water
Grass; wild and very common along the banks of streams throughout
the Island.— Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

791. J. effusus, Linn. A Bush; grows wild and is common in
clumps at Taylor s Flat, Ladder Hill, and other places at different
altitudes. C. to II. L. Alt. 1 to 5.— Hab. 1ST. temp, regions.

792. J. bufonius, Linn.— Star Grass; a very common little
grass; grows wild and is very common on the high land. — Hab.
1ST. temp, regions.

117. CoMMELYNACEiE.

Commelyna, Dill.

793. C. bengalensis, Linn.— A Blue-flowering plant, growing
sowewhat uncultivated, but rare, in the shrubberies at Oakbank!
H. L. Alt. 3.- — Hab. Bengal.

Tradeseantia, Linn.

794. T. discolor, L’Herit.-Purple-leaved Boat Plant; growing
in gardens on the high land. Blowers and seeds. Bot. Mag. 119A
— Hab. S. America.

795. T. sp. ? A small Blue-flowered trailing Plant, growing as
a weed in the neighbourhood of The Hermitage, on the high land.

118. CyperacE2E [Sedge Family ).

Carex, Linn.

796. *0. prsealta, Boott. ; C. pedmculata, Willd.— This now
somewhat scarce, but undoubtedly native plant, known as The
Diana’s Peak Grass, attains a height of two to three feet, and grows
in small tufts amongst the Cabbage-trees, Ferns, and indigenous
vegetation along the high central ridge from Diana’s Peak to
High Peak. Alt. 5 to 5 -4. Flowers in June. — Plate 53.

Plate 53.

/

YinceatBrooisDay &Soabj.

A-’Mellis- dd:.lKnt£h,iidi

CAREX ? R /E A LTA

L Reeve London.

BOTANY.

343

Cyperus, Linn.

797. C. polystacliyus, Rottb. — A small Yellow-headed Grass ;
grows wild in damp localities, and is common. — Hab. Very widely
distributed.

798. C. sp.?— A Grass found growing in the stream at the
lower part of Lemon Valley; very rare.

799. C. rotunclus, Linn.— A rusli-like Grass, growing wherever
there is water in the neighbourhood of Ladder Hill, &c., on the hot
low land. It attains a height of fifteen inches, and has a large
brown tufty head. C. — Hab. Widely dispersed.

800. C. sp. ? — A large-headed reddish-brown Grass, wild and
common where there is water or moisture.

801. C. sp. ? — A smaller species, with a green head, wild and
very common generally.

802. C. sp. ? — A very large, thick, red-headed Water-grass,
growing wild in the stream at the Hermitage, &c. Alt. 3'2.

803. C. mucronatus, Eottb. — A sort of Rush, growing wild
on the face of Horse Point, but is rare. C. alt. 1*5. — Hab. Widely
dispersed.

804. C. lierbicavus, Kth. — Nut-grass; grows wild and is
common about gardens in Jamestown, and so abundant as to be
quite a pest to the gardener. C. — Hab. S. Africa.

805. *F. textilis, Roxb. — The Thatching Rush of the Islanders ;
perhaps the most useful of the native plants, as it makes an
excellent covering for roofs of cottages, and is so used. The
Africans make a rough kind of basket from it. It grows abundantly
on the semi-barren outskirts of the Island, C. and M., at alts, from
•2 to 3, and at Peak Hill, Man and Horse, and Horse-pasture. It is
without doubt indigenous to St. Helena.

Fimbristylis, Vahl.

Isolepis, E. Br.

80G. I. Holoschaenus, E. & S. — Hab.
Europe, N. Africa, &c.

Species of sedge-grass
from damp situa-
tions.

807. I.isp.?

808. I. sp. ?

809. I. sp. ?

344

ST. HELENA.

810. I. prolifera, It. Br. — Common Water-rush, which in great
abundance covers all the streams and moist parts of the Island. — •
Hab. Australia, &c.

811. I. sp. P — A small rush-like Grass, growing in the Island,
and previously gathered by Drs. Burchell, Hooker, and others, but
not identified.

Ivyllingia, Linn.

812. K. monocephala, Linn. — A one-headed Grass, growing
wild and abundantly in damp fields, in ravines, streams of water, &c.,
being more especially confined to the high land. It grows to a
height of eight or nine inches, and is easily recognised by its peculiar
perfume and taste, not unlike those of castor-oil. — Hab. E. Indies.

Mariscus, Yahl.

813. M. umbellatus, Yahl. — Small star-flowered Grass ; very
common and wild about the roadsides and edges of streams all
over the high land. — Hab. E. Indies.

Trichelostylis, Less.

814. T. sp. ? — A small grass, growing commonly about the
neighbourhood of Thompson’s Hill. M.

119. Graminace,® [Grass Family).

Ehrharta, Linn.

815. E. panieea, Sm. — A Grass, which grows wild and is com-
mon along roadside banks, on the high land near Terrace Knoll, &c. —
Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

Coix, Linn.

816. C. Lacliryma, Linn. — Job’s Tears; wild and common in
the ravines on the lowland in James’s Yalley, Lemon Valley, &c.
M. Alt. '4 to 1'2. The seeds are gathered, strung together, and
otherwise worked into necklaces, mats, baskets, &c. Bot. Mag. 2479.
— Hab. E. Indies.

Zea, Linn.

817. Z. mays, Linn. — Indian Corn; cultivated commonly on
farms and in gardens. M. Alt. 3'8 to 2. The corn is ground into

BOTANY.

345

meal, but not extensively used, the imported rice being preferred as
food. — Hab. America.

Alopecurus, Linn.

818. A. paniculatus, Boxb. — Lox-tail Grass ; mentioned by
Boxburgh as growing in the Island. M.

Phalaris, Linn.

819. P. minor, Betz. — A corn-like Grass, very similar to
Canary Grass ; grows wild and is common about bayfields, &c., on
the high land.

820. P. canariensis, Linn. — Canary-seed grass ; grows in and
about gardens, and those places where most probably the seed has
fallen from bird-cages. Bather rare. — Hab. Mediterranean region.

Paspalum, Linn.

821. P. scrobiculatum, Linn. — Cow Grass; one of the most
abundant grasses on the high land, where it is very troublesome in
overrunning the bay lands. Being coarse and unfit for pasture
or bay, it is used for thatching ricks, &c. — Hab. E. Indies.

Eriochloa, Ivuntb.

822. E. amiulata, Kth. — A Grass somewhat resembling Cow-

Grass in its seed, but growing in quite a different locality— viz., on
the low land, Ladder Hill Boad, &c. C.— Hab. E. Indies.

Stenotaphrum, Trin.

823. S. americanum, Sclirank.— Commonly called Mat Grass ;
grows wild abundantly all over the upper lands. It is generally
used for lawns, croquet grounds, and borders to flower beds. It
makes a bright but rather coarse green turf. Hab. S. America, &c.

Panicum, Linn.

824. P. sp. ? — A small Grass, not unlike Guinea Grass, growing
generally over the Island, amongst the furze bushes, &c., on the
high land, Terrace Knoll Grass Boad, &c. M.

346

ST. HELENA.

825. P. brizoides, Linn. — A Grass growing in Lemon Valley.
C. — Hab. E. Indies.

826. P. maximum, Jaccp— Commonly called Guinea Grass;
grows wild and abundantly on both high and low lands. It is much,
cultivated, as it affords excellent food for horses and cattle. It
thrives best in the dry hot summer weather, and attains a height
of four feet or more. 0. and M. — Hab. E. Indies.

827. P. fluitans, Retz. — A common Grass, found in and about
the ditches near Half-tree Hollow. — Hab. E. Indies.

828. P. ciliare, Retz. — A Grass mentioned by Roxburgh as
growing in the Island. — Hab. E. Indies.

829. P. aeg-yptiacum, Willd. — Ditto. — Hab. Egypt.

830. P. molle, Willd. — Scotch Grass ; according to Roxburgh
growing in the Island.

831. P. sp. ? — Cape Grass ; wild and very common, and in some
localities on the high land covering whole fields.

Pennisetum, Rich.

832. P. sp. ?— Pox-tail Grass ; common in Fisher’s Valley, &c.

Setaria, Beauv.

833. S. setosa, Beauv. — Grass growing on Barnes’ Road amongst
the prickly-pear bushes. M. — Hab. W. Indies.

834. S. verticillata, Beauv. — Love Grass ; wild and common
about the low rocky land in Jamestown, Ladder Hill, &c. C. — Hab.
Widely distributed in warm countries.

835. S. italica, Beauv. — Bermuda Grass ; recently introduced
and planted at Oaklands. — Hab. S. Europe, &c.

836. S. viridis, Beauv., var. — Purple Grass ; growing at Crack
Plain, &c. M. Rather rare. — Hab. Widely distributed.

Gymnothrix, Beauv.

837. G. caudata, Schrad. — Cat’s-tail Grass ; wild and very com-
mon generally on both the high and low lands. It grows to a
height of five or six feet, and is used for thatching cottage roofs and
hay ricks. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope.

BOTANY.

347

Agrostis, Linn.

838. A. lenta, Ait. — Forked Bent Grass ; mentioned by Box-
burgh as growing in the Island.

839. A. purpurescens, Boxb. — Purple Bent Grass ; mentioned
by Boxburgh as growing in the Island.

Polypogon, Desf.

840. P. littoralis, Sm. — A Grass with a flowTer-stalk like a
small fox-tail ; grows in the neighbourhood of brackish springs on
the rocky land. C. Alt. 2. Wild and common.

Cynodon, Bich.

841. *C. Dactylon, Pers. ; Panicum Dactylon. — Wire Grass;
covers much of the outskirts and is perhaps the most abundant grass
in the Island. C., M., and H. L. Alt. 1 to 4. Doubtless indi-
genous to St. Helena, as well as other places, and widely distributed.

Chloris, Swartz.

842. C. eompressa, Nees. — Grass growing at the head of James’
Valley. M. — Hab. S. America.

Leptochloa, Beauv.

843. L. arabica, Kth.— A small low Grass with purple flower-
heads ; very common about Maldivia Gardens, &c. on the low land.
C. Alt. -8.— Hab. W. Asia.

Eleusine, Gsertn.

844. E. indica, Gsertn. — A short Grass ; grows wild and is very
common in gardens, &c., chiefly in Jamestown, and on the low land.
It somewhat resembles a large Wire Grass. C. — Hab. E. Indies.

845. E. coracana, Gsertn. — A Grass common about Jamestown,
&c. C. — Hab. E. Indies.

846. E. calycina, Boxb.— A Grass mentioned by Boxburgh as
growing in the Island.

348

ST. SELENA ,

A vena, Linn.

847. A. sativa, Linn. — Oaten forage is produced on the high
land, alt. 2-4 to 4, in considerable quantities, and is much used for
feeding horses. — Native country unknown.

848. A. fatua, Linn. — Wild Oats ; grows wild and is common
amongst the roadside hedges, hayfields, &c., on the high land. — Hab.
Europe, N. Africa, and W. Asia.

Anthoxanthum, Linn.

849. A. odoratum, Linn. — The common Hay Grass is wild and
very common, forming much of the pasture and haylands in the
high interior central portion of the Island. Alt. 2'4 to 5 '4. The
haymaking season is generally from November to January. — Hab.
Europe, Asia, &c.

Triodia, R. Br.

850. T. decumbens, Beauv. — A Grass wild and common in the
hayfields on the high land. — Hah. England.

Poa, Linn.

851. P. annua, Linn. — This well-known small species of Grass
grows wild most abundantly over the high land, in hayfields,
gardens, roadsides, &c. — Hab. Europe, temp. Asia, &c.

852. P. annua, Linn. var. — One of the most abundant Hay
Grasses on the high land, where, in the fields, it is easily distin-
guished by its trailing stems and purplish flower-heads.

853. P. japonica, Willd. — Meadow Grass ; mentioned by Rox-
burgh as growing in the Island.

854. P. laxa, Willd. — Another kind of Meadow Grass; men-
tioned by Roxburgh as growing in the Island. — Hab. Germany.

855. P. pratensis, Linn. — Erect purple Grass; mentioned by
Roxburgh as growing in hayfields. — Hab. Temp, regions.

Aeluropus, Trin.

856. A. Isevis, Trin. — A small straggling grass; wild and very
common about the semi-barren parts at mid-altitude, Rock Cot-
tage, &c. — Hab. S. of Europe, &c.

BOTANY.

349

Eragrostis, Beauv.

857. E. poseoides, Beauv. — A small creeping Grass ; wild and
very common on the low rocky land about Jamestown, Ladder
Hill, &c. Grows to a height of live to ten inches, having a some-
what slate-coloured flower-head. C. — Hah. Tropics.

858. E. sp. ? — A Grass growing wild, in tufts, on the rocky
barren outskirts of the Island, at Lot’s Wife Wood, High Hill, the
summit of Lot, and generally on the high precipitous south coast.
The leaves are gathered, chopped up, and used as a substitute for
hair in lime-mortar. C.

859. E. megastachya, Link. — A short, shrubby, blue-coloured
Grass, growing wild on the rocky barren outskirts of the Island,
Ladder Hill, Lot’s Wife, &c. C. Alt. 1*2 to 2.— Hab. Tropics.

Briza, Linn.

860. B. maxima, Linn.— Large quaking Grass; grows wild in
some few localities on the high land, — Hab. S. of Europe.

861. B. media, Linn. — Small quaking Grass ; wild in some of
the meadows and orchards on the high land, and more abundant
than the other species. — Hab. Europe, W. Asia, &c.

Festuca, Linn.

862. F. bromoides, Sm. — One of the most abundant small
Grasses in and about gardens, roadsides, &c., on the high land,
sometimes called Love-grass. — Hab. Britain, &c.

Bromus, Linn.

863. B. vestitus, Sclirad.— One of the most abundant Grasses ;
growing wild on the upper land, where at Longwood and other
places there are whole fields of it. It affoids a most excellent
substitute for oaten forage. — Hab. S. Africa.

864. B. asper, Murr. — A smaller and more delicate species,
common and growing wild only on the low locky land about Half-
tree Hollow, and similar altitudes. 0. and M. — Hab. Europe,
Siberia, &c.

Arundinaria, Rich.

865. A. nana, Roxb. — A small species or Dwarf Bamboo;

350

ST. HELENA.

grows wild in clumps in some gardens, especially at Maldivia, but is
rather rare. Alt. ’8. C. to H. L.

Bambusa, Schreb.

866. B. arundinacea, Betz. — The Bamboo; thrives well and
attains a height of a hundred feet. It grows in the ravines, where
there is water, side by side with the oak and other European plants.
Alt. 1 to 4. Although abundant, it is little used except for fencing,
troughs for conveying water, fishing-rods, and walking-sticks.
Altogether there are four varieties of Bamboo growing in the Island —
viz., the large thick or He Bamboo, which is most abundant, the
slender or She, the tall straight upright, and the Dwarf Bamboo. —
Hab. India and China.

Lolium, Linn.

L, temulentum, Linn. — A tall stiff upright Grass, common
and growing wild in the neighbourhood of cornfields on the high
land. — Hab. Europe, N. Africa, &c.

Triticum, Linn.

868. T. sestivum, Linn, j Wheat ; grown in the Island, though

869. T. hybernum, Linn, j now little cultivated; its culti-
vation has been extensively tried at Longwood, and it has been
found not to succeed because of the moisture contained in the
atmosphere which causes the ear to mildew. — Native country not
known with certainty.

870. T, caninum, Huds.

Hordeum, Linn.

871. H. vulgare, Linn.

872. H. distichon, Linn.

873. H. hexastichon, Linn.

Barley ; a good deal produced on
the high land, and thrashed out
for feeding horses, but, as it can
be imported from the Cape of Good Hope at less cost, its cultivation
is much less than it might be. — Native country uncertain.

874. H. jubatum, Linn. — A Grass growing on the hio-h land

Hab. N. America. b

875. H. murinum, Linn. — A Grass common on the somewhat
barren parts in the neighbourhood of Half-tree Hollow.— Hab.
Europe, &c.

BOTANY.

351

Saccharum, Linn.

876. S. officinarum, Linn. — Sugar Cane ; two varieties, White
stem and Med stem, grow very well in the valleys low down and might
be cultivated, hut scarcely any attempt appears to have been made
to turn this plant to account since its introduction in 1678, further
than selling the stems in the streets for the native children to chew.
— Hah. India.

Sorghum, Pers.

877. S. vulgare, Pers. — Millet ; cultivated in gardens, and grows
well; used as food for horses, and the ripe seeds for birds. — Hab.
E.Indies.

878. S. halepense, Pers. — A tall Grass, somewhat resembling
Guinea grass, found in Maldivia gardens, but rare. C. — Hab. Syria.

Anatherum, Beauv.

879. A. muricatum, Beauv. — Khus-khus Grass; grows well
both on the low and high lands, at C. and M., alt. 8, in the neigh-
bourhood of streams of water. To a small extent the roots are dug,
and, when dried, used to perfume clothes by being placed amongst
them ; but its use for the perfume yielded by its roots is not so ex-
tensive as it is in the East Indies.

Andropogon, Linn.

880. A. schcenanthus, Linn. — Lemon Grass, so named from its
perfume resembling that of lemons ; grown in gardens, and used by
the native people as a substitute for tea. Hab. E. Indies.

CLASS III.— CRYPTOGAMS.

120. Filices {Fern Family).

Adiantum, Linn.

881. A. sethiopicum, Linn. var. — Maiden-hair Fern ; introduced
from the Cape in 1867. Much cultivated in gardens on the high
land, and, in some places, self-sown plants already appear. Hk. and
B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 128. — Hab. Cape of Good Hope, and very
wide range.

352

ST. HELENA.

Acrostichum, Linn.

882. *A. dimorphum, Hk. & Gr. — A small Fern growing
amongst the grass along both sides of the central ridge, at alt. 4 to
5 4, above Swampy Gut, &c. ; somewhat rare. Hk. and B. Syn.
Fil. 1868, p. 406.

883. *A. bifurcatum, Hk. ; Micro staplujla bi/urcata, J. Smith. —
A very beautiful little Fern, thickly covering the wet banks along
the sides of the roads over Sandy Bay ridge, &c. ; very abundant.
Alt. about 4. Hk. and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 413.

884. *A. subdiaphanum, Hk. & Gr. ; A. lanceolatum, Roxb. ;
Aconiopteris nervosa, Smith. — A pretty little Fern, with fronds
about six to ten inches long, found somewhat rarely growing para-
sitically on the stems of Dichonia arborescens on the high central
ridge, Diana’s Peak, &c. Alt. 5-4. Seeds in June. Hk. & B.
Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 416. — Hab. Also Bourbon.

885. *A. conforme, Sw. — A Fern of somewhat rare occurrence,
with habit and locality similar to A. subdiaphanum. Hk. & B.
Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 401. — Hab. Also Mexico to Chili, Sandwich
Islands, Cape of Good Hope, Tristan D’Acunha, &c.

Asplenium, Linn.

886. *A. erectum, Bory. ; A. tenellum, Smith and Roxb. ; A. recli-
natum, Moore and Houlst. ; A. radicans, Prit. Cat. S. H. F. — A delicate
little Fern, easily recognised by its habit of rooting from the ends
of the fronds ; very common on the central ridge and in shady
ravines lower down in the neighbourhood of Joho’s Hole, Powell’s
Spring, &c. Grows at alts. 2 '8 to 5. Hk. & B. Syn. Fil. 1868,
p. 202. — Hab. Also Cape of Good Hope, Tristan D’Acunha, Ascen-
sion, and universally distributed throughout the Tropics.

887. *A. furcatum, Thunb. ; A. preemorsmn, Sw. — Grows in
rocky crevices, and on old walls at alts. 3 to 3-8, near St. Paul’s
Church, Terrace Knoll, &c. Hk. &B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 215. — Hab.
Also Tropical America, West Indies, Cape of Good Hope, Aus-
tralia, &c.

888. *A. compressnm, Sw. ; A. feecundum, Kunz. — A very hand-
some Fern, found abundantly amongst the native vegetation on the
high central ridge, growing in the wettest parts. The fronds are
three to five feet in length, and are easily recognised by the young

BOTANY.

353

plants growing from tlie surface of tlie leaflets. Alt. 4 to 5-4. Hk.
and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 207. — Hab. Also Cape of Good Hope,
Bourbon, Mauritius, Madagascar, &c.

889. *A platybasis, Kunze. — A Fern with frondsaabout twelve
to eighteen inches in length, though rare, found growing on the
grassy banks on the north side of the central ridge near Taylor’s
Flat. Alt. 4. Hk. & B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 206.

Cheilanthes, Swartz.

S90. *C. multifida, Swartz. — Tlie most beautiful and delicate
little Fern, perhaps, of all found in the Island. Its habits of growth
and locality resemble closely those of Gymnogramme Haughtoni, being
usually found amongst rocks and stones on the somewhat barren and
exposed portions of the Island, at High Knoll, High Hill, Bed
Hill, Thompson’s Hill, the Friar Bock, Sandy Bay, &c. The
fronds are from three to twelve inches in length. The plant generally
dies away after the rainy season is over. Hk. & B. Syu. Fil. 1868,
p. 138. — Hab. Also Cape of Good Hope and Java.

Dicksonia, L’PIerit.

891. *D. arborescens, L’Herit. ; D. auricoma, Spreng. ; 1).
Integra, Sw. ; Balantiim auricomum, Kaulf. ; B. arborescens , Hk. —
The Tree Fern of the Island ; growing on the central ridge at
Diana’s and High Peaks, at alt. from 4’8 to 5 '4 ; its upright stem
varies from six to eight inches in diameter, and from four to ten feet
in height, more or less covered with long bright golden-brown hair,
intermixed with parasitical plants, and topped with a splendid crown
of bright green fronds, much resembling a miniature palm-tree;
it is exceedingly picturesque amongst the other Ferns and native
vegetation.

Dr. Boxburglr describes the size of this fern as twenty feet or more
in height, and of various thicknesses up to that of a man’s body, with
fronds (including the stipes) from four to ten feet long. As it does
not now attain that size, it may be considered that, like other
indigenous plants, it is degenerating, and gradually dying out.
Hk. & B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 50— Plate 54.

A A

354

ST. HELENA.

Diplazium, Sw.

892. *D. nigro-paleaceum, Kunze ; D. arborescent, J. Sm. ;
Asplenium arborescens, Metten. — A beautiful Fern, growing some-
what plentifully on both sides of the central ridge, and scarcely
found below alt. 2- 8. Its graceful fronds, six or seven feet long,
having the lower part of the stalk thickly coated with black hair,
are easily recognised amongst the Blackberry-bushes, along the road-
sides on the high land. It is exceedingly difficult to preserve in a
dry state, as it fades almost immediately it is gathered, and turns
black. Hk. & B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 240.

Gymnogramme, Desv.

893. *G. Haughtoni, Hk. — A beautiful little Fern, commonly
called the Barn Fern, from the circumstance of its having been first
discovered on the Barn rock. It dies away in the hot weather, and
soon after the winter rains in June or July makes its appearance
again, growing on the cliffs of the basaltic rocks on the barren out-
skirts of the Island, where it lias little if any soil ; but exposed to
the wind and rain, and sheltered from the scorching sun, its roots
retain sufficient moisture, while heat is conducted to them by the
rock. It is somewhat rare, mostly confined to the North and
North-Eastern parts of the Island, such as the Barn, Bupert’s Hill,
Ladder Hill, High Knoll, and High Point, its alt. varying from
1-2 to 3-2. Hk. & B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 381.

Hymenophyllum, Smith.

894. *H. capillaceum, Boxb. — A beautiful little slender Fern,
found on the stems and branches of the trees and larger ferns at
Diana’s Peak, where it appears to thrive well in the moist atmo-
sphere of that region. Hk. and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 58. — Parasitic
on Tree-ferns and indigenous Cabbage-trees. Alt. 5 ’4.

Monogramme, Schk.

895. *M. graminoides, Baker; M. furcata, Desv. — This Fern
has been included with those found at St. Helena.

Plate 54.

BOTANY.

355

Neplirodium, Eicli.

89G. cognatum, Hk. — One of the Ferns of the highest land,

where, amidst clumps of native vegetation, on the Central Ridge and
Diana’s Peak, it is found growing. The fronds are about two feet
in length. Alt. 4'S. Hk. and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 279.

897. *N. Napoleonis, Bory; lastrea Napoleonis, J. Smith; Aspi-
dium Napoleonis, Bory. — A smaller plant than N cognatum, and moie
abundant on the central ridge near Diana’s Peak. Fronds about
twelve inches in length. It abounds on the banks of Napoleon s
Cabbage-tree Road and on the road to Newfoundland, at alt. 5.

Hk. and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 279.

898. patens, Desv. — Fronds about two feet in length, but

with leaflets much more finely divided than either of the other spe-
cies. It grows also at a lower alt., ranging from 2 up to 5, and
is found on the sides of mountain streams in the neighbourhood
of Oakbank, Powel’s Spring, Willow Cottage, &c. Hk. and B. Syn.
Fil. 1868, p. 262. — Hab. Also Florida and Texas, to Rio and Chili,
Demerara, Polynesia, Japan, &c.

Ophioglossum, Linn.

899. *0. vulgatum,var., Linn.-This little Adder’s-tongue comes
up thickly over the barren, -rocky outskirts of the Island, principally
on the northern side, after the summer or winter rains ; but it soon
dies away when the hot weather succeeds. Alt. 1'2 to 2. Hk. an
Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 446.— Hab. Also Lapland to Japan, the Himalayas,

Ascension, &c.

Polypodium, Linn.

900. *P. marginellum, Sw. ; Grammitis marginella, Smith and
Roxb. — A delicate little Fern, growing parasitically on the Tree-fern,
and other indigenous plants, on the central ridge. Alt. 5 4. n i s
locality it is closely associated with Hgmenophjllum cajnBaeem. Hk.
and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 321.— Hab. Also Cape Verdes, West Indies,

and Guatemala to Guiana and Peru.

901. *P. Dianae, Hk. ; P. nolle, Roxb. — A very common road-
side Fern along Sandy Bay ridge, and the high land, at alt. 4 to o ;
found equally on the north and south sides of the centra n bc.

356

ST. HELENA.

JIie ^0Un? undeveloped fronds of this plant yield a remarkable per-
fume, much resembling that of a ripe peach. Hk. and B Syn Fil
1S68, p. 308.— Plate 55.

902. P. lanceolatum, Linn. ; P. lepidotum, Willd. ; P. macro-
carpum, Kaulf.; Pleopeltis lepidota, and P. kelence, Presh— A small
Fern, with fronds about six inches long, common as a parasite on the
stems of Tree-ferns, Dichonia arborea, and native trees, on the
central ridge, and at Diana’s Peak. Alt. 5-4. Hk. and B. Syn. Fil.
1SG8 p. 356.— Hab. Also West Indies, Panama to Brazil, Cape of
Dood Hope, Bourbon, Sandwich Islands, Heilgherries, &c.

903. P. rugulosum, Labill. ; Phegopteris rugulosa, J. Smith. —
One of the most abundant, and at the same time most beautiful of
the Island Ferns; grows abundantly along the roadsides, at alt.
3 to 4, m the neighbourhood of Bevan’s, Joho’s Hole, Well’s, Sandy
Bay ridge, &c. The fronds reach a height of about two feet.’

Pteris, Linn.

904. lP. flabellata, Tliunb. — The most common roadside Fern
in the Island ; found also abundantly in the ravines on the upper
lands, where it selects a rocky soil. Scarcely occurs above an alt.

w4n>°r Ijd°Ur 3' Verj Plentiful about such places as Joho’s Hole,
Well s, Oakbank, Bevan’s, &c. Even occurring on the summit of
Lot, and the eastern side of High Knoll. Hk. and B. Syn. Fil.
1868, p 161.— Hab. Also Cape of Good Hope, Bourbon, Abyssinia,
I ernando-Po, Ascension Island, &c.

905. " P. paleacea, Koxb.— A less abundant species, found at a
higher alt., of about 5, where its remarkable fan-like fronds min He
with the Dicksonia and Diplazium on the mountain spurs, and in the
ravines north and south of the central ridge, near Diana’s and High
Peaks. Hk. and B. Syn. Fil. 1868, p. 159.

121. LrcoroDiACE.-E ( Club-moss Family).

Lycopodium, Linn.

906. *L. cernuum, Sw.— Commonly known as Buck’s Horn •
growing plentifully on the grassy banks on the high central rido-e
near Diana’s Peak, &c. Alt. 4 to 5'4. The plant attains a height
of twelve to eighteen inches.

Plale 55.

POLYPODIUM D1AN£.

L Reeve & C°i.onclor.

BOTANY.

357

907. *L. taxifolium, Sw. ; L. axiUare, Roxb. — A plant much
resembling a sprig of Norfolk Island Pine, found, very rarely, grow-
ing amongst the grass on the highest land at Diana’s Peak, alt. 5‘4,
where it attains a height of four to six inches.

122. Musci {Mosses).

The following account has been kindly prepared by Mr. Mitten,
who has also illustrated four species, Plate 56.

Those species marked 4 have not been found at St. Helena, hut only at Tristan d Acunha.
Those species marked $s have been found at Ascension, and not at St. Helena.

Dicranella, C. Mueller, Syn. i. p. 430.

Sect. 1. Campylopodium, Angstrcemia. — Sect. 2. Campylopodium,
C. Mueller, Syn. i. p. 429.

908. *D. proscripta, Hornschuch, in Hor. Phys. Berol. p. 60 ;
{Didymodon), Leptotrichum Hornschuchii, C. Mueller, l.c. p. 450. —
Gathered by all collectors, and, abundantly in fruit, by Dr. Seemann.

This species has been well compared by O. Mueller with the
European Leptotrichum jlexicaule, which, in the aspect of its foliage,
it much resembles ; but the quadrate base of the leaves, from which
the subulate portion is suddenly contracted, is very different.

A considerable number of species, nearly all of a smaller size
than the present one, is found in various parts of the world. One
species is known from the Cape of Good Hope, several from India
and the Islands of the Indian Archipelago, and a few from Hew
Zealand ; but none have yet been observed in Europe or H.
America, unless the minute Siligeria recurvcda inhabiting these
countries should be referred to the same group. One species has been
described by Dr. Hampe, from the Andes of Bogota ; but none has
been as yet discovered in the remainder of that immense continent.
All the species as yet ascribed to this group, are closely similar in
the form of the capsule, which is that common to the Dicranella! , of
an oval form, and when passing maturity more or less evidently
ribbed ; so that it would appear that, although the species are im-
mediately distinguishable by the curvature of the seta, there is no
other essential point of difference.

909. $D. Ascensionica, sp. nov. — Caulis gracilis elongatus cjes-

358

ST. HELENA.

pitosus, Folia a basi late lanceolata, subulata patentia, apicem versus
canaliculata, nervo crassiuseulo a lamina vix distincto, subintegerrima,
cellulis inferioribus oblongis ad margin um laminis quadratis, peri-
cluetialia majora, a basi late obovata vaginantia laxius areolata nervo
longe excurrente anguste subulata. Theca in pedunculo brevi cras-
siusculo rubro curvato ovalis, sequalis, operculo subulato. Peristo-
mium e dentibus brevissimis rudimentariis, annulo lato. — Hab.
Ascension, Dr. Seemann.

Very similar to I). pro-script a, but with its leaves shorter, and
without the erect clasping base.

Campylopus, Bridel. i. p. 468.

910. *C. introflexus, Hedwig, Sp. Muse., t. 20 ( Bicranum ).—
Burchell, Melliss.

Specimens all without fruit. A dark-green Moss, from damp
roadside banks on the high land.

911. *C. Helenicus, C. Mueller, Syn. ii. p. 599.— Burchell,
Lesson, Melliss. Gathered also by Dr, Hooker, and by Capt.
Haughton.

this species appears to be commonly fertile j in general appear-
ance it has some resemblance to the European C.flexuoms, but all
the specimens are uniform in being of pale ocliraceous brown, the
leaves quite without gloss, having at their bases the alar cells very
distinct and brown. Compared by C. Mueller with C. Zottmgerianus,
from Java ; it is also allied to some Brazilian species.

912. C. scabricuspis, sp. nov. — Caespitosus, caulis erectus pa-
rum divisus. Folia sicca appressa, apicalia in gemmam acutam imbri-
cata, humida omnia erecto-patentia, iuferne nervo lato folii latitu-
dinis ■§- occupante, lamina utrinque tenera cellulis angustis elongatis
basalibus parum latioribus, alaribus inconspicuis, areolata, supra folii
medium a nervo vix distincta, margin e supra folii medium involuto
apice tantum parce denticulato, nervo pallido dorso apicem versus
denticulis pluribus scabro ; folia perichsetialia basi lata ovalia lamina
laxioia, apicibus magis denticulatis — Melliss. A dark-green Moss,
from damp roadside banks on high land.

Stems from one to one and a half inches high, in general appear-
ance and colour similar to C. Helenicus, but with the apices of the
stems in the dry state thicker. This species appears to belong to

BOTANY.

359

that group of the Campylopodes in which the nerve is very wide, hut
soft and somewhat spongy in substance, and rarely accompanied by
distinct alar cells, the fruit being equal -sided, and the calyptra some-
times without the fringe at its base. Species similar to the present
are found wherever the genus is represented.

913. fC. vesticaulis, sp. nov. — Compacte cjespitosus, caulis
elatusparum divisus fere ad apicem usque radicellis rubiginosis obtec-
tus. Folia erecto-patentia, sicca appressa apicalia in gemmam acutam
imbricata, lanceolata canaliculata sensim subulato-angustata, margi-
nibus conniventibus apice serrulatis, nervo tenui interne folii lati-
tudinis | occupante, fere ad apicem a pagina distincto, lamina cellulis
oblongis, inferioribus pellucidis, alaribus propriis nullis, sensim in
minutis transeuntibus areolata, perichsetialia a basi latiora oblonga
convoluta, nervo angusto piliformi attenuato. Theca in pedunculo
brevi curvato ovalis leptoderma scqualis, sicca valde contracta sub-
cylindracea plicata, interdum subarcuata, calyptra basi paucifimbriata.
— Ilab. Tristan d’Acunha, Milne and M/Cfillivray. Stems from one
to four inches high, below thickly covered with ferruginous root-
lets, above at the growing points, the foliage is pale yellowish-
brown.

Ceratodon, Bridel.

914. *C. purpureus, Linn. (Mnium). — From damp roadside
banks on high land, Burchell, Melliss. All the specimens barren.—
Tristan d’Acunha, M'Gillivray, with perfect fruit.

Glypliomitrium, Bridel. i. p. 367.

915 *G. Helenicum, sp. nov. — Pulvinatum liumile. Folia erecto
patentia stricta sublanceolata apice acuta cucullata integerrima, nervo
crassiusculo percurrente carinata, cellulis superioribus obscuris
basalibus pallidis teneris angustis areolata, perichsetialia parum
longiora basi pellucidiora. Theca in pedunculo pallido ovalis, opeiculo
subulato. — Oapt,. Haughton.

Very poor and incomplete specimens have only been seen of this
species, without calyptra or peristome. It is smaller than G. cuculla-
iifolium, found in S. Africa, and with narrower, less cucullate
leaves. One or two stems of some Grimmia occurred amongst the
specimens of this moss, but quite insufficient to give any idea of
what species they may represent.

360

ST. HELENA.

Tortula, Hedwig Fund. ii. p. 92.

910. T. crispula, Bruch. ( Tricliost.omum ). Brjol. Europ. ii. t.
173. Melliss.— A pretty little Moss from old walls and stones
on the high land, Specimens complete, with fruit, presenting
nothing different from the states common on the coasts of Britain.—
Probably indigenous to St. Helena.

917. T. caespitosa, Schwsegrichen, t. 31.— Melliss; from old
stone walls on the high land. Probably indigenous to St. Helena,

. Tllls Moss> so plentiful in Brazil and at the Cape of Good Hope,
might well have been expected to be present in St. Helena.

Macromitrium, Bridel. i. p. 306.

Sect. 1 . Macrocoma, Hornsimuch, C. Mueller, Synopsis, i.

p. 720.

918. *M. microphyllum, Hooker et Greville (Orthotrichum) in
Brewster’s Edinburgh Journal , i. p. 121, t. 6. — Melliss.

Originally described from Burcliell’s specimens gathered at the
Cape of Good Hope.

Sect. 2. Goniostoma, Mitt. Journ. Linn. Soc. v. xii.

919. *M. urceolatum, Hooker, Musci Exotici, t. 124 (Ortho-
trichum).— Menzies, Melliss.

920. *M. Seemanni, Mitten Musci Indite Orient. Journ. Linn.
Soc. L— Dr. Seemann, Burchell, Melliss. Covering thickly the
stems and branches of the native Cabbage-trees on Diana’s Peak
alt. 5 -4.

It is most probable that the specimen of this species from
Dickson, marked as from the East Indies, and now preserved in the
Kew Herbarium, was really gathered in St. Helena. Dickson
obtained specimens of Mosses from the voyages of trading vessels,
and localities were then not so precisely mentioned, so that
any gathered during the voyage were liable to he reported as
if gathered in the country the vessel had returned from ; and there
are some of the species which Dickson in this manner procured, of
which the native country has yet to be discovered.

921. fM. fimbriatum, Beauvais (Orthotrichum) Schwaegr. t. 140.
— Hab. Tristan d’Acunha, Aubert du Petit-Thouars.

BOTANY.

301

An original specimen in Dr. Arnott’s Herbarium, excepting that
the leaves have not the apiculus as depicted, in other respects, par-
ticularly as to the perichsetial leaves being as long as the cauline,
corresponds fairly with the figure above quoted, and in this last
character differs from several Mauritian species which closely
resemble it.

Physcomitrium, Bridel. i. p. 97.

922. *P. flexifolium, sp. nov. — Laxe crospitosum. Caulis elon-
gatus. Folia patula squarrosaque obovato-oblonga acuta apice curvato,
nervo in apiculo brevi percurrente, margine apicem versus subser-
rulato, limbo e serie unico cellularum elongatarum composito cir-
cumdata, cellulis oblongis pellucidis areolata; theca in pedunculo
gracili operculo convexo. — Burchell, No. 209, marked Gymnostomum
flexifolium.

Stems from half an inch to one inch in height. Leaves on the
specimens, which are old, of a brown colour, not much altered when
dry. Seta three lines long. Capsule small for the robust appear-
ance of the plants.

This species is curious in the elongated stems, equally clothed
with leaves from base to summit.

It is remarkable that no Funaria should have been gathered in
St. Helena.

Bartramia, Hedwig.

Sect. Philonotis, Bridel. ii. p. 15.

923. *B. Heleniana, sp. nov.? — Csespitosa radiculis intertexta.
Folia imbricata ovato-lanceolata, nervo percursa, margine serrulata,
cellulis oblongis areolata. — Burchell, specimen marked Bartramia
Heleniana, Burchell.

If this specimen had not been marked by Burchell, it would have
been perhaps better to have passed it over as a state of B . fonlana
until more could have been learnt respecting it. In size it appears
to be a little smaller than the common states of B. fonlana.

Specimens of another species were gathered by Mr. Melliss, in-
dicating a small species with plumose foliage, on stems less than half
an inch high, but they are insufficient to afford any character.

Sect. Breutelia, Schimp.

924. fB. tenuifolia, sp. nov. — Crespitosa. Caulis parum radicu-

362

ST. HELENA.

losus varie modo ramosus. Folia a basi brevi erecta, ad insertionem
angustata, subito recurva patentia stricta subsecundave, sensim longe
angustata, planiuscula, anguste striata, nervo angusto excurrente,
margine minute serrulata, cellulis angustis elongatis papillis minutis,
ad margines partis folii erectis oblongis latis pellucidis in seriebus
4— G dispositis areolata. — Hab. Tristan d’Acunha ; plentiful on banks,
but sterile, Milne.

Stems three inches high, branched dichotomously, subfastigiate or
subpinnate, without or with only very few rootlets here and there.
Foliage straw-coloured, not much altered in drying. Leaves less
than two and a half lines long.

A smaller species than B. giganlea, from Bourbon, with narrower
leaves, having a different areolation.

Bryum, Linn.

925. *B. argenteum, Linn. Sp. Plant. 1586. Melliss.— Earthy
banks on the high land, forming a soft silvery carpet. The speci-
mens belong to the form usually designated as var. j3 lanatim.

Two other species of Bryum exist in St. Helena ; one is near to
S. rigidum, a Brazilian moss, but as only a few leaves have yet been
seen, nothing further can be said respecting it ; the other may be
one of the forms of B. dichotomum, so common in most parts of the
world. Of this a few imperfect barren stems are all that assure the
presence of this or some allied species.

Hookeria, Smith.

Sect. Omaliadelphus, C. Mueller.

926. *H. pallidifolia, sp. nov. — Monoica, laxe ca3spitosa de-
pressa. Caulis subpinnatim divisus. Folia compressa, lateralia patentia
oblongo-lanceolata acuta iutegerrima apice subcrenulatave, parum
concava, plerumque assymetrica, latere uno inflexo complicato, nervis
binis brevibus inconspicuis, cellulis angustis elongatis areolata, peri-
chaetialia erecto patentia, externa ovata in acumen latiusculum sub-
crenulatum educta, interna usque ad apicem vaginulae inserta, late
ovata acuta. Theca in pedunculo rubro Levi ovalis inclinata, operculo
rostrato. Calyptra apice lajvis basi striata? — Hab. Amongst the
grass on the high land ; a bright-green moss. Dr. Hooker, Melliss ;

BOTANY.

363

also in Herb. Turner the specimen marked East Indies, J. D.
(Dickson).

Stems about one inch long, having irregular branches, with the
leaves, a line wide. Eoliage straw-coloured, here aud there tinged
with fulvous brown, shining, very little altered when dry. Seta
half an inch long. Peristome with teeth in which the external
bands are separated below ; the internal peristome is as usual in the
genus.

This moss, in the absence of mature calyptras, can only be
placed doubtfully in the genus ITookeria, to which its affinities seem
to approximate it more closely than to any other. The division of
the external lamina towards the base of the teeth of the peristome
and the insertion of the perichsetial leaves upon the vaginula are
characters commonly observable in the Hookerise. The areolation
of the leaves is far more narrow than in any of the species which
have been placed in the genus Leucomium.

There is a certain resemblance between this moss and the
Hookeria Jissidentioides, Hk. et Wils. Ilk. Icon. Plant, t. 746 A, in
which the nerves of the leaves are however far more distinct and
elongated.

Meiotliecium, Mitt, in Journ. Linn. Soc. 1868.

927. fM. urceolatum, Schwsegr. t. 110 (Pterogonium). — Hab.
Tristan d’Acunha, Aubert du Petit-Thouars.

(Phe figure represents a moss nearly allied to the Indian A 1. mi c> o-
carpum, but there is no mention or representation of a fold m the
middle of the leaf, which in several of the species of this genus may
be easily mistaken for a nerve.

Sematopliyllum, Mitt. Journ. Linn. Soc. 1868.

Sect. Rhaphidorrhynchum, Schimper. Bryol. Europ.

928. *S. Helenicum, sp. nov. — Monoicum. Caulis procumbens
laxe casspitosus rufus. Folia subcompressa vel sursum secunda, laxe
imbricata patentia, ovato-lanceolata integerrima caviuscula, cellulis
angustis alaribus conspicuis fulvis areolata, perichsetialia eiecta lon-
giora acuminata integerrima. Theca in pedunculo rubro breviter
ovalis inclinata inrequalis, operculo magno conico acummato.— On
bark, Melliss. A bright-green moss.

364

ST. HELENA.

This small species resembles in general appearance the South
African S. Irachycarpum, Hampe Icon. Muse. 11, but in the present
the leaves are a little narrower.

929. *S. plumularium, sp. nov. — Monoicum. Caulis gracilis
rufus procumbens. Folia undique aequalia patentia plumosa, lanceo-
lata attermato-acuminata caviuscula integerrima, cellulis angustis
alaiibus distinctis ful vis, areolata perichastialia erecta interna parum
latiora. Theca in pedunculo rubro ovalis inclinata. — On bark,
Melliss.

I he long slender stems with the narrower and plumose foliage
give tins moss a different appearance from the preceding, but it may
be only a form, distinguishable because no intermediate states have
been collected. Very closely allied species, or forms of one widely
spread species, are found in Mauritius.

Pleurozium, Sullivant. Musci of the United States, p. 68.

980. P. splendens, Hedwig [Hypnmi).— Dr. Hooker. Probably
indigenous to St. Helena.

Small fragments only have been seen of this Moss ; they were
gathered, intermixed with the Plagiochila cmisodonta of Dr. Taylor,
dhe species has not been reported from S. America, but it is found
in the Canaries.

Ptychomnion, Hook. f. et Wils.

931. fP. densifolium, Bridel. ii. 514,— Hab. Tristan d’Acunha,
Aubert du Petit-Thouars. Milne.

Hypnum, Dill.

Sect. Argyrodinum, Mitten in Godman’s Hat. Hist, of the Azores.

932. H. purum, Linn. — Probably indigenous to St. Helena
Melliss.

A bright straw-coloured Moss, growing amongst the grass on the
high land at Eock Cottage, &c. Without fruit, but in all respects
similar to the common European state of this species, which in some
particulars differs from any of the numerous sections into which the

Hypnci have been divided, and, at present, has no known very close
ally. J

BOTANY.

365

Sect. Eurynchium, Schimp.

933. H. prselongum, Dillenius. — Melliss, Capt. Haughton.
Probably indigenous to St. Helena.

All the specimens of this Moss are a small depressed form of the
state which has been sometimes called H. Stolcesii, and do not pre-
sent any differences from what may be observed on hedge-banks in
England. The more robust form which is found on stones in rivu-
lets, in mountainous parts of Britain, is also met with in Madeira,
and in the Andes of S. America.

Sect. Brachythecium, Schimp. Bryol. Europ.

934. *H. athrocladum, sp. nov. — Monoicum. Caulis repens ra-
mulis quamplurimis brcvibus assurgentibus dense pinnatim ramosus.
Folia erecto-patentia imbricata, caulina a basi angulis anguste decur-
rentibus subdeltoideo-cordata, subulato-acuminata, subintegerrima,
nervo tenuo vix ad medium folii attingente, ccllulis interioribus ob-
longis ad angulos basalibus rotundo-quadratis areolata ; folia ramea
densius inserta, magis appressa, ovato-lanceolata integerrima, sub-
biplicata, nervo usque ad § folii longitudinis producta, perichsetialia
duplo longiora lanceolato-subulata, apicibus subdenticulatis. Theca
in pedunculo scaberrimo breviter ovalis inclinata inmqualis, ore
obliquo. — Burchell.

A very small Moss, with the habit of the European II. sericeum,
but more rigid, and with a capsule exactly corresponding to that of
the section Brachythecium. V ery little of this was gathered, and only
one capsule seen by Burchell, who marked it Hyjonum athrocladmi , B.

Thuidium, Schimp. Bryol. Europ.

935 -j-T. curvatum, sp. nov. — Caulis ascendens erectusve ramis
brevibus curvatis subsimplicibus pinnatim ramosus, paraphyllis
brevibus paucis obtectus. Folia patentia incurva, a basi cordata subito
in acumen latiusculum sequilongum producta, nervo crassiusculo in
apice evanido carinata, haud plicata, margine inferiore hie illic
recurvo, ob papillarum prominentia aspero superne minute serrulato,
cellulis rotundatis obscuris utrinque papilliferis areolata ; folia ramea
ovato-lanceolata. — ITab. Tristan d Acunha, Milne.

Very closely resembling the New Zealand I fulvastrum, and

360

ST. SELENA.

differing chiefly in the shorter cauline leaves, which are more
papillose, and not plicate.

Fissidens, Hedwig Fund. ii. p. 91.

936. *F. Helenicus, sp. nov.— Monoicus. Caulis gracilis elon-
gatus ramosus. Folia erecto-patentia lineari-lanceolata opaca, nervo
luteo pellucido excurrente, lamina vera usque ad medium producta
limbo crassmsculo luteo pellucido marginata, lamina dorsalis infra
medium laminae verse evanescens lamina apicalisque integerrima, im-
marginata. Pedunculus brevis. Theca oblongo-pyriformis inclinata,
operculo magno subulato. Calyptra angusta subulam operculi tegens,
latere fissa.— Burchell, barren ; with fruit, Capt. Haughton

Stems scarcely an inch high, with the leaves, measuring a line in
width. Leaves two-thirds of a line long, of an mruginose green or
ye owish colour, unaltered in appearance when dry. The seta is
about a line and a half long. The peristome as usual in the genus.

late 06, fa. 1 Plant of the natural size; 2, a leaf with portion
ol the stem ; 3, the capsula with operculum and calyptra • all

937. fF. asplenioides, Swartz.-Hab. Tristan dAcunha, Milne.
Paiien specimens only of this very widely distributed species.

Eustichia, Bride!, ii. 674.

938. tB. longirostris, Brid. l.c.-Hab. Tristan dAcunha, Milne
Speeimens small and barren, but to all appearance identical with

the Andine Moss. The species was originally described from
Bourbon specimens.

Polytrichum, Dill. Linn.

Mi,!e8\tP'-J"“Um; HedwiS — Tristan dAcunha,
Milne Specrmens rather slender, with short setae, but not other-
wise different from European states of the species.

123. Hepatic.® [Liverworts).

The following account has been kindly prepared by Mr. Mitten:—
Plagiochila, Nees ab Esenbeck et Montagne.

940. *P. insularia, Sp. nov.- Caulis ascendens subsimplex.

Plate 56.

a, PISSI2KNS HELENl COS. fc. LOPHOCOLEA S ERRATA.
C. TYL1 M ANTHUS ANISODON. d. LEJECNIA PTEROTA.
e. -POLYPORtTS (AN 0 DERME I ) I ND U RATU S.

i .Reeve & 0'-' London

BOTANY.

367

Folia laxe imbricata patentia subovalia ovatave rotundata, margine
dorsali recurvo integerrimo, ventrali apiceque denticulis paucis
arm at o, cellulis rotundo-hexagonis interstitiis angustis areolata.

Melliss, Capt. Haughton. Stems two or three inches long, devoid
of rootlets. Foliage very pale-brown, not altered when dry. In ap-
pearance closely resembling the European P. asplenioides in its larger
forms, but on comparison its areolation is found to be composed of
cells more than twice as large, and the outline of the leaf is a little
more ovate.

Fragments of another species like very small states of P . spinu-
losa have been seen from St. Helena; also of two different species
from Tristan d’Acunha.

Jungermannia, Linn.

941. fJ. incumbens, Lehmann et Lindenberg in Lehm. Pugill,
pi. vi. p. 60 ; Gottsche Lindenb. et Nees ab Esenbeck, Synop.
Hepat. p. 80. — Hab. Tristan d’Acunha, Campbell, Seemann.

Very nearly allied to J . piligera, as stated in the Synopsis; it is
also similar to a Brazilian species gathered by Von Martius.

This species differs from J. obtusata, Taylor, in the deeper sinus
and sharper straigliter segments of the leaf ; it is also of a dull
brownish colour.

942. *J. obtusata, Taylor Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 80. —
Dr. Hooker, Capt. Haughton.

The lobes of the leaves of this species are frequently broken off ;
when perfect they are acute, and with the whole plant of a reddish-
brown. It can scarcely be possible that this species can be iden-
tical with the J. sub compile ata, Lehm. et Lindenb., from the Marian
Islands, to which it has been referred in the Synopsis.

Lophocolea, Nees ab Esenbeck.

943. *L. humistrata, Tayl. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 82. —
Dr. Hooker, Capt. Haughton.

A small species, of a pale green colour, becoming paler by age ;
its leaves alternate, or just touching each other ; the apex obtuse,
rounded, entire or with an obtuse notch ; the small rounded biden-
tate stipules narrowly connected with the leaves on each side ; the
involucral leaves oval, bidentate with an obtuse sinus, connate be-

368

ST. HELENA.

low with the stipule, which is of the same form but of half their
size ; the perianth is narrowly winged at its angles, the aim being
entile. Allied to L. connata, Swartz, but differing considerably in
the outline of its leaves.

944. fL. serrata, sp. nov. — Caulis repens. Folia explanata
oblongo-quadrata, subinmqualiter bidentata, sinu rectangulari, mar-
ginibus ubique denticulis brevibus serrata, cellulis parvis parietibus
angustis pellucidis areolata, amphigastria parva profunde bifida,
laciniis extus unidentatis. — Hab. Tristan d’ Ac unha, amongst Fis-
sidens asplenioides, Milne.

A small species, looking to the unassisted eye like a minute state
of L. bidentata.

1 late ob, f. b. 1, stems of the natural size; 2, a portion with
leaves and stipule, magnified.

Adelanthus, Mitt. Journ. Linn. Soc. vol. vii.

945. A. decipiens, Hook. Brit. Jung. t. 50; Jungermannia cam-
pylodonta , Taylor Bond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 80; Plagiochila

campylodonta , Gottsche, Lindenberg et Hees Syn. Hep. 039. On

moist ground, Dianas Peak, Dr. Hooker; creeping amongst Macro-
mitrurn Seemanni, Dr. Seemann. Probably indigenous to St. Helena.

Oiiginally discovered in Ireland, and found for many years only
m a barren state, the place of this curious species was long uncer-
tain ; but by the fortunate discovery of perianth-bearing specimens
in the Andes, by Mr. Spruce, its real affinity is found to be with
the Jungermannia falcata, Hooker Musci Exot. t. 89. A species
also like A. decipiens, so nearly resembling many Plagiochila;, that
their mode of fruiting would be so different, could not have been
suspected.

Tylimanthus, Mitt, in Hooker’s Handbook of the Flora of
Hew Zealand, ii. p. 753.

946. T. anisodon, Tayl. Bond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 79.
{Plagiochila a?iisodonta).—Dv. Hooker. Probably indigenous to St.
Helena.

This species, of which the fructification has not yet been seen, re-
sembles very nearly P tenella= Ggmnanthe tenella, Hook. fil. et Tayl.
FI. Tasman, u. t. 170, f. 3, and agrees with it, and some other
nearly allied species, in the areolation, the cell walls being wide.

BOTANY.

369

Plate 56, f. c. 1, stem of the natural size; 2, portion of same
with leaves magnified.

Bazzanius, Gray Nat. Hist. Brit. Plants, i. p. 704. Mastigobryum.

Nees ab Esenbeck, Lindenb. et Gottsclie.

947. fB. brevidens, sp. nov. — Caulis procumbens ramis alternis
divisus. Folia dense imbricata superne convexa apicibus ad lateram
inferiorem incurvis, ambitu inaequaliter subovata, margine superiore
convexo, inferiore rectiusculo ssepe incurvo, apice oblique truncata,
denticulis brevibus sarpe indistinctis obsoletisve. Amphigastria reni-
formia caulis fere duplo latiora subintegerrima cum foliis utrinque
coalita. — Hab. Tristan d’Acunha; frequent on banks in marshes.
Milne.

This is very near to B. decrescens, and also to B. Novae Hol-
landice ; but it seems to differ from both in its shorter leaves, with
the apices incurved and indistinctly dentate.

Lepidozia, Nees, Lindenb. et Gottsche.

948. *Ij. capillaris, Swartz ; L. nemoides, Tayl. Bond. Journ. of
Bot. 1854, p. 84. — Dr. Hooker, Capt. Haughton.

The specimens differ slightly from West Indian and tropical
American in having the points of the segments of the leaf a little
more acute. It is a very small species of a dull brownish colour,
having its leaves inserted directly across the stem, and with their
finger-like segments directed towards its apex.

949. fL. procumbens, sp. nov. — Caulis pinnatim ramosus
ramis flagelliformi attenuatis. Folia patentia oblique inserta im-
bricata ambitu subquadrata, angulo dorsali semicordato, quadrifida
dentibus duobus inferioribus brevioribus inferiore recurvo, cellulis
rotundis oblongisque limitibus pellucidis areolata. Amphigastria pa-
tentia brevia cauli latitudinis quadridentata. Perianthium elongatum
apicem versus plicatum, ore obtusiusculo fisso. — Hab. Tristan
d’Acunha, Milne, M'Gillivray.

Very much like L. Icevifolia, from New Zealand, but more
pellucid. It also resembles L. reptans, but the areolation of the
leaves is much more minute.

B B

370

ST. HELENA.

Mastigopliora, Nees ab Esenbeck, Gottsche, Lindenb. et Nees
Synops. Hepat. p. 241.

950. *M. fornicata, Lelim. et Lindenb. in Lehm. Pugil. pi.
vi. p. 25. — Hab. Tristan d’Acunha, in Herb. Hooker.

951. $M. leioclada, Tayl. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 85. —
Hab. Ascension, Dr. Hooker.

Both this and the preceding may be but small or young states
of M. diclados, which is found in Africa and many other southern
regions.

Physiotium, Nees ab Esenbeck, Gottsche, Lindenb. et Nees
Synops. Hepat. 284.

952. P. sphagnoides, Hooker Muse. Exot. t. 47. (. lunger -

mannia). — Burch ell, Menzies, Dr. Hooker, Melliss. Probably indi-
genous to St. Helena.

This fine species is found also in Western Africa, but has not
yet been reported from the American continent. In St. Helena it
is easily distinguished on the branches of the very highest vegeta-
tion at Diana’s Peak, by its bright-red and green tints. Alt. 5 4.
It grows abundantly parasitically on the native Cabbage-trees and
the Tree-ferns.

Badula, Dumort.

953. *R. fulvifolia, Tayl. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 85. —
Dr. Hooker, Capt. Haughton, Melliss.

A little less than the common European B. complanata , and with
a more tufted habit, having, as observed by Dr. Taylor, one layer of
stems growing over another. All the specimens are barren, and
agree in having the greater portion of the stems denuded of leaves.
It is not a species, in a barren state, presenting any strongly marked
character, although it differs in small particulars from any other.

Phragmieoma, Dumort.

#

954. *P. acutiloba, Tayl. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 90. —
Erom branches of Melanodendron, Diana’s Peak, Dr. Hooker,
Melliss.

A dark -brown species, with a little shade of green, and, as stated

BOTANY.

371

bj Dr. Taylor, very similar to P. MacJcaii, but with the leaves to-
wards the perianth tipped with a minute apiculus.

955. *P. microscypha, Tayl. l.c. — Found with Parmelia leuco-
mela.

This probably exists only in Dr. Taylor’s Herbarium. It would
appear to be very near to the preceding.

956. *P. rotalis, Tayl. l.c.— Dr. Hooker, Capt. Iiaughton,
Melliss, Seemann.

A small, pale-brown species, with its perianth tumid, obtuse,
without apiculus, and with or without a trace of a fold on the upper
side.

Lejeunia, Gottsche et Lindenb.

957. *L. pterota, Tayl. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1S45, p. 91 ; L.
adscensionis, ejusd. l.c. — Hab. also Ascension, Dr. Hooker.

After a comparison of the specimens, there seems to be no distinc-
tion between them, except that the specimen marked L. adscensionis
is entirely barren.

Minute scraps of several other species of this great genus have
been observed amongst the St. Helena specimens.

Plate 56, f. d. 1, plant of the natural size; 2, portion of stem,
with leaves and stipules; 3, perianth, as seen from the under side;
4, transverse section of same about its middle : all magnified.

Pallavicinius, Gray Nat. Hist. Brit. Plants, i. p. 684 ; Steetzia,
Lelim. Gottsche, Lindenb. etNees Syn. Hepat. p. 785 ; Diplo-
laena, Dumort. Syll. p. 82.

958. *P. proeumbens, Tayl. Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 93. —
Dr. Hooker, Capt. Haughton, Melliss.

All the specimens of this species are alike in their brown colour,
and although similar to the European P. Lyellii, appear to differ in
the indistinct nerve.

Plagiocliasma, Lehm. et Lindenb. in Lehm. Pugil.
pi. iv. p. 13.

959. *P. limbatum, Tayl. Lond. Journ. Bot. 1845, p. 95. —
Capt. Haughton; Ascension, Dr. Hooker.

b b 2

372

ST. HELENA.

Symphogyna, Montagne et Nces in Ann. des Sc. Nat. 1836.

960. *S. serrata, sp. nov. — Frondes e rhizomate repente ascen-
dentes erective stipite anguste alato superne bis terve bifidi, nervo
angusto percursi, lacinire lineares margine flexuos* serratse. — Capt.
Hangbton.

Fronds, including the stipes, about one inch high ; lacinise two-
thirds of a line broad, not much altered by drying ; margins flexuose,
both in the wet and dry states.

Smaller than S. Lehmanniana, from S. Africa, and of firmer sub-
stance, as well as a more graceful species.

961. $S. convoluta, Tayl. Loud. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p. 94. —
Hab. Ascension, Dr. Hooker.

The habit of this species is similar to that of P allavicinius pro-
cumbent, with which it agrees in its brown colour. No trace of in-
florescence is observable on the specimens.

Exormotheca, Mitt, in Godman Nat. Hist, of the
Azores, p. 325.

962. *E. pustulosa, Mitt. l.c. — Found amongst Bryum argen-
teum, Linn., Melliss.

The specimen is far too scant to determine if this is absolutely
the same species as the Madeiran plant, as it appears to be ; although
it is a little smaller, the structure seems identical.

Marchantia, Linn.

963. M. polymorpha, Linn. — Found on the high central
ridge, alt. 5 to 5'4, covering the banks beneath the native Cabbage-
trees and ferns, Melliss. Probably indigenous to St. Helena.

The small specimen is of firm substance, without any discolo-
ration in the middle of the fronds, in this particular corresponding
with most southern specimens.

Dendroceros, Nees ab Esenbeck, Gottsche, Lindenb. et Nees
Synop. Hepat. 579.

964. *D. adglutinatus, Tayl. Loud. Journ. of Bot. 1845, p.
96 (Monoclea). — On trees, Diana’s Peak, Dr. Hooker.

A small species like 1). brasiliensis ; but in the specimens, which
are very poor and scanty, less crisped at the margins.

BOTANY.

373

Anthoceros, Micheli.

965. *A. laevis, Linn. — Melliss.

CLASS IV.— TH ALLOP HYTES.

124. Lichenes (Lichens).

C/OLLEMACEI.

COLLEMEI.

Leptogium, Ach.

966. L. tremelloides, (Fr.) — A slate-coloured Lichen, in
fructification, found clinging to the branches of Cabbage-trees and
other native vegetation on the high land in a damp atmosphere.
Alt. 5 ‘4. It is found also in Great Britain.

Lichenacei.

Cladodei.

Cladonia, Hoffm.

967. C. pyxidata, Fr. ; forma fimbriata (denticulata) .

968. C. pyxidata, Fr. ; forma pityrea ( decorticata ). — A small
needle-shaped whitish Lichen about f of an inch long, found growing
in damp situations on banks and stems of decaying trees. — H. L.

969. C. pyxidata, Fr. ; forma cldoroplicea. — A species very
like the last, but with the addition of a funnel or cup-shaped top,
found growing in similar situations.

970. C. aggregata, (Sw.) Eschw. — Fragments only.

Bamalodei.

Roccella, D.C.

971. R. tinctoria, Ach. — A shrubby whitish-brown Lichen of a
brittle nature, found on rocks on the low land and outskirts of the
Island. It is found also in Great Britain.

972. R. phycopsis, Ach. — A shrubby whitish Lichen of a
somewhat more supple nature than the last species, but found in
similar situations. It grows in a sort of knotted form. Also found
in Great Britain.

973. R. fueiformis, Ach. — Growing on the hard basaltic rocks

374

ST. HELENA.

generally in the Island, but principally on the outskirts. Also found
in Great Britain.

Usnea, Hffm.

974. XT. barbata, Fr. ; forma florida, Fr. — A greenish-white
Lichen, covering the stems and branches of trees on the windward
side of the Island on the high land, especially the Gumwood-trees
atLongwood, from the branches of which it hangs down like beards,
two or three feet in length ; and also from the .Fir-trees in exposed
and windy places, as at West Lodge, Thompson’s Wood, Rockrose
Hill, Mount Pleasant, &c. It sometimes forms quite a thick coat
on the exposed or windward side of the tree, while the other side of
the stem is almost devoid of lichen. It is generally more or less
damp and moist even in dry weather. Alt. 4. It is also found
in Great Britain. Sterile.

97 A TJ. barbata, Fr. ; forma hirta, Fr. — A species similar to the
other, but much coarser in texture ; found in the same situations —
viz., on the high land, where the atmosphere is moist ; found also
in Great Britain. Sterile.

976. XT. barbata, Fr forma ceratina, Schter. — A more twiggy
and wire-like species ; found also in Great Britain. Fertile.

977. XJ. barbata, Fr. ; forma articulata, Acli. — A species found
also in Great Britain.

978. XJ. laevis, (Eschw.) — Sterile.

Ramalina, Ach.

979. R. seopulorum, Acli.- — One of the shrubby, brittle, brown-
ish-white Lichens, found on rocks on the barren outskirts of the
Island ; a very twiggy, branching species, about two or three inches
in height. Found also in Great Britain.

980. R. angulosa, Laur. — This species, and the three following,
were gathered by l)r. Burchell at Longwood in the years 1809
and 1815.

981. R. angulosa, Laur. ; forma gradient a. — Fertile.

982. R. angulosa, Laur. ; forma humilis dilatata, — From rocks
close to Round Tower, Ladder Hill. Fertile.

9S3. R. pollinaria, Ach. — Found on the Gumwood-trees at
Longwood. H. L. Alt. 4. Sterile.

984. R. polyinorpha, Ach. — One of the shrubby, pale greenish-

BOTANY.

375

white Lichens found on the rocks on the barren outskirts of the
Island, of a very brittle nature ; the branches flat and broad, with
a horny appearance. Found also in Great Britain.

985. R. ceruchis, D.N. — A species gathered by Dr. Burchell.

Fertile.

Stictina, Nyl.

986. S. tomentosa, (Sw.) — A jelly-like, butterfly-shaped Lichen,
of a chocolate-brown colour, with dull red spots, found growing on
the branches of the native Cabbage-trees on the high ridge at Diana s
Peak, about 2700 feet above the sea, in a moist atmosphere. Fertile.

987. S. crocata, (Ach.) — Another species, from similar localities
to the last. — Found also in Great Britain. Sterile.

Sticta, Ach.

988. S. aurata, Ach. — Perhaps of all, this is the most beautiful
Lichen found in the Island. In its mat-like form it is abundantly
met with, covering the branches of fruit and forest trees, on the
central ridge, at Diana’s Peak, &c. Alt. 5 '4. It is most rich in
colour, sometimes entirely of a brilliant golden hue. It is seen
partially covering the dead brown leaves of the Tree-fern
( Dichonia arborescens ) and the Cabbage -trees ; in other places it is of
a bright copper-colour, touched with gold; then of a deep red, with
golden spots; and again, of a bright rich green, with golden
underside and margins. It is also found in Great Britain. Sterile.

Bicasolia, De. Not.

989. R. herbacea, D.N. — A Lichen, gathered by Dr. Burchell.
Fertile.

Parmelia, Ach. Nyl.

990. P. perlata, Ach. 1 The most abundant of all

991. P. perlata, var. ciliuta, D.C. ) the Lichens; found grow-
ing generally upon the stems and branches of trees inland, and upon
rocks &c., on the outskirts of the Island. It is of a flat, mat-like form,
and plays an important part in the general landscape. The soft grey
colour of the basaltic rocks and distant barren lulls, which contrast
so prettily when viewed in close proximity with bright green fields
and foliage, is occasioned by this plant. Found also in Gi eat Biitain.

376

ST. HELENA.

992. P. saxatilis, Ach. — A species collected from the bark of
Oak trees, growing in the interior of the Island. Alt. 4. — Found
also in Great Britain. Sterile.

993. P. laevigata, Ach.— A species very like the last mentioned.
— Found also in Great Britain. Sterile.

994. P. conspersa, Ach. ; forma Mougeotii, Schser. — Found on
the rocks at St. Helena, and also in Great Britain. Sterile

995 P. incurva? Fr.— Found on the rocks at St. Helena, and
also m Great Britain. Sterile.

996. P. caperata, Linn.— Found at St. Helena; as also in Great
Britain.

997. P. hyperopta, Ach. ? — A very white Lichen, from the
clay rock above The Hermitage ; also from trunks of Fir trees on
the high land. Alt. 4.

998. P. lepidiota, Smrf.

Physcia, Nyl.

999. P. flavicans, D.C. — A bright orange-yellow shrubby
Lichen, found on the rocky outskirts, and on the stems of Fir trees
m exposed places.— Found also in Great Britain. Sterile.

1000. P. leucomela, Mich.; forma avgas! folia, (Mey. & Fit.)

A delicate thread-like Lichen, white, with black lateral hairs, found,
with Cora pavonia, running amongst the grass on the central ridge of
the high land at Diana’s Peak. Fertile.

1001. P. speciosa, Fr. ; and var. hypolcuca, Ach. — A flat,
spreading, pale-greenish Lichen, growing on the stems and branches
of trees; may be recognised by its beautifully divided branches.
H. L. Alt. 4. Fertile.

1002. P. picta, (Sw.) — A very minute fine grey Lichen, found
on the bark of decaying stumps of Cabbage-trees in the neighbour-
hood of Diana’s Peak. H. L. Alt. 5 '4. Sterile.

1003. P. astroidea, Clem— A greyish-white Lichen, from the
rocks generally in the Island.— Found also in Great Britain.

PliACODEI.

Pannaria, Del.

1004. P. rubiginosa, Del.— Found at St. Helena, and also in
Great Britain.

BOTANY.

377

Erioderma, Fr.

1005. E. unguigerum, (Bor.) — A pale-blue Lichen, found
growing on twigs of Oabbage-trees at Diana s Beak. H. L.
Alt. 5'4.

Cora, Fr.

1006. C. pavonia, (Web.) — A pale-blue, ear-shaped Lichen,
found amongst the grass and dead fern leaves, on and near to
Diana’s Peak. H. L. Alt. 5 '4. It grows in patches, of a foot or
more in diameter, and the grass and dead leaves are so embedded in.
it as to lead to the conclusion that at one stage the plant exists in a
gelatinous state. Sterile.

Squamaria, D.C.

1007. S. saxicola, Poll. — A rock Lichen, from Rupert’s Hill,
on the outskirts of the Island. Alt. 1 '6.— Found also in Great
Britain.

Placodium, D.C., Nyl.

1008. P. murorum, Htfm. ? — A rock Lichen, from Ruperts
Hill, and Munden’s, on the leeward coast. — Found also in Great
Britain.

Lecanora, Acli., Nyl.

1009. *L. personata, Leiglit. — Described and figured by Mr.
Leighton as a new species, Trans. Linn. feoc. Lond. vol. xxvii. p. 157,
t, xxxv. f. 6, 7.

1010. L. aurantiaca, (Liglitf.) ; JErythrella, (Ach.) A reddish-
brown-coloured Lichen, growing on the rocks near Haiding s
Spring. H. L. Alt. 4. — Found also in Great Britain.

1011. L. atra, Huds. — A whitish-coloured Lichen, from rocks
generally in the Island. — Found also in Great Biitain.

1012. L. ferruginea, Huds.? — A white Lichen from clay
banks in the interior of the Island. Found also inGieat Biitain.

1013. L. argopholis, Whlnb. — A rock Lichen growing on
Rupert’s Hill. Alt. 1 '6.— Found also in Great Britain.

1014. L. orosthea, Ach. — Another rock species from the same
locality. — Also found in Great Britain,

78

ST. HELENA.

1015. L. haematomma, Ach.— A knotted, whitish rock Lichen
from the Black Square. H. L. Alt. 3.

1010. L, fusco-lutea, (Licks.) — A whitish Lichen with bright-
red seed-spots, from the stems of Cabbage-trees at Harding’s
Spring. H. L. Alt. 4.

ihe whitish lichens, which cover the rocks generally and give
them their peculiar grey aspect, are species of lecanora, amongst
which are doubtless others than those which have been already
identified by Mr. Leighton.

Urceolaria, Ach. pr. p. Xyl.

1017. TJ. scruposa, Linn. — A whitish Lichen from the clay

roadside hanks, on the high land in the interior of the Island.

Found also in Great Britain.

Pertusaria, D.C.

1018. P. fallax, Pers. — A broad, knotted, white Lichen, from

the stems of Gumwood trees at Plantation House. H. L. Alt. 36.

Pound also in Great Britain.

Lecidea, Ach.

1019* L. approximans, Leight.— Described and figured by
Mr. Leighton as a new species. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. vol. xxvii.
p. 157, t. xxxv. f. 1, 2, 3.

1020. *L. lactescens, Leight— Also described and figured by
Mr. Leighton as a new species. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. vol. xxvii.
t. xxxv. f. 4, 5.

1021. L, saxatilis, Schser. ? — Growing on rocks on Kupert’s
Hill. C. Alt. 16. — Found also in Great Britain.

1 022. L. enteroleuca, Ach. — A very fine grey Lichen from
rocks near Bed Hill. H. L. Alt. 2'6.— Found also in Great
Britain.

1023. L. stellulata, Tayl. — In appearance very much re-
sembling a dark blue mark on the very hard rocks. — Found also in
Great Britain.

Opegrapha, Ach., Xyl.

1024. O. Leightonii, Cromb— A chalky- white Lichen, from
the rocks at Rupert’s Hill. C. Alt. 1 '6.— Found also in Great
Britain.

BOTANY.

379

Lepraria, A cli .

1025. L. ochracea, T. & B. — A pale green, fine dust-like Sore-
diate thallus, found on the bark of Fir and other tiees in the

interior of the Island. H. L. Alt. 4.

1026. L. flava, Ach. — A bright yellow Sorediate thallus, not

unlike a deposit of sulphur, found on the barks of trees and roadside
banks in the interior of the Island. Fir cones are sometimes so com-
pletely covered with it as to resemble gilding with gold-leaf. H. L.
Alt. 4.

125. Fungi ( Mushrooms , 8fc,).

Agaricus, Linn.

1027. A. (Amanita) pantherinus, DC.

1023. A. (Psalliota) campestris, Linn. — The Eatable Mush-
room grows abundantly on the grassy plains at Deadwood, Man-and-
Horse, New Ground, &c. It springs up after the summer rains. There
is a larger species, inhabiting the rotting beds of old haystacks ; and
a still larger one, about eight or ten inches in diameter, occasionally
met with on the barren plains between Longwood and Turk’s Cap.

1029. A. (Hypholoma) fascicalaris, Huds. — Or some closely
allied species, the specimen examined being only in the infant state.

Hypoxylon, Bull.

1030. *H. Mellissii, Berkeley— This funny little black Fungus,
of which Mr. Berkeley has given the following description as a
new species, was taken from some of the decaying trunks of an
old Cork-tree, which had been cut down, and remained for several
years in a very damp place at The Hermitage. Alt. 32.— Ramoso-
connatum ; clavulis brevibus anguste ovatis opacis rugosis rimosis
acuminatis ; sporidiis minoribus. Looks at first like II. micropus,
Fr. ; but the sporidia -rrro are a third shorter.

Phallus, Linn.

1031 P. impudicus ? Linn. — Ibis “stinking fungus is often
met with after heavy rains forcing its way out of the earth amongst
the wooded parts on the high land.

380

•ST. HELENA.

Palyphorus, Mich.

1032. P. versicolor, Fr.

1033. P. lucidus, Fr.

1034. *P. (Anodermei) induratus, Berkeley. — This new
Fungus, of which Mr. Berkeley has given the following description
and admirable drawing, is very abundant on the old stems of Oak
and other trees which lie rotting in damp places on the high land
at alt. 3-2 to 4. The specimen which Mr. Berkeley examined was
taken from The Hermitage.— Pileo ungulato e tomentoso pallide sub-
accato, poris elongatis albis minutis, angulatis, dissepimentis tenui-
bus ; contextu fibroso-sericeo. At first evidently soft, then hardened ;
pores about one-seventieth of an inch in. diameter. Pi, ate 56, f. e

1035. P. sanguineus, Fr.— The specimen is quite colourless
from exposure to weather. Mr. Berkeley says, “ I believe it to be
Eolyporus sanguineus, Fr.”

Scliizophyllum, Fr.

1036. S. commune, Fr.

Scleroderma, Pers.

1 037. S. vulgare, Fr.— This PufFBall, commonly called “ Devil’s
Snuff-box,” is very common on the high land, along the roadside
banks, and amongst the wooded parts.

126. Marine AlgzE {Seaweeds).

Professor Dickie has very kindly examined my collection, and
identified the following species. Journ. Linn. Soc. 1873, voh xiii.

Ulva, Ag.

1038. IT. latissima, Linn.— The bright grassy-green Seaweed
which is very common around the shores of the Island; also gene-
rally found distributed in temperate and colder oceans.

1039. U. parvula, Ktz. P-Eare at St. Helena ; found adherin
to Laurencia cruciata.

Enteromorpha, Ag.

1040. E. sp. ? — Found adhering to Laurencia cruciata. Pro-
bably E. percursa, Hook.

BOTANY.

381

Valonia, Gm.

1041. V. verticillata, Ktz. ? — Taken from the shallow pools on
the windward coast.— Eare at St. Helena, and found also at Vera
Cruz.

Codium, Stackh.

1042. C. tomentosum, Stackh. — A very rare, coarse green Sea-
weed, growing in the pools on the windward coast. — It is nearly
cosmopolitan throughout tropical and temperate oceans in both hemi-
spheres and antarctic seas.

Griffith sia, Ag.

1043. G. setacea, Ellis? — Found adhering to Laurencia cru-

ciata. It is also found on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of

Europe, the Canaries, New Zealand, and Australia.

Centroceras, Kutzing.

1044. C. clavulatum, Ag. — Found adhering to Corallina

carinata. Found also in Florida, the Mediterranean, Canaries,

Indian 'Ocean, Eio Janeiro, Callao, Vera Cruz, Cape of Good Hope,
Mauritius, Sandwich Islands, Tahiti, Australia, Tasmania, and New
Zealand.

Grateloupia, Ag.

1045. G. filicina, Wulf. — A dark purple Seaweed, rather
common on the coast at St. Helena, and found also on the Atlantic
shores, Canaries, Mediterranean, East Indies, Ceylon, Java, and
Cape of Good Hope.

1046. G. filicina, var. ramentacea. — Found adhering to Am-
jjhiroa fragilissima, at St. Helena.

Galaxaura, Lamx.

1047. G. lapidescens, Lamx. — A Seaweed from the shallow
low pools. — Eare at St. Helena, and found also at the Canaries, Eed
Sea, Indian Ocean, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Austialia.

382

ST. HELENA.

Liagora, Lamx,

1048. L. viscida, Forsk. A small buslry, pale Seaweed, occurring
in the shallow pools on the windward coast, but rare. — Found also at

the West Indies, Azores, Indian Ocean, Bed Sea, and Eastern
Australia.

Pterocladia, Lamx.

1049. P. lucida, Br. — A red Seaweed, growing parasitically
and thickly on the backs of limpet-shells which are cast ashore
somewhat plentifully along the coast ; also found on pieces of wood
that have been cast up by the sea.— Occurs also on the W. and S.W.
coasts of Australia, at New Zealand and Ceylon.

Melobesia, Lamx.

, 1050. M. farinosa, Lamx.— Found adhering to laurencia cru-
ciata, at St. Helena, and is very general in both hemispheres.

Lithothamnion, Phil.

1051. L. brassica-florida, Harv. var.— A mass of thick, white
hard, coral-like formation, growing to some extent in the shallow
pools, and also cast up with the shingle on the beach along the
southern or windward coast. It is a good deal perforated by a small
Li/hodomus, the shells of which are found perfect in some of the
holes.— Found also in Algoa Bay.

10o2. L. crassum, Phil. — A very similar species, but much
finer in its branching, and found under similar circumstances.
Neither species is abundant. — Found also in the Mediterranean.

Amphiroa, Lamx,

1053. A. exilis, Harv. ? — A small, fine, delicate and fragile,
pinkish-white, branching, coral-like Seaweed, found very rarely in
shallow pools on the windward coast. Also at the Cape of Gfood
Hope, Brazil, and in the Mediterranean.

1054. A. fragilissima, Lamx. — Avery fine, delicate, white Sea-
weed, growing in close tufts somewhat resembling a sponge • very
rare in the pools at Lot’s Wife Ponds.— Found also at Cuba,
Eastern India, and in the Mediterranean.

BOTANY.

3S3

Corallina, Tourn.

1055. C. earinata, Ktz. — A small, delicate, coral-like, pink Sea-
weed, from the shallow pools on the coast. Very rare. Has been,
also found at the Cape of Good Hope.

Laurencia, Lamx.

1056. L. cruciata, Harv. — A reddish-brown Seaweed, not very
common, but found growing in the shallow pools on the windward
coast. — Also found at Western Australia. It is said to be veiy
near to L. obtusa , Lamx., which is widely diffused in both hemi-
spheres.

Padina, Adams.

1057. P. pavonia, Linn. — A Seaweed from the Basaltic Bocks
and small shallow pools of sea-water on Lot s Wife Leach, on the
windward side of the Island. — Pound also in South Britain, France,
the Mediterranean, United States, West Indies, Bed Sea, Indian
Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Australia, and Hew Zea-
land.

Ecklonia, Horn.

1058. E. buccinalis, Linn. — A Seaweed cast on shore at Sandy
Bay, on the south side of the Island. As it does not grow at St.
Helena, and is a well-known Cape species, it is most likely brought
thence, over 1700 miles of sea, by the current that sets from the
Cape to St. Helena.

Note Thirteen species from Tristan d’Acunha, and three from Ascension are included

in the foregoing, hut as several undetermined species and varieties are in some instances com-
prised under the same number, those found at St. Helena amount to about 1048.

PART V.— CLIMATE— METEOROLOGY— TIDES—

ROLLERS.

In excellence of climate, St. Helena is perhaps without an equal •
no heat of torrid zones, or cold blasts from frigid regions, approach
its genial shores. There no thunder-storms terrify the timid, no
cholera, no yellow-fever, no small-pox, scarlatina, or deadly lurking
fever-germs pollute the air. Nor is its balmy atmosphere ever
marred by scorching winds, hot vapours, typhoons, hurricanes
cyclones, or any other characteristic of tropical regions. Through-
out the year bright sunshine, clear skies, gentle breezes and deep
blue seas, all combine to make it one of the most charming spots
that can be found. The Island might reasonably and is generally
supposed to be tropical in climate, lying as it does about one-
third of the way within the tropic of Capricorn, and only 955
miles from the Equator; but fortunately its isolated position, far
removed from the influence of any large tract of land, imme-
diately in the heart of the ever-prevailing fresh, healthy, south-east
trade winds, completely frees it from any of the disagreeables
which such a latitude might be expected to possess. The climate
is also rendered more temperate than it would otherwise be by
the cool current of water which generally flows from ’ the
Antarctic regions towards the Island ; and when, on the other hand,
the current sets in strongest from the Equatorial region — as it does
when the rollers occur it accounts for the close, oppressive, and
warm state of the atmosphere on such occasions. Although not
so much difference exists as in Europe, the year is really marked
by lour seasons— viz., Spring, extending from October to December ;
Summer, from January to March ; Autumn, from April to June •
and the remaining three months constituting Winter.

Although there is no perceptible difference for a week or so
Spring really commences on the 23rd September; Summer on the
22nd December, when the sun has its greatest south declination •
Autumn on the 21st March, when the sun is on the equator; and

CLIMATE.

385

Winter on the 21st June, when the sun is furthest north. Twice
during the year the sun is vertical — on the 5th February and the
6th November.

The length of day is very uniform throughout the year, the longest,
occurring on December 21st, being thirteen hours two minutes’ dura-
tion ; and the shortest, the 2 1st J une, being eleven hours eight minutes,
exactly the opposite of what occurs in England. Spring is charac-
terized by a minimum temperature of 5 5 * 5°, and a maximum of 68°,
with bright, sunny, cheerful weather, occasionally varied by fresh
and gentle showers ; while the oaks, bursting out into full leaf, with
gorse, mimosas, buddlea, and other plants, in full blossom, min-
gling" their delicious perfumes with the fragrance of the newly-
mown hay, give to the season much of the charming character of
an English spring. Summer is marked by hotter weather, the
thermometer reaching as high as 72'8° on the high land, and 82'6°
in Jamestown. The vegetation of the lower land becomes scorched
up, and heavy tropical rains occur about the month of March. The
chief sign of autumn is the fall of the leaf, which occurs with the
oak and some other exotic plants with as much regularity as it
does in England, the temperature becoming less, with small drizzling
rains, usually called Scotch mists, dux-ing the month of J une. In
the winter, the temperature falls to 53‘2°, the weather becomes
squally, wind and rain both increasing, until on the high land fires
become not only bearable, but necessary, both for personal comfort
and for the preservation of property from ruin by damp and mould.
The climate of James’ valley during the summer months is not
agreeable ; it is then and there that the only approach to really hot
weather is experienced.

It is easy to imagine the indignation of some wayfaring visitor
to Jamestown, after having passed — not slept, for sleep is often
out of the question — a night there, restless from ‘heat, and
worried by mosquitoes ; but the climate of the town must not
be considered in any way a type of that of the Island generally.
The atmosphere of the town is so completely influenced by local cir-
cumstances, that it is altogether different from the rest of the Island.
Built in one of those deep, narrow, water-cut ravines which trans-
versely intersect the leeward coast, and enclosed between two huge ba-
saltic hills, sloping up at angles of about 35° to a height of eight or
ten hundred feet, it becomes, when the sun has heated them by day,

386

ST. HELENA.

and they radiate that heat at night, a very oven on a large scale.
The oppressiveness of the air is moreover increased when occasionally
the trade wind falls, and a stagnant calm prevails perhaps for five
or six days at a time, disturbed only by a gentle north-westerly air-
current, not strong enough to be called a wind, and at such pe-
riods the heat appears a great deal more intense than the maximum
of 82'6° indicated by the thermometer, but this state of things
never lasts long enough to produce unhealthiness. Whatever bad
and injurious atmosphere accumulates is, before it has had time to
promote evil, swept away by a fresh outburst of that pure and healthy
South-east Trade so well deserving the title of “ Doctor,” which St.
TIelenians have given to it. The town is, moreover, naturally well
drained and supplied with water, and it is not surprising to find that,
with all its inconveniences during the summer months, Jamestown
is not unhealthy. Permanent residents there suffer from relaxation,
and its accompanying evils, and at times a low fever prevails to a
small extent ; but this latter is chiefly confined to the very poor, and
may be attributed to their poverty and mode of living, with insuffi-
cient food and comforts, rather than to any effect produced bv climate.

As might be expected, the atmosphere contains much moisture.
Small islands, entirely surrounded by sea, must always be more or
less damp, and this fact is as much against St. Helena as a residence
for those who suffer from pulmonary complaints as Madeira. It
has been observed that the pure African is more susceptible of such
diseases than the native, but as very few instances of it occur at St.
Helena at all, the large number of deaths which are registered must
be attributed to seeds sown elsewhere.

Although the European garrison has until very recently been
chiefly quartered in the town, statistics show that soldiers suffer less
from mortality at St. Helena than at any other colonial station, and
but a fractional degree more than in England.

The larger portion, or about four thousand, of the population, re-
side on the high land, or what is called the country, at altitudes vary-
ing from 1200 to 2000 feet. At this elevation, on the windward side,
Longwood is situated ; and at this spot, known to historians in
connexion with the name of Napoleon Buonaparte, the only
systematic meteorological observations which have been recorded
were observed during the years 1840-45 by a detachment of
Royal Artillery, under the direction of General Sir Edward

METEOROLOGY.

387

Sabine, E.A., R.R.S., and subsequently published. Longwood is
itself a bleak, cold, exposed situation; and the complaints of
Napoleon’s staff against it as such were not without some reason.
On this account it is perhaps not the most favourable spot for
recording observations characteristic of the meteorology of the Island ;
still they may be taken as affording a tolerably correct record.

The building erected for these observations stands in. Lat.
15° 56' 41'2" S., Long. 5° 40' 31-5'' W., at an altitude of 1764 feet
above the sea, and about two and a half miles from it. The mean
temperature of five years was 61-4°; the lowest being 52°, on
the 5th September, 1845, and the highest 77-6°, on the 3rd March,
1842 ; the mean taking place at nearly equal intervals between — viz.,
early in June and about the middle of December. The mean height
of the thermometer in the different months ranged from 57‘07° in
September to 66 -24° in March, making an average difference of only
9 17° between the hottest and coldest months. The extreme range
of thermometer being 25'6°, and the mean diurnal range 5-6°.*

Over many miles of ocean blows the South-east Trade, as pure a
wind as is found on the face of the earth, sometimes accompanied by
rain and sea-fog, and sometimes sweeping across the plains of Long-
wood and down the ravines with force enough to uproot trees and un-
roof houses, while many a sheltered glade in other parts of the Island
experiences little of its fury. These strong Trades, with a force of
1-72 lbs., f are the nearest approach to a storm that ever occurs at St.
Helena. They are generally strongest in the months of September
and October ; and it is remarkable that at times while they blow
with fury round the coast, even driving ships to sea from the snug
anchorage on the leeward side, a perfect calm exists on the moun-
tain ridge at Diana’s Peak, only 2697 feet higher up.

Clouds often hang over the whole Island, high above the land, lor
several days together, giving rise to the local expression, “ a covered
day.” They seem spread out over the land like a huge umbrella,
as a protection to young verdure from the fierce rays ol the sun.

Rainy seasons happen twice in the year — in summer and winter ;
the summer rains are heavy, the latter light and misty, but continuous.
At each period heavy floods are likely to occur, doing considerable
damage to gardens and roads, which latter are necessarily very steep.

* Appendix, pp. 396, 397. t Appendix, p. 398.

c c 2

388

ST. HELENA.

On these occasions much of the surface soil, which, excepting in the
hollows and ravines, scarcely extends to ten feet in depth, is also
washed away ; and trees, pigs, poultry, with other things, are occa-
sionally carried down by the swollen mountain torrents to the sea.
Such floods have long been noted, as the following extract from the
records shows : —

“5 May, 1719. — On Saturday last there was such vast floods
of water descended from about the middle of this Island as did
abundance of damage, and wee think it was a water spout that broke
about the main ridge because the water did not fall in shores
after the usuall manner, but descended from the top of that hill
with mighty floods and torrents. It carryed away the soile in an
incredible manner with both grass, trees, yams, and stone walls
before it. It brought down rocks of a mighty bulk, and covered
abundance of fruitfull land w‘- stones, the fine earth being washt
away in such great quantity’s that the Sea for a great way round
about the Island lookt like Black Mudd.”

Although periodical seasons of great drought visit the Island,*
sometimes extending over four or five years at a time, the natural
seasons, with abundance of rain, always return. The amount of
rain which falls at the present time cannot account for the cutting-
out of the ravines and valleys which exist, and it must, many thou-
sand years ago, have been much greater. Most probably at that
time the mountain tops were covered with snow, and the continual
run of snow-water down to the lower land may have aided very
considerably in cutting out those ravines.

The present amount of rainfall varies very much in different
localities, and, as might be expected, very much less falls in James-
town on the low coast than at Diana’s Peak on the high mountain
ridge. General Lefroy, B.A., recorded the following result of nine
months’ experiment : — •

Near Diana’s Peak,

2644 ft.

above the

sea, 22'63 in.

of rain.

A spot below ditto

1991

do.

27-11

do.

Longwood . .

1782

do.

43-42

do.

J amestown . .

414

do.

763

do.

Governor Beatson also recorded the average fall during four years,

)

* Great droughts occurred in 1713, 1724, 1738-39, 1747-48, 1752, 1759, 1772 1779-80
and 1792. MSS. Records. ’ ’

meteorology.

389

1810-13, at Plantation House, 1500 ft. above the sea, as 3P63 in.
of rain.

And other records show that in the year 1862 the fall was

at Ladder Hill, on the j qqq q._ a^ove the sea, 18*85 in. of rain,
sea coast . . .

in James’ Valley . . 250 do. 9*00 do.

An average of thirty inches may be taken as a mean annual fall,
but with so great a variation in different localities, it affords a figure
of little value. The mean annual average at Longwood during five
years was 4719 inches, the greatest occurring in 1842, and the lowest
in 1845, the former measuring 90*46, and the latter 19*41 inches.

It has been considered that 140 days out of the year are rainy
days j but the high central ridge is scarcely ever four-and-twenty
hours without clouds resting on it, and distilling moisture.

Very little, indeed scarcely any, barometric pressure is exer-
cised, but it is very systematic and regular. The mean pressure
during five years at Longwood was observed to be 28'2S5 in. lhe
greatest observed depression was 28*094 in., on the 14th March, 1843;
and the greatest elevation 28*497 in., on the 9th July, 1842 : giving
0*403 in. as the extreme range. March, being the lowest month,
showed a mean of 2S*232 in. ; and July, the highest, 28*367 in. ; so
that the range in the different months was 0*135 in. The mean
diurnal variation being recorded at *074 in. It has been noticed
that during those months when the barometer is highest, the tempe-
rature is lowest, and when the barometer is lowest, the temperature
is highest. The mean height of the barometer at the sea level, at

Prosperous Bay, was 30*08 in.f

During five years the mean elastic force of aqueous vapour
at Longwood was *470 in. ; the mean in the different months varied
from a maximum of *559 in. in March, to a minimum of *411 in. m
August. The range in the different months was *148 in., and the

diurnal range *032 in. \

The mean gaseous pressure, on dry air, obtained by deducting
the elastic force of the vapour from the total barometric pressure was
found to be 27*816 in., with a minimum in March ot 27*666 m
and a maximum in July of 27 018 in. The range in the different
months was -282 in., and the diurnal range -074 m.S

* Appendix, p. 400.

t Appendix, p. 401.
§ Appendix, p. 403.

J Appendix, p. 402.

390

ST. HELENA.

The mean degree of humidity of the air was 87.* There is a
considerable difference between rainfall and evaporation; and at
Ladder Hill, / 00 ft. above the sea, in the year commencing 12th
February, 1800, the excess was observed to be 81 -42 in. It must
be borne in mind, however, that the station where this was noticed

is situated on the low land, near the sea coast, on the leeward side

a spot where comparatively little rain falls.

The rise and fall of tide is almost imperceptible, the maximum
being, at times of new and full moon, only 2 ft. 10 in., and the
establishment 2h. 9m. Perhaps the most remarkable of any
phenomena connected with the Island is that known as The
Hollers, or huge rolling waves, which have from time to time
caused much loss of life and property, and which are as well known
at Ascension as at St. Helena. The Hollers usually set in during the
early part of the year; and the greatest and most destructive on
record occurred in the month of February, 1846. At St. Helena,
on the 1 6th of that month, there was nothing uuusual to attract the
attention of the quiet inhabitants of the peaceful settlement of
Jamestown, unless it was the marked stillness of the calm that pre-
vailed, the S.E. Trade wind having entirely lulled for about ten days
leaving an oppressive sultry atmosphere. The barometer had
risen rapidly, and stood high, and the atmosphere was dense and
heavy, with thick clouds obscuring the sky. In the evening, towards
sunset, a few waves commenced to break upon the beach in front
of the town, but there was nothing very striking in this common
occurrence. Through the night, however, the waves increased, and
at daybreak on the following morning the surface of the sea opposite
the town had assumed the appearance of a sheet of foam, broken only
by tremendous waves, which came like so many rolling mountains
chasing one another, carrying everything before them, and breaking
near the shore. All this disturbance was within half a mile
from the coast ; the ships lying at anchor beyond that dis-
tance not being affected, while those within, some thirteen in num-
ber, including eleven captured slave ships, were, in the short space
of seven hours, dashed into atoms. One of them, the Descobrador,
a Brazilian brig of 127 tons burden, was with her anchors and cables
literally lifted up , carried broadside on to the English schooner
Cornelia, and both together driven on to the shore. So little notice

* Appendix, p. 399.

ROLLERS.

391

had been given that there was not even time to remove the ship-
keepers who were on hoard of the slave ships. Some of them
escaped to other ships in the roadstead ; hut as the Descobrador
struck the beach broadside on, and sea after sea broke over hei,
the keeper, with his wife and a Lascar servant, were seen hold-
ing on by the rails of the vessel, appealing for help. Whi e
they remained in this perilous position, Mr. Ohatfield, of H.M.S.
Flying Fish, attempted to gain the vessel with a rope, but was unable
through the violence of the waves; but, after an unsuccessfu
attempt to fire a rocket and line across the wreck, an American
sailor, named Roach, had the satisfaction of reaching it. Wit 1
a rope he lashed himself and the woman together, and jump-
ing into the waves both were drawn to the shore. The keepei
and the Lascar jumped overboard, and in a momentary lull were
both also saved. Not ten minutes did the whole of this occupy,
and scarcely was the work of destruction over, when another slaver
was driven from her anchors on to the shore; and then another, a
splendid yacht-built schooner, the Jquilla, followed immediately, both
beim* in the space of one moment shivered into a mass of splinters
against the rocks. Ere mid-day arrived the rollers increased in size
all along the leeward coast, the water on the southern side of the
Island remaining quite undisturbed, and ship after ship shared a
similar fate Two Brazilian schooners, the Fnfranzia and the tepe-
rmaa. were engulfed by huge wa.ee sweeping over them ; one of
them sunk where she was in an instant, while the other drifted out to
sea a total wreck. But at one o’clock the biggest wave of
all a tremendous rolling mountain of water, came m toward s e
shore, with every appearance of sweeping everything, even the
Island itself, away. So huge was it that all behind it, almost even
the very light of the sun, was shut out from the terrified spectators.
The roaring of these waves could be heard for several miles inland ;
and one gentleman, long resident there, told me that never before in
his life had he been so frightened as he was when he saw them In
one of these enormous waves the English brig Socket, of 230 tons,
was lifted with her hull in a vertical position, her bows up, and her
stern down, and as the wave broke not a single trace of her was
seen The scene of devastation was not at sea alone, for the same
wave came rolling along the wharf, tearing down large iron water-
tanks and strongly-built iron cranes, one of which it earned fifty

392

ST. HELENA.

yards or more into the coal-yard, and dashing with the utmost fury
against the cliff carried away a balcony, which but half-an-hour
before had been vacated by thirty or forty spectators. The whole
scene is described as one of wild and awful grandeur; the sea and
the shore being everywhere covered with broken boats, spars,
casks, timber, all floating in one huge boiling surge. The o-lacis
and the lines of Jamestown were impassable through wreck of every
description scattered about: coal-yards, wharf, and sea walls bat-
teries and cannon, were swept down. At six o’clock in the evening
no abatement occurred, and two other ships, the Quatro de Marco
winch hitherto, held by four anchors, had withstood the fury
of the sea and the Julia, a Brazilian, were dashed to pieces on
the wes rocks The destruction of these ships was as instantaneous
as a child would crush a fragile toy. The former vessel was seen
with masts standing, only a moment before she floated a thou-
sand pieces in the surge. The latter was rolled over just as if
the waves were playing at football or cricket with her, and eventually
lodged high up on the west rocks against the cliffs of Ladder Hill
At Eupert s Valley the sea rolled inland a distance of 21G feet’
Eleven ot the destroyed ships were condemned slavers, and of no
great value ; therefore the estimated damage done did not exceed
10,000/. This oceanic phenomenon occurs^with greater Le and
moie lequency at the Island of Ascension, in lat. 7° 58-^ S and
long. 14" m- w where communication between ship/ ani th!
shore is completely stopped for a week or more at a time.
Through the kindness of Captain Wilmshnrst, B.N., I was able
during t ie year commencing September, 1867, to make a com-
parison ol the time and force of the rollers at each Island* It
appears that they set in at Ascension, upon the average, one to
seven days sooner than they do at St. Helena, and that their course
is south or south-easterly from the Equator, breaking against the
northern shores only of both Islands. Although they happen at any
period of the year, they appear chiefly in the months of December
to March, usually occurring with greatest force in February, f

* Appendix, p. 404.

T Extracts from 3£SS. Island Records :

tas intirel, torl * g„. ‘f a VS

ROLLERS.

393

Popular opinion lias ascribed the cause of the Pollers to dis-
tant submarine volcanic action, but they occur with too much
regularity to admit this reason, and I believe them to be due
to oceanic currents, influenced by atmospheric pressure ; in fact,
a return wave, caused by the meeting of the Antarctic waters
with the great Equatorial current of the Gulf Stream, and in-
fluenced by the North-east Trade winds. It is during the Poller
months that the sun lias greatest power in the Tropical Southern
Hemisphere, and therefore the greatest amount of evaporation takes
place ; consequently the flow of cold water from the Antarctic regions
towards the Equator is then most abundant and most rapid ; as this
current gets well warmed by the time it approaches the Line, it is
hotter than the water of the great Equatorial current flowing south
round Cape Yerde, which it meets in latitude 4° South. These
waters coming into violent collision, and not readily mixing because
of difference in temperature, must result in a return current either
northward or southward. This return takes place in the latter
direction, after the Equatorial current has been forced to flow out
on either side against the Brazilian and the African continental
coasts.* The Equatorial current being at its maximum of strength at
this period of the year is to a great extent due to the influence of the
North-east Trade winds upon it, for it is their period of greatest force
and most southern latitude. During the months of December to May
the Equatorial limit of the North-east Trades is 5° to 7°N. la,., ex-
guns away, for we had enough to do to save them. The same high seas has also broke the
middle angle of the Trench in James Valley for a matter of one hundred and ten foot, and has
damaged the angle where the round tower is of one gun insomuch as it was like to tumble
(j0Wn!— These high seas sunk the punt and broke her loose, also the yaul, and nearly washed
down the crane.”

“ 5 April , 1715 — Wc think that a ship that arrives here about Christmas cannot pos-
sibly be dispatched in less than a month, because of the very great surfes that usually happens
about that time of the year. We are informed that the latter end of March and beginning of
April is also a time when abundance of high seas do usually happen, and we are the more
confirm’d in such an opinion because the Honhle : Companies long boat wob brought eutt stone
from Sandy Bay, woh is at the Windermost part of the Island, has been laden these nine days,
and is still loaden at a grapling in this road, hut the surf is so high and violent that we dare
not attempt to unload her, neither with these seas is it possible that any boat with safety can
come to tlie crane to be unlivered.”

« 12th April, 1715. This being the first day the Surfe abated the long boat was dis-

patched again for Sandy Bay, and the Governor mencond it that it might appear w hat great
seas we have sometimes, hut especially at this time of year, for now the great seas have held
nineteen days, and the long boat was unloaden with much difficulty by smaller boats.”

Rollers are also referred to as having occurred in March, 1717; December, 1733; Feb-
ruary, 1720; and April, 1743.;

394

ST. HELENA.

tending as far as 2° N. in February and March ; while for the rest of
the year they only reach as far as 10° 62' N * Their proportionate
iorce is also during the same periods, between the parallels of 10° to
lo0]^. lat., as 7-41 to 483.f

Some idea of the enormous force with which these waters meet
and send back the Antarctic current against the shores of Ascension
and St. Helena, may be obtained from the following extract from
Admiral Semmes’ Voyages :{

* ^°r the next fe'v days, we encountered a remarkable easterly
current, the current in this part of the ocean being almost constantly
to the westward. This current, which we were now stemming- for
we were sailing towards the north-west-retarded us as much as fifty
imles in a single day ! So remarkable did the phenomenon appear
that if I had noticed it but for a single day I should have been in-
c ined to think that I had made some mistake in my observations
or that there was some error in my instrument j but we noticed it
clay after day for four or five days.

Contemporaneously with this phenomenon, another and even
more wonderful one appeared. This was a succession of tide-rips
so remarkable that they deserve special description.

“The Sumter lay nearly stationary during the whole of these
phenomena, the easterly current setting her back nearly as much as
she gained under sail. She was in the average latitude of 5°H
and average longitude of 42° W. For the first three days, the rips
appeared with wonderful regularity, there being an interval of just
twelve hours between them. They approached us from the south
and travelled towards the north. At first only a line of foam would
be seen on the distant horizon, approaching the ship very rapidly.

s it came nearer, an almost perpendicular wall of water, extending
east and west as far as the eye could reach, would be seen, the top
of the wall boiling and foaming like a breaker rolling over a
rocky bottom. As the ridge approached nearer and nearer it
assumed the form of a series of rough billows, jostling against mid
strugg ing with each other, producing a scene of the utmost confu-
sion, the noise resembling that of a distant cataract. Reaching the
ship, these billows would strike her with such force as to send'their

* Horsburgh. , -

+ lMr Adventures Afloat. By Admiral Semmes. am7'

BOLLEBS.

395

spray to the deck, and cause her to roll and pitch as though she were
amid breakers. The phenomenon was, indeed, that of breakers, only
the cause was not apparent, there being no shoal wrater to account
for it. The Sumter sometimes rolled so violently in these breakers
when broadside to, that we were obliged to keep her oif her course
several points to bring the sea on her quarter, and thus mitigate the
effect. The belt of rips would not be broad, and as it travelled very
rapidly- — fifteen or twenty miles the hour — the ship would not be
long within its influence. In the course of three-quarters of an hour
it would disappear entirely on the distant northern horizon. So
curious was the whole phenomenon, that the sailors as well as the
officers assembled, as if by common consent, to witness it. ‘ There
come the tide-rips !’ some would exclaim, and in a moment , there
would be a demand for the telescopes, and a rush to the ship’s side
to witness the curious spectacle. These rips have frequently been
noticed by navigators, and discussed by philosophers, but hitherto no
satisfactory explanation has been given of them. They are like the
bores at the mouths of great rivers — as at the mouth of the Amazon,
in the Western Hemisphere, and of the Ganges in the Eastern— great
breathings or convulsions of the sea, the causes of which elude our
research. These bores sometimes come in, in great perpendicular
walls, sweeping everything before them, and causing immense de-
struction of life and property. I was at first inclined to attribute these
tide-rips to the lunar influence, as they appeared twice in the twenty-
four hours, like the tides, and each time near the passing of the
meridian by the moon ; but, in a few days, they varied the times of
their appearance, and came on quite irregularly, sometimes with an
interval of five or six hours only. And then the tidal wave, for it
is evidently this, and not a current, should be from east to west it
it were due to lunar influence ; and we have seen that it travelled
from south to north. Nor could I connect it with the easterly cur-
rent that was prevailing, for it travelled at right angles to the current,
and not with or against it. It was evidently due to some pretty
uniform law, as it always travelled in the same direction.”

appendix.

396

ST. HELENA.

Table showing the Extreme Range, in each Month during a Period of Five Years, of th

Thermometer, observed at Longwood.

APPENDIX.

397;

393

ST. HELENA,

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400

ST. HELENA,

appendix.

401

correction to the Bojal Secret,’. Flint-gloss Standard Barometer.

Mean Elastic Force

402

ST. HELENA,

Mean Gaseous Pressure for the Period from 1841 to 1845 inclusive, observed at longwood, 1764 Feet

APPENDIX.

403

+ *007 correction to the Royal Society’s Flint-glass Standard Barometer.

404

ST. HELENA

Observations at Noon Daily at Ascension and St. Helena during Twelve
Months , from September, 1867, to August, 1868.

September, 1867.

November, 1867.

Day.

Ascension.

St. Helena.

Day.

Ascension.

St. Helena.

I

Slight rollers

Slight surf, N.W.

I

Calm

Calm.

2

Slight Burf

Calm.

2

Calm

Calm.

3

Calm

Calm.

3

Calm

Calm.

4

Slight surf

Cal m.

4

Calm

Calm.

5

Calm

Calm.

5

Calm

Calm.

6

Calm

Calm.

6

Calm

Calm.

7

Culm

Calm.

7

Slight rollers

Calm.

8

Calm

Calm.

8

Medium rollers, N.W.

Slight surf, N.

9

Calm... ...

Calm.

9

V ery high rollers, N.W.

Heavy surf, N. \V,

IO

Calm

Calm.

IO

Slight surf

Slight surf, N.W.

I I

Calm

Calm.

i r

Calm... ...

Slight surf, N.W.

12

Calm

Calm.

12

Calm ...

Calm.

13

Calm

Calm.

13

Calm

Calm.

14

Calm

Calm.

14

Calm

Calm.

15

Slight surf .

Calm.

15

Slight surf

Calm.

t6

Slight surf ,

Calm.

16

High rollers, N.W

Calm.

17

Calm ..

Calm.

17

Medium rollers, N.W.

Calm.

18

Calm... ...

Calm.

18

Slight surf

Calm.

1 9

Calm...

Calm.

19

Calm.., .. ...

Calm.

20

Calm

Calm.

20

Calm

Calm.

21

Calm

Calm,

21

Calm

Calm.

22

Slight surf

Calm.

22

Calm

Slight surf, N.W.

23

Medium rollers, 1ST. W.

Calm.

2 3

Calm ...

Slight surf, N.W.

24

Medium rollers, N.W.

Slight surf, N.W.

24

Calm

Slight surf, N.W.

35

Slight surf

Calm,

25

Calm

Slight surf, N.W.

26

Calm

Calm.

26

Calm...

Slight surf, N.W.

27

Calm

Calm.

27

Calm

Calm,

28

Calm...

Calm.

28

Calm,.. ...

Calm.

29

Calm... ...

Calm.

29

Calm

Calm.

30

Calm

Calm.

3°

Calm ... ...

Calm.

October, 1867.

December, 1867.

Day.

Ascension.

St. Helena.

Day.

Ascension.

St. Helena.

1

Calm

Calm.

I

Calm

Calm.

2

Calm

Very slight surf.

2

Calm

Calm.

3

Calm

Calm.

3

Calm

Calm.

4

Slight surf

Very slight surf, N.W.

4

Calm ...

Calm.

5

Calm

Calm.

5

Calm...

Calm.

6

Calm

Calm,

6

Calm

Slight surf.

7

Calm... ... ... ...

Calm.

7

Cal m

Calm.

8

Calm ...

Calm.

8

Calm

Calm.

9

Calm... ...

Calm.

9

Calm

Calm.

IO

Calm.. ...

Calm.

IO

Calm

Calm.

II

Calm

Calm.

ir

Slight surf ... ...

Calm,

12

Calm

Calm.

12

Slight surf

Calm.

13

Calm.

Calm.

13

Slight rollers, N.

Slight surf, N.W.

!4

Calm... ^

Calm.

>4

Slight rollers, N.

Slight rollers, N.

15

Calm

Calm.

15

Slight surf

Slight rollers, N.

16

Calm

Calm.

16

Slight surf

Slight surf, N.

17

Calm

Calm.

17

Calm

Slight surf, N.

18

Calm... ... ...

Slight surf, N.

18

Slight surf

Slight surf, N.

*9

Calm

Slight surf, N.W.

19

Calm

Slight surf, N.

20

Slight surf ...

Slight surf, N.W.

20

Calm

Slight surf, N.

21

Slight Burf

Slight surf, N.W.

21

Calm... ...

Calm.

22

Slight surf

Slight surf, N.W.

22

Calm

Calm.

23

Slight surf

Calm.

23

Calm

24

Slight rollers, N.W.

Calm.

24

Calm ...

25

Slight rollers, N.W.

Calm.

25

Calm

26

Slight surf ... ...

Calm.

26

Calm

Calm.

27

Calm...

Calm.

27

Slight surf

Slight surf, N.W.

28

Calm

Calm.

28

Slight rollers, N. ...

Calm.

29

Slight surf

Very slight surf, N.W.

29

Slight rollers, N.

Heavy surf, N.W.

3°

Slight surf

Very slight surf, N.W.

3°

Calm

Heavy surf, N.W.

1 31

Culm

Calm.

3.

Slight surf

Heavy surf, N. W.

appendix.

405

Observations at Noon Daily at Ascension and St. Helena daring Twelve
Month, from September, 1867, to August, 1868.

January, v868.

March, 186S.

Day.

Ascension.

Medium rollers, N..
Medium rollers, N.,
Slight surf -

Calm

Calm

Slight surf
Medium rollers, N.
Medium rollers, N.
Slight surf ...

Calm

Calm,

Slight rollers, N.
Medium rollers, N,
Medium rollers, N,
Slight surf

Calm

Ca -

Calm

Calm... ••

Slight rollers, N.
Slight rollers, N.
Slight surf ...
Slight surf
Calm... ...

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight rollers, N.
Slight rollers, N.

I Slight rollers, N.

St. Helena.

Day.

Slight surf, N.W,
Heavy surf, N.W.
Slight rollers, N.W.
Slight rollers, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N. 'V.
Sight surf, N.W.
Heavy surf, N.W.
Heavy surf, N.W.
Heavy surf, N.W,
Slight surf.

Heavy surf.

Heavy surf, N.
Medium rollers, N.
Medium rollers, N,
Heavy surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Calm.

Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.

Ascension.

Slight rollers, N.W..

Slight surf

Calm

Calm ...

Calm

Slight surf

Slight rollers, W. ..
Slight rollers, W. ..

Slight surf

| Calm *■

Calm

Culm •

Calm

Calm

Calm ••• ■

Calm

slight rollers, N.E .
Slight rollers, N.E. .
Medium mtters, N.,
Slight rollers, N.
Slight surf

Calm

Calm

Slight surf ...

Calm

Calm

Slight surf

Calm

Calm

Calm

St. Helena.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf.

Calm.

Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Very slight Burf.
Calm.

Slight surf, N.W.
Heavy surf, N.
Heavy surf, N.
Slight surf.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm

Calm

Calm... ... •••

Calm

Calm •••

Calm

Calm

Medium rollers, N W.

Slight surf

Calm

Calm

Calm... —• ...

Calm... ... •**

Calm

Calm

Calm *

Calm... ... •••

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

| Slight rollers, N.W.

Calm ••

I Calm

Calm

j Calm

Slight surf, W.
slight rollers, W. ..

Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.

;ht surf, N.W.

. lm.

Calm.

Calm.

CitlUl*

Slight surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, N -W.
Slight surf, N.W .
Calm,

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

I Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, N.
Slight surf, N.
Calm*

Calm.

Calm.

Calm **■

Medium rotters, N.W.

Slight rollers, N.W...

Slight surf

Calm...

Calm...

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight surf, N. —
Slight rotters, N. ...
Slight rollers, N.

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight surf

Calm "

Medium rollers, ” ••

Slight surf

Calm... ... ■ •*

Calm •'

Culm ••• •'

Slgnt rotters, N. .

Cairn

Calm

Sliglit surf, N .W.
Slight surf, N.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Very slight surf.
Sliglit surf, N.W.
Slight surf, N .W.
' ,t surf, N.W.

Calm.

Very sliglit surf.
Very slight surf.
Very slight surf.
Very slight surf.
Very slight surf.
Very slight surf.
Very slight surf.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, N.
Slight surf, N.
Slight surf, N.

406

ST. HELENA.

M at A im a,d & Behm
Months, from September, 1867, to Avgust , 1868. J

Mat, 1868.

Pay- Ascension

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 1

12

13

14

'5

16

>7

18

r9

20

21

22

23

24

I

26

27

28

29

30

3'

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight surf ...
Slight surf

' Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

calm ;;;

Calm

Calm

Slight surf
Slight rollers, X.
Medium rollers, X.

Calm

Calm

Slight surf .’.’ '

Slight surf ... .

Calm

Calm

Calm...

Slight surf
Slight rollers, X.
Slight rollers, X. W.,

St. Helena.

Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X. VV.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Cairn.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

| Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf.

I Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 11

12

13

14

15

16
, 17

18

19

20

21

22 I

23 |

24

2 5

26

27

28

29
3°

June, 1868.

Ascension.

Calm...

Calm...

Calm

Slight surf

Calm

Slight surf

Medium rollers, X.W.
Medium rollers, X....'
Slight rollers, X. ...

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm ;;; ;;;

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight surf

Slight rollers, X.W.’
Slight surf, X.W. ..'
High rollers, W.

■High rollers, W. .’’
Medium rollers, X.W,

Calm

Calm

Calm...

Calm...

Calm...

Calm...

Calm...

Calm...

St. Helena.

Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surlj X.W!
Calm.

Slight surf, X.
Slight surf, X.
Slight surf, X.
Medium surf, X.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Calm.

Calm,

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X. W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf. X. W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Hay.

1

2

3

4
3
6

7

8
9

10

1 1

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20
2r

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29
3°

3i

Jolt, 1868.

Ascension .

St. Helena.

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm...

Slight surf

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm ;;

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight rollers, X.W.
Medium rollers, X...
Slight rollers, X.

Cairn

High rollers, W. ...
High rollers, N.W
Slight rollers, W.

Calm

Calm ”

Slight rollers, X.W.”’

Calm

Calm

Slight rollers, W.
Medium rollers, X.W.
Slight surf

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Very slight surf.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Heavy surf, X.W.
Heavy surf, X. W.
Heavy surf, X.W.
Heavy surf, X.W.
Calm .

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, X.W.
Slight surf, X. W.
Slight surf, X.W.

Day.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

'5

16

'7

18

'9

20

21

22

23

24
2o

26

27

28

29

30

3>

August, 1868.

Ascension.

Calm ...

Calm...

Calm

Calm

Calm

Slight rollers, X. ...
Slight surf

Calm

Slight rollers, W. "’
Slight rollers, X.W.
Slight surf

Calm

Slight surf

•Slight surf ... .

Calm

Slight rollers, X.W...
H igh rollers, W. ...
Medium rollers, X.W.

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm

Calm... ...

Calm

Slight rollers, X.W...
Medium rollers, X.W.
High rollers, N.W....
Medium rollers, X.W,
Medium rollers, X.W.
Slight rollers, W. ...

St. Helena.

Slight surf, X.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Heavy surf, X.W.
Slight surf.

Sligh t surf.

Calm.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf.

Slight surf.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, X.W.
Calm.

Calm.

Slight surf, X.W.

APPENDIX.

407

Telegraph Stations, showing the Distance and Bearings by Compass
that Ships can be seen from each.

Sea View.

Dis-

Stations.

Windward.

Leeward.

tance.

Alarm House

Bankses

Casons

High Knoll*

Longwood*

Longrange

Ladder Hill*

Man and Horse
Prosperous Bay
Plantation Gate*
Sugar-loaf Hill

Sandy Bay

Jamestown*

E.N.E. to S.E

S.E. "to S.'W.'by S." ...

E. to E S.E

N.E. by E. to S. by W —
E.N.E. to W. by S. ...

N.N.E. to S.S.W.

N.E. to E

E.S.E. to W.S.W.

N.W. by N. to N.E. by N.
W. by S. to E.N.E. ...

W. to E.N.E

W. by S. to N.E. by E. .
N.W. by W. to N.

W. to N.E

S. by E. to N.E. by E....

N.W. by W

W.S.W. to E.S.E

W.N.W. to N. by E. ...

Leagues.

22

6

24

20

22

23

12

20

l8

20

i5

9

4

Those marked * only are now retained, and communicate with each other by electric telegraph.

Distances by Hoad to Various Places on the Tsland.

From Mess House Jamestown, by Side

Path, to

Two Gun Saddle . . .

Gordon’s Post ....
Alarm House ....

Hutts Gate

Longwood

Ditto, Past Hutts Gate, to
Arno’s Vale ....
Level Wood ....
Rock Rose Hill . . •

Ditto, Past Gordon’s Post, to

Hunts Gut

Rural Retreat ....
Lemon Tree Gut . . .

Stitches Ridge . . . •

Howard’s Gate ....

Peak Hill

Francis Plain . . ■ •

Red Hill House . . .

Miles.

2 1
2 4.

3 1
4f

4f

6§

81

2 i

34

4

4f

5
4

4l

5s

From Mess House Jamestown, by Lad-
der Hii.l, to

Ladder Hill 1

Red Hill House 2s

Plantation House Gate . . -3s

Bates’ Branch

Casons Gate 4s

From Mess House Jamestown, by

Lad-

der Hill, to

Sandy Bay Ridge Gate . .

Miles.

• 4f

Ploward’s Gate

• 5i

Bamboo Hedge

• 64

Sandy Bay Guard ....

• 98

Ditto, Past Elder Cottage, to

Green Hill

Powels Valley

• 7i

Rock Rose Hill

• 8|

West Lodge

. 6|

Bottleys

• li

From Mess House, passing above

Plan-

tation House, to

Rosemary Hall

Boyce’s Gate

. 4t

Ditto, Lower Road, to

Cleuglis Plain

• 3

Terrace Knoll

Farm Lodge

• 4

Myrtle Grove

• 5

Ditto, Past Red Hill, to

Francis Plain

• 3i

Ditto, by Barnes’ Road, to

Francis Plain .....

• 24

From Longwood to

Plantation Gate . . . •

• 3s

408

ST. HELENA „

Return of Deaths during Ten Years, classified according to Diseases.
( Seamen and Passengers not included .)

Diseases.

VO

CO

M

N

VO

00

ro

VO

CO

j 1864.

to

VO

00

VO

VO

00

VO

00

M

00

VO

00

Cv

VO

00

d

00

Total.

Abscess

Accidental

Apoplexy

Asthma

Brain

Bronchitis

Cancer

Consumption

Croup

Debility (Infants)

Diarrhoea

Delirium Tremens

Dropsy

Diphtheria

Dysentery

Epilepsy

Fever

Heart

Hooping-Cough

Inflammation — Bowels ...
Inflammation — Lungs ...

Influenza

Leprosy

Liver

Natural Decay ...

Premature Birth

Paralysis

Sore Throat

Syphilis

Tetanus

Teething and Convulsions
Various

0
9
3

1

1

2

1

18

5

9

2
I

5
3

6

3
12

I

O

4
13

0

1

0
18

2

1

2
2
0

10

i7

1

3

3

0

3

5

2

14

0

9

2

0

2

0

9

1

15

4
0

7

6

0

1
1

12

1

2

1
0

2

J5

J4

I

5

0

1

2
1

1
12

2

5

1

0

1

0

9

1
8

2

0
. 2

8

21

1
4

15

3
0
0
0
0
9

10

I

5

3

1

4

5

2

13

0

8

0

0

3
0
2

0
7
7

10

2

1

1
0

2
10

0

0

0

0

0

6
13

2

I

3

0

3
6

1

23

i7

4

2

0
2

1
7

0

17

4

17

4

9

0

0

0

9

0

4

1

0

1

*5

10

O

0
2

1

4
3

5

15

9

12

3

i

1

3

10

2

4

3
0

4

5
0

0

1

4

1

3
0
0
0

4
T5

1

2

0

1

4

9

0
21

1

9

2
0
2
0

9

2

0

8

0

9

16

0

0

1

23

1

2
0

4

0

4

10

0
3

1

0

1

2
I

14

0

9

9

1

2
0

7

0

3
3

0

3

2

1
0

0
13

1
6

0

3

1

3

4

2

5

0

0

4

6
0

13

0

7

19

0

0

0
6

1

5
7

0

5

1
0

0

1

6
0

5

0

3

2
2
7

1

5

0

0

7

1
1

14

0

4

4

0

0

0

4

1

4

2
0

6

3
0
0
0
6
0

3

0
2

1

2

4

9

38

*5

5

33
5°
14

i57

34
76

44

3

18

7

69

XI

75

41

27

46

64

23

3
10

116

9

26

4
14

7

70
104

Total

r52

*35

I25

106

163 ,115

141

103

107

75

1222

INDEX

part i.— historical.

Acclimatization of troops for India,
17

Acreage, 41
Admiralty, 44
African Benefit Society, 41
African establishment at Kupcrt s,
31, 37

African slave trade, 30
African squadron, 31
Africans, edneation of, 41
Africans retnrn to native land, 46
Agriculture, 18, 28, 32, 43
Agricultural improvements, Id
Agricultural Society, 42
Alarm House, 16
A-iiiscctl 2 .

Appearance of island on arrival,

36

Artillery, 17, 29, 32
shantee war, 45
Asses, 2, 13 _

Astronomical observations, 15

3alcombe, Mr., 25
Baptists, 33
Barley, 41

Barracks, 15, 28, 38
Barrenness, 42
Basil, 2

Bazette, Major, 16
Beatson’s experiments, 18
Beatson, suppression of mutiny,

Benevolent Society, 40
Beuuetfs Point, Dutch and at, 5
lieresford, Genl., 17
Bermuda cedar, 35
Bertram, Mr., 33
Bertrand, Marshal, 24
Bertrand’s bouse, 38
Berwick, mutineer, 20
Bishopric, 38
Blackberry, spread oi, L7
Black square, 18
Blight, 42
Brewing, 19
Briars, The, 25, 38
Bricks, 13 ,

British trade, importance of island
to, 28

Broughton, Col., 21

Boeuos Ayres, expedition sent to,

17

Buttermilk Point, 11

Canary Islands, 36
Capabilities for produce, 4d
Cape of Good Hope, garrison sent
to assist at, 17

Cape wine, 19
Carriages, 37
Cat Hole Boad, 33
Cattle, 43 . , -

Cavendish, first visit ot, d
Cemetery, Chinese, IS
Census, 13
Chapels, 40
Chapel Valley, 5
Charter to E. I. Co., 4, 7
Chinese, introduction ot, 18
Chubbs Spring, water conveyed
from, 15

Churches, number ot, 38
Church of England, 33
Church service, irregular per-
formance of, 12
Church Society, 41
Cinchona, introduction ot, do
Civil Establishment, reduction ot,

33

Cianghton, Bishop, 33

Clergymen, 12

Cookburn, Sir w., 24

Colonial chaplain, 33

Colonial office, 44

Colony, as a, mistake 44

Commons, 41

Consulates, 37

Country church, 32

Country, value oi property in, 4d

Crane, 17

Cricket ground, 38

Custom House, 34, 38

Cypress trees, 15

Eccentricities of Gov, Bouchier, 1
Economy, spirit of, 37, 45
Edinburgh, Duke of, visit of, 34
Emigration to Cape of Good Hope,

30

English Mail, arrival of, 36
English take St. Helena, 5
Equatorial regions, 36
European goods, prices of, 37
Europeans, settlement of, 7
Enryalus, H.M.S , visit of, 34
Execution of mutineers, 22
Exhibitions, agricultural and
horticultural, 32
Exotic plants, 23, 35
Expenditure, annual, 29
Expenditure on military works, 44
Exports, 43

Fairs, 38
Farmers, 43
Favourite, 31
Fennel, 2

Fernandez Lopez, 2
Fig trees, 2
Fiie plugs, 28
Fir timber, 43
Ford, Mr., 20
Foreigners, surprise of, 44
Fortifications, 5, 7, 12, 41
Fort James, 5

France and England, war between,
11

Francis and Mary, 10
Francis Plain, 88
Furze, 14

Date trees, 2
Deadwood, 38
Death, sentence of, 16
Debt, 9 ...

Defeue.es, condition ot, 44
Depression, causes of, 44
Discovery, 1
Disorder, period ot, id
Disseut, 33

Drainage of Jamestown, 84

Drinking-houses, 15
Drunkenness, means for preveut-

Duke Crisp, robbery by, 14
Dutch East lndiamen, capture ot,

17

Dutch surrender to Capt. Munden,

6 -an

Dutch take possession, d, o

East India Company, charter to, 7
East India Company take posses-
sion, 4

Gardens, Maldivia and Botanical,
38

Garrison, 17, 23, 29, 42, 44
Garrison during Napoleon’s cap-
tivity, 25
Goats, 2, ]4, 19
Gourguud, Genl., 24
Government, home, 44
Government House, 17, 29, 43
Governor Beale, 5
Beatson, 18
Bennett, 5
Blackmore, 9
Bouchier, 13
Brodie F'raser, 32
Bmoke, 16, 27, 28
Byfield, 13
Clark, 33
Coney, 5
Corneille, 15
Dallas, 28, 42
Drummond Hay, 33

410

INDEX.

Governor Dunbar, 14
Dutton, 5
Elliot, 35
Field, 7

Goodwin, 12, 14
Gore Browne, 33
Hudson Lowe, 24, 43
Hutcbiuson, 14
Jauisch, 36
Jenkins, 14
Johnson, 9
E. Johnson, 13
Kedgwin, 7
Keelinge, 10
Lambert, 14
Lane, 18
Midi lent ore, 29
Munden, 6
Patey, 35
Patton, 17
Pike, 12, 14
Poirier, 11
Roberts, 13
Robson, 17
Ross, Col,, 32
Ross, Sir P., 32
Skottoe, 15
Smith, 13
Stringer, 5
Swallow, 5
Trelawney, 32
Vigors, 33
Walker, 28
Wilks, 23
Gneme, Major, 15
Great Britain, claims on, 31
Guano, export of, 42
Guide boys, 43
Guinea fowl, 2

Halley’s Mount, 15
Halley, visit of, 9
Hanging in chains, 11
Head school, 23
High Peak, 5
Hodson, Capt., 20
Hogs, 2

Holdfast Tom, 6
Hooker, Dr., 35
Horses, 37

Horticultural show, 32, 42
Hospital, Civil, 32
Hotel des invalides, 39
Hotels, 37

Houses, number of, 43
Hussey Charity, 41
Hut’s Gate, 38

Icarus, 24

Impoverishment, through African
slave depAt, 31
Inclined plane, 28, 42
India, troops for, 17
Indigenous plants, 14, 19
Insurrection of soldiers, 9
Intercourse with Europe, 30
Jnvasi.m by the Dutch, 6
Invasion, precautions against, 11

Jackson, plan of, to rob treasury', 9
Jail at Rupert’s, 33

| Jamestown, appearance of, 37
population of, 38
size of, 38
value of, 38
James Valley, 5
Jebb, Col., 33
John de Nova Castella, 2
Jos House, 18
Jury, trial by, 9
Justice, court of, 9

Kalkalli, King, 45
Kedgwin, Capt., lands at island, 6
Kendall, Capt., visit of, 3
Kinnard, Major, 22

La Belle Ponle, 31
Labour, price of, 18
Ladder, 28, 38, 42
Ladder Hill, 37, 42
Ladder Hill Road, 1 3
Lancaster, Capt., visit of, 3
Land, classes of, 4 1
Las Cases, Count, 24
Latitude and longitude, 1
Laws, code of, 9
Lawyer, 12
Lemon trees, 2
Library, 40
’ Lime, 13
Lodgings, 37
Longwood, 38

Longwood, Napoleon’s first visit
to, 25

Longwood, old and new houses. 25
38 * ’

Lougwood, restoration of, 39
Lord’s-day, observance of, 8
Lowe, Sir H., arrival of, 24

Madeira, 36

Magu.tic Observatory, erection of,

S'2

Mangold Wurtzel, 41
Mango trees, 38
Manure, waste of, 42
Mashborne, Capt., 13
Maskelyne, visit of, 15
Masonic lodges, 41
Measles, 17
Mechanics’ .Society, 41
Melliss, G. W., 42
Meteorological observations, 32
Mexican pines, 35
Military offices, 28
Militia corps, 7, 34, 41
Montbolon, Count, 21
Munden, Capt., recaptures island,

Munden’s battery, 6, 13, 37
Murder of Gov. Johnson, 10
Mustard, 2

Mutilation oi Mr. Jenkins by
Spaniards, 14

Mutineers, execution of, 22
Mutiny, 9, 15, 19

Napoleon, arrival of, 24
Napoleon, illness, death, and
funeral of, 26

Napoleon, removal of remains, 31,

Napoleon’s tomb, 37, 39
Napoleon 111., purchase of Long-
wood and the tomb by, 39
Negroes, introduction of, 31
^Nevis, escape of soldiers to, 13
Norfolk Island pine, 35
Northumberland , H.M.S., 24

Oak Bank, 38
Oak trees, 15
Oats, 41
Oliver, slave, 6
Orange treesj 2

Parishes, 40

Parishes, division into, 34
Parsley, 2

Parson reprimanded, 12
Partridges, 2
Pasture, 41
Patton's battery, 17
Pavilion, Briars, 25
Peaches, 2
Peacocks, 2
Peepul trees, 14, 37
Pheasants, 2
Pigs, 2

Plantation house, 17, 29, 43
Pomegranates, 2

Poor, improved dwellings for, 34
Poor society, 41
Portuguese take possession, 2
Post-office, South Atlantic, 3
Potatoes, 41
Poultry, 2

Powell, Mr., unprincipled acts
of, 14

Prince de Joinville, visit of, 31
Prince William of Holland, visit
of, 30

Pritchard, Lieut., 21
Properties, Number of, 43
Prosperity of Island, 12, 26, 29
Public buildings, reconstruction
of, 35
Punch houses, 15
Punishments, 8
Puzzolana, 17

Quakers, 12

Races, 38
Radishes, 2
Red wood, 14
Residences, 43

Retrenchment of expenditure, 36
Revenue, 44
Rice, 43

Roads, 3S, 40, 407
Roman Catholic church, 2
Ruperts Valley, settlement in,

33, 37

Rupert’s, well in, 28

Sabine, Gcnl., 32
Salt, 43

Sampson, Capt., 21
Scenery, 38, 40
j Sceptre, H.M.S., 17

INDEX.

411

Schools, 40
Scotch firs, 15
Sea birds, 1
lions, 1
Seals, 1

Seamen* hospital for, 32
See of St. Helena, 33
Severity of (xov. Pike, 13
Shaddock trees, 2
Sheep, 14, 41, 43
Shipping, 43

Ships captured by French, 11
Shops, 37
Side path, 38
Slander, 9

Slave depot in Rupert’s Valley, 30
ships, 30

trade on coast of Africa, 30
Slavery abolished, 25, 28
abuses of, 29
Slaves, 2

prices of, 18
punishment of, 8
Social society, 41
Soil, 43
Sorrel, 2

Spirits, sale of, abolished, 23
Steam communication with Europe,

35

St. Helena, origin of name, 2

St. Helena register, 23

St. Helena regiment, 29, 32, 44

St. James, church of, 15, 32

St. John, church of, 34

St. Matthew, church of, 34

St. Paul, church of, 32

Stores for garrison, 42

Streets, 38

Suez Canal, 44

Sugar canes, 13

Sunday, observance of, 7

Supreme court, 30

Swauley Valley, 5

Teakwood, 35
Telegraphs, 17, 41, 407
Teneriffe, 36
Termites, 35
Tiles, 13
Timber, 43

Tomb, Napoleon’s, restoration of,
39

Tonnage duty, 32
Tooley, Serg., 15
Tracts on St. Helena, 23
Trade, 43

Transfer of Island from E.I.C. to
Crown, 29

Turkeys, 2
Turtle, 1

Unprincipled acts of Mr. Powell, 14

Vale of the tomb, 32
Valuation of property, 38, 43
Vegetation, native, 13
Venus, transit of, 15
Vice- Admiralty Court, 30
Volunteers, 41
Voyage to St. Helena, 36

Waddington, visit of, 15
War department, 44
Water, conveyance of, to Long-
wood and to St. Francis Plain,
25

Water for ships, 28, 34, 35
Wellington, Duke of, 25
Well in Rupert’s, 28
Wharf, 17, 27
Wheat, 41

White ants, introduction of, 31, 35

Willow trees, 40

Wind, S.E., trade, 36

Wire Bird, 1

Witchcraft, 12

Wright, Major, 22

Yams, 43.

PART II.— GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

Agate, 78

Age, probable, of Island, 51, 67,
70

Alarm ridge, 60
Alluvial soil, formation of, 68
Altitude of Island, 46
Ancient character, 47
Angles of flow of lava, 52
Area, superficial, 72
Argillaceous clay, 78
Arno’s Vale, 59
Asbestos, 78
Ascension, 71, 73, 74
Ashes, 51, 53, 61
Ass's ears, 51

Atlantic, South, geography of,
47

Atmosphere, effect on lavas, 48
Augite, 51, 55, 56, 66, 70
Augitic dikes, 66, 67, 69

Baukses, 71
ridge. 73
Barn Rock, 60
Barn, the, 61, 64, 65
Basalt, 48

at Bay House, 4S
at Coles Rock, 48
Basaltic dike, 70, 72
strata, 66

Bombs, spherical, 52
Bottleys, 60, 62, 61, 66
Boulders at “ Churchyard,” 70
near Lufkins, 70
near Lot’s Wife Wood, 70

Boulders near Thompson’s Wood,
69

Breccias, 61

Building stones, 53, 61

Bulimus auris vulpina, 75

causes of its disappearance, 75
Burnt rock, 63

Calcite, 78
Calcspar, 66
California, 55
Canaries, 47, 74
Carbonate of lime, 77, 78
Casons, 60
Caves, 58

Cavities in lava, 55
Cellular lava, 56
Chabazite, 69, 76
Chalcedony, 78
Challenger, H.M.S., 47
Chimney, the, 72
Chrysolite, 69
“Churchyard,” 60, 66, 70
Cinders, 53, 61, 72
Clays, 48

Clays, report on, by Mr. Mort-
look, 76

Coast cliffs, 46, 55
Coast line, chang. s in, 58
Coast line, length of, 72
Cockburn, Admiral, 46
Coles Rock, 49
Columnar structure, 62
Composition of strata, varieties
in, 53

Continental land, 51, 57
Contour of Island, 46
Cooling slowly, evidence of, 73
Crater, disposal of products f om,
51

early edge of, 49, 52
floor of, 50
formation of, 47
present condition of, 49
scenery of, 49
Crateriform bowl, 64, 66
Crystalline rucks, 50, 70
Crystals of augite, 56
Cuckold’s Poiut, 60
Currents from the eastward,
54

Cylindrical holes in rubble, 54

Dead wood, 61, 65
Decomposition of lavas, 48, 68,
70

Deep valley, 60
cave at, 58

Denudation, 50, 51, 58, 67, 70,
71, 72, 75

Devil’s Hole Ridge, CO
Diana’s Peak, 48, 59, 69
Dikes, 60, 61, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70,
72

hardness of, 51
probable cause of, 65
vitreous edges of, 65
Sandy Bay, 50

Disintegration, 50, 52, 56, 68,

70

412

Displacement, 50
Dog-tooth spar, 78
Dolerite, 69
Dust, 52

Earthquakes, 73
Egg Island, 72
Encroachment by sea, 72
Estimated probable age of
Island, 68

Faults, 50
Fauna, 47
Felspar, 55, 66
Felspathic dikes, 66
grey stone, 50, 70
lavas, 48, 57

Fire, recent marks of, 61, 66
Fishermen, habitations of, 58
Flagstaff Hill, 60
Flint, 77
Flora, 67
Fossil shell, 61
“ Friar,” legend of, 62
Friar’s Ridge, 62
Frying-pan Cove, 58

Geological structure, 47
George’s Island, 59, 72
Gorges intersecting coast, 46, 58,
59.

Granite, 51
Granite-like dike, 66
Green Gate, 74
Green Hill, 60
Gregories, 65
Greystone, 49, 55, 57
Greystme dike, 67
Gwyn Jeffreys, Mr., 75
Gypsum, 78

Half-tree Hollow, 72
Halley’s Mount, 60, 74
Hematite, brown, 66
High Hill, 60, 62, 64
High Knoll 59, 61
High Knoll stone, 61
High Peak, 4S, 60
High Point, 62
Holdfast Tom, 55, 71, 57
Horse Pasture, 60, 62, 63, 64,
73

Horse Point, 55, 57
Horseshoe- shaped crater, 64

Inclination of strata, 48, 49, 57,
61, 62, 64
Iron, 49, 66

Island not part of a continent, 57
Islets off the coast, 72
Isolated poaitiou, 47

James Town, site of, 46
James’ Valley, 61, 64
Jasper, 66, 78
Joho’s Hole, 74

King and Queen, 60

La Caldera, 48
Ladder Hill, 59, 60, 71
Lanark Island, 72

INDEX.

Lateral cone, 61

influence of wind on, 61
Laterite beds, 53, 55, 58, 67, 73
Lava- beds, thickness of, 55
Lava, direction of flow of, 56
ejection of, 62
flow of, 54, 64, 66
non -disturbance of, 56
scum, 59, 61
sheets of, 52
sluggish flow of, 59
squeezing up of, 62
strata, 48
twisted, 62
Lavas, 51

most recent, 57

Ledge, submarine, around Island,
47

Lemon Valley, 58
Length of Island, 46
Limestone, 73

Lithodoinous perforations, 75

Long wood, 61

Lot, 50, 70

Lot Dike, 69, 70, 72

Lot’s Wife, 50, 70

Lot’s Wife Ponds, 72

Lyell, Sir C., 47

Madeira, 71, 74
Man and horse, 60, 66, 72
Manatee Ray, 60, 62, 64, 65, 66
Manatees, 67
Manganese, 49, 57, 75
Marls, 51, 57, 68
Mechauical breaking up of rocks,
70

Merry man’s Hill, 60
Minerals, 75

catalogue of, 76
Mineral spring, 73
Mud beds, 58

volcanic, 51, 52

Natrolite, 76

Newest lavas most felspathic, 56
New Ground, 62
Northern Coast worn away, 71
Northern portion, upheaval of, 60
Northumberland , H.A1.S., 45

Obsidian, absence of, 73
Oceanic volcanoes, 47
Ochre- beds, tints of, 53
Old Joan Point, 71
Olivine, 56, 70
Original form of Island, 57

Palma, 47
Peaked island, 72
Perforations in marl, 7 4
Phonulite, 56
Pierie’s ueveme, 5'*, 54
Plants, casts of, in rabble, 54
Plutonic rocks, 51
Porphyritic lava, 77
Prosperous Bay, 59
Pudding stones, 61
Pumice, 59, 61
Pyrolusite, 57, 75

Quartz, 78

Red marly earth, 64
Red Quarry, 53, 64
Rest, periods of, 52
Rock Cottage, 62, 64
Rollers, action of, 71
Rose Cottage, basalt at, 48
Rubble, volcanic, 52
beds, 53, 58, 70, 73
Rudimentary origin of gorges, 59
Rupert's Beach, 73
Hill, 72
Valley, 61

Sampson s Battery, 61
Sandy Bay, 46
Sandy Bay Beach, 50
crater, 48, 64, 69
Ridge, 46, 48, 51
Schistose dike, 67
Scoriaceous lava, 56, 59, 61
slag, 53
Scum, 62
Sea bottom, 46
currents, 54

effects of, on coast line,
58, 67, 70
salt, 73
Selenite, 78
Serpentine, 73
“ Shaken Rocks,” 66
Shark’s Valley, 59
Shingle, t>7
Shy- path, 55
Silicate of iron, 78
Size of Island, 46, 57
Skolecite, 78

Slopes from ridge to sea, 73
Snails, borings of, 75
Snow, probabdity of, 59
Solfatara, site of, 65
Soundings, 46
Speery Rock, 51, 64, 66, 72
Springs of water, probable cause
of, 74

Stalactite, 78
Stalactitic cave, 58
Stalagmite, 78
Steam, 52

St. Helena, first appearance of,
51

St. Paul’s Island, 47
Stone top, 57, 59, 71
Strata, disjointing of, 64
Stratification, 49, 52, 66
Sub-base of Island, 60
Sub oceanic force, 64
Subteirane in force, 60, 64
Sulphate of lime, 78
Sulphur, absence of, 73
Sun berry Cottage, 59
Surface soil. 4y, o2
Swamps, probable existence of, 75
Swampy Gut, 48

Thompson’s Hill, 58
Thoms, Mr. 46
Tints of rocks, 49
Trachyte, 77

Trade wind, influence of, 61
'tree*, casts of, in rubble, 53
Tufaceous rock, 77
Tufas, 61

index.

413

Turk's Cap, 72
Buy, 60, 65
Valley, 65, 66

Undermining action of sea, 70
Unio sbeppardianus, 61
Upheaval. 60, 64

probable cause or, 65
improbable, 58
Vegetable soil, 48
Vegetation, 49
Vesuvius, 52

Vitreous edges of dikes, 65, 66, 73
Volcanic action, 47, 51
periods of rest, 52
action, cessation of, 57

mud, 70

mud, formation of, 52, 50

Warm spring, 73
Water, 52

effect of, 58

hermetically sealed m lava,

Water, large number of springs of,
74

springs of, 73
Waterfall, the, 64
West Lodge, 60, 69
White Hill, 60
Width of Island, 46
Windward coast cut away, 71
Woodlands, 63

Zeolite, 67, 69

Acanthia lectularia, 199
Acanthomerus, 149
armatus, 152

Acanthurus chirurgus, 105
Acarus domesticus, 218
Acbaea roelk-erta, 1 86
Achatina clavata,. 116
exula'a, 116, 123
subplicata, 1 23
Acheroutia atropos, 181
Aclieta, 167
AcidaJia atlanlica, 187
separata, 186
Actinozoa, 128

Adoretus versutus, bt., 104, r*1
TEgasp. 1204 „„ 95

jlirialitis sanctse helenm, So, an
Africans, 80
Agrotis oblivinsa, loo
pallulula, 183
Albatross, 90
Albieore, 107
Alexander, Mr., 116
Alligators, absence ot, 99
Alpbitobi 'S diapennus, 134, lbu
pioeus, 134, 161
Alysia, eepbalotes, 179
Amaurobius crucifer, 2U)
Ampnlex compressa, l i 1

Anchastus atlanticus, 104, 1*°
Anehoscelis insularis, 18-
Anemones, sea, 128
Annas bo3chus, 96
Anobiuiu confertum, 134, tit
paniceum, 134, 14i
striatum, 134, 147
velatum, 134, 147
Anous stolidus, 98
Anser ferus, 96 -.

Antennarius multiooellatus, 10
pinnieeps, 107
Anthomyia lardaria, 197_

Anti pathos pinnatitida, 12S

Ants, 177

Apamea subvelata, 184
Aphides, 198, 199
Aphis rumieis, 199
sp.l 199

Aphodius lividus, 134 , 144
Apis tnelBlica, 178
Apogou axillaris, 103

PART III.— ZOOLOGY.

Armocerus fasciculatus, 134, 155
Area, dumingonsis, 127
Argiope aurelia, 213, 214
Argonauta argo, 118
Argyrodes epeir®, 210, 21*

Ariadne meHissii, 211
Arteroa convexa, 211
Asc'.cpias butterfly, 180
Aspidomorpha mtlians, 105, too
Asterina tninuta, 219
Attagenus gloriosse, 134, 140
Aulostoma coloratura, 108
Auxis ruebei, 106
Averdevat, 91
Aves, 87

Avicula birundo, 127

Balmna mysticetus, 86
Balanopbyllia sp.? 113, 129
Balanus tiutinnabulum, 295
lialistes liuniva, 112
Banks, Sir J., 160
Barnacles, 205
Bastard Cavalley Pilot, 108
cunning fish, 104
livefinger, 108
hog-fisb, 112
Bates, Mr., 1 < l
Beard- fish, 105
Bedbug, 199
Bee, 130, 178, 131
Beetles, 131
Belone lovii, 110 ..
Bembidium mellissu, 134, 103
Bewicke, Mr., 135
Bird-eye conger, 111
Birds, 87, 200

Black and white butterfly, 180
Blackbird, 89
Black spider, 208
Blatta bicincta, 166
germanica, 166
Blofeld, Mr., 11J 117
Bluebottle fly, 197
Blue butterfly, 181

shark, 112

Booby, 97
Bos taurus, 84
Bott fly, 196
Bottle fish, 112
Botys abstrusalis, l»a

Botys creonalis, 189
oedipodalis, 189
Bowerbank, Dr., 220
Brain coral, 129
Brazilian yellow-wood, 176
Brucbus advena, 135, 157
rufobruuueus, 135, 157
Bugs, 198

Bugula neritina, 128
Bulimi, 115, 118 _

Bulimus auns-vulpina, 116, 117,

121

auris-zovinse, 122
bilabiatus, 116, 122
blofeldi, 116, 117, 122
calidouicns, 122
davvinianus, 116, 122
fossilis, 122
goniostoma, 116, 122
helena, 116, 122
melanostoma, 116
relegatus, 122 ^
sealeianus, 116, 122
shougi, 122
signal us, 122
subplicata, 117, 122
sulcatus, 122
tere helium, 122
Bull’s-eye, 103

Deepwater, 103
Butterflies, 180

Cabbage trees, 149
Cacatua sulphurea, 93
Caecabis ebukar, 94
Cairina mosebatas, 96
Calliphora vnmitoria, 197
Calosoma haligena, 134, 137
belenm, 134, 138
Cambridge, Kev. O. P., 206
Canary, 92
Canis familiaris, 82
Caprella, 121
Caradriua indicata, 185
Caraux crumenophthalmus, 106
dentex, 106
hippos, 106
muroadsi, 106
Carcharias glaucus, 112
obscurus, 113
sp.? 112

414

INDEX.

Cardinal, 92
Caretta imbricata, 99
Carpophilus dimidiatus, 134, 139
hemipterus, 135, 139
Cassidea testiculns, 124
Caterpillars, 180
Cat, 82
Catfish, 118
Ca valley, 106
Pilot, 108
Census, 81
Centipede, 201
Centropristis brasiliensis, 102
Cephalopoda, 118
Cermatia coleoptrata, 201
rubrolineata, 201
Cerostoma anticella, 192
Chserooampa celerio, 181
Chsetodon dichrous, 104
sanctas helenae, 104
Chama gryphoides, 127
Charadnue Kiltlitzi, 88
pecuurius, 87, 95
vnrius, 88
Cheese mite, 218
Cheiraeanthinm mellissii, 209
planum, 209
Chelifer sp.? 207
Chelonia viridis, 99
Chelonobia caretta, 205
Chilomyeterus reticulatus, 111
Chironomus sp.? 194
Chrysalides, 180
Chrysopa congrua, 171
exul, 171
vulgaris, 171
Cidaris metularia, 219
Cirrhitichthys fasciatus, 104
Cirrospilus uireus, 180
Cixius sancta: helenm, 199
Clubiona dubia, 209
Cnemiostoma auronivea, 193
Coal fisb, 106
Coccus cacti, 199
sp.? 200

Cochineal insect, 199
Cochlicopa subplica/a, 116, 122
terebellum, 116, 122
Cochligena fossilis, 116, 122
Cockatoo, 93
Cockroach, 164, 165
Cod, 102
Coleoptera, 131
Columba livia, 93
Columbclla cribraria, 124
Comatulasp.? 220
Cominella lugubris, 124
Conchology, 113
Conger, 111
eel, 110

vulgaris var. nigra, 110
Congromurasna mellissii, 110
Conocephalus mandibularis, 168
Conus irregularis, 123
testudinarius, 123
Coptops bidens, 135, 158
Corals, 128

Coronula balsenaris, 205
Corynetes rufipes, 134, 146
Cosmopbila indica, 185
xauthindyma, 185

Cossyphus pectoralis, 109
Cow, 84
Cow tick, 218
Cowrie, 123
Crabs, 203, 206

Craspedosoma polydesmoides, 202
rawlinsii, 202
sp. ? 202

Creopliilus maxillosus, 134 163
Creosoted deal, 176 ’

Cricket, 164, 167
Crithagra Canaria, 92
butyracea, 92
Crustacea, 203

Oryptamorpha mnso?, 135, 140
Cryptupbagus affinis, 134,’ 141
badius, 134, 141
gracilipes, 134, 141
Cryptops hortensis, 202
Cryptus triangulifer, 179
Culex formosus, 195
inexorabilis, 195
pipiens, 195
Cunning fish, 104
Cunninghamia lanceolata, 176
Curtonierus pilicornis, 135, 158
Cydonia lunata, 134
vicina, 131, 159
Cypraea lurida, 123
rnoneta, 123
spurca, 123
turdus, 123
Cyprinus auratus, 100

Dactylosternum, 135
abdominale, 139
Daddy-long-legs, 195
Daddy-long-leg spider, 21 1
Danais chrvsippus, 180
Darwin, Mr., 113, 115, 179
Death’s head moth, 130, 178, 181
Deepwater greenfisb, 109
Deepwater gurnard, 104
Delphinus sp. ? 86
Denny, Mr., 200

Dermestes cadaverinns, 134, 142
vulpinus, 134, 142
Destruction to property by white
ants, 171
Devil fish, 108
Diadema bolina, 180
Dickie, Prof., 220
Docophorus phaetoni, 200
Dog, 82

Dog-tooth shark, 113
Dolphin, 86
Donkey, 83, 196
Donkey-fiy, 196
Dove, 93
Dragon-fly, 170
Dredging, 115
Dromia vulgaris, 203
Drosophila repleta, 198
Duck, 96

Duncan, Prof., 113, 129
Dung flies, 198
Dysdera crocota, 208
rubicunda, 208

Earthworm, 218
I Earwig, 164, 165

Echeneis naucrates, 107
Echinaster sp. ? 219
Echinometra acufera, 219
Egg bird, 98

Elliot, Sir C., measures for de-
straying white ants, 176
English song birds, introduction
of, 90

Epeira opuntia, 213
solers, 214

Epilaehna cbrysomelina, 135, 159
Epilampra signatnra, 166
Equus asinus, 83
caballus. 83
Estrelda astrild, 91
Eulima n. sp., 126
Eumerus ingens, 195
sp ? 195

Eupleetes madagascariensis, 92
Europeans, 81

Eutbyrrapha sancta; helense,
Evania Isevigata, 178
Exocsetus cyanopterus, 110

Fabricins, 160
Feather stars, 220
Delis domestica, 82
Fernando Po moth, 181
File fish, 112
Filistata condita, 207
Fishermen, 102
Fishes, 100
Fishing banks, 102
Fishing, mode of, 101
Fissureila arcuata, 125
Fivefinger, 108
Flea, 194
Flies, 194
Flounder, 109
Fly catcher, 217
Flying fish, 110
Forbes, Prof.. 114, 116
Forficula flavipes, 165
Fowl, 95

Francolinus afer, 91
clamator, 91
Frigate bird, 90

Gallinula cristata, 89
Callus hankiva, 95
Garden bng, 198
Gasterophilus equi, 1 96
Gelechia ligniferella, 192
sancta? helenm, 192
Geopelia tranquilla, 93
Geophilus Iongicornis, 202
Gibbium scotias, 134, 147
Glyphidodon saxatilis. 108
Gnaphosa lngubris, 208
Gnathocerns cornntus, 134, 161
Goat, 85
Gobblegbeer, 151
Golden spider, 211
Gold fish, 100
Goose, 96

Gracula religiosa, 92
Granny fish, 104
Grasshopper, 164, 168
Gray, Dr., 128
Great land snail, 121
Green caterpillar, 185

INDEX.

415

Greenfish, 109
Green fish, deepwater, 103
Grey parrot, 93
Grigg, 111
Ground dove, 89
Ground hopper, 167, 168
Grubs, 183
Gryllus eapensis, 167
domesticus, 167
marginalia, 168
Guinea fowl, 95
Gunther, Dr. A., 100
Gwyu Jeffreys, Mr., 113
Gygis Candida, 98

Halispongia sp. ? 220
Haplothorax, 137
burchellii, 134
Harting, Mr., 87
Hawk moth, 181
Hawk’s-bill turtle, 99
Hay bug, 218
Heliastes insolatus, 108
marginatus, 108
Helisiga sanctae helente, 119
Helix alexandri, 120
aspersa, 120, 121
bilamellata, 116, 117, 120
biplieata, 116, 120
cutteri, 120
helenensis, 120
polyodon, 116, 120
spurea, 116, 120
Hemidactylus frenatus, 99
Hemiptera, 198
Herminia rectalis, 188
Hermit crab, 203
Heteronychus arator, 134, 144
Heteropoda (Olios) tridentigera,
215

Hippobosca equina, 1 98
variegata, 198
Hippocampus sp. 1112
Hipponyx mitrula, 125
radiatus, 125
Hireus mgagrus, 85
Hog fish, 111
Hog worm, 145
Holantbias fronticinctus, 103
Holoeentrum longipinne, 1 05
Homalota coriaria, 134, 162
Homoeodera alutaceicollis, 134,
157

coriacea, 134, 157
pygmsea 134, 157
rotundipennis, 134, 157
Homo sapiens, 79
Honey bee, 130, 178, 181
Hopatrum hadroides, 134, 160
Horse, 83, 196
Horse-fly, 196, 198
Horse mackerel, 106
House-fly, 197
Humpback whale, S6
Hydrophobia, 83
Hydrozoa, 129

Hylurgus ligniperda, 134, 148
Hymenia recurvalis, 183
Hymenoptera, 177
Hypoderas sp. I 200

Ianthina fragilis, 126
Ichneumon diffinis, 178
flies, 177, 178
latipes, 179
maculifemur, 178
Infusoria, 220
Insects, 129
Issus coleoptratus, 199
Ixodes plumheus, 218

Jack, 103

deepwater, 105
Java sparrow, 91
Julis sanctse helente, 109
Julus pulchellus, 202
sp.? 202
sp.? 202

Kent Saville, Mr., 128
Kingston, 106
Koch, Dr., 207

Lace-wing fly, 171
Lachanodes leucadendron, 160,
152

Ladybird, 159

Lsemophloeus pusillus, 134, 140
Lamarck, 116
Lamellicorns, 137
Lamnaglauca, 113
Lamproehrus, 149
Lantern fish, 111
Lark, 90
Lathercoat, 103
Latrodectus erebus, 212
Layard, Mr., 91
Leia sanotce hclence, 194
Lepas (Pentelasmis) anatifera, 205
Lepidoptera, 180
Lepisma sp. ? 200
Leptus autumnalis, 218
Lepus cnniculus, 81
Leucania extranea, 181
punctosa, 182
Lihellula sp. ? 1 70
Lichia giauca, 106
Ligia aquation, 205
Limax gagates, 118
sp. 1 118
sp. ? 118

Limnobia Bp. ? 195
atlantica, 195
Limpet, 125
Linnet, 91

Linyphia alb'iuaculata, 212
confusa, 212
leprosa, 212
trifididens, 212
Lipeurus proeeUarhe, 200
Lithobius forlicatus, 201
Lithocolletis aurifascia, 192
Lithodomus lithnphagus, 127
Lithotliamnion, 127
Littorina helenas, 125
striata, 114, 125
Lizard, 99

Longitarsus helente, 134, 158
mellissii, 134, 158
Longlegs, 204
Lorius domicella, 93
Lory, 93

Love bird, 93
Lucina, n. sp. ? 127
Lumbrictis rubro-fasciatus, 218
Lycsena bcetica, 181
Lychas, americanus, 207
maculatus, 207

Lycosa (Trocliosa), dolosa, 216
inexorabilis, 217
ligata, 217

Mackerel, 107
Bonita, 106
moth, 200
shark, 113
Mseandrina sp. ? 1 29
Mail gurnard, 105
Mammalia, 79
Manatee, 86
Manatus, sp. ? 86
M ‘Andrew, Mr., 113
Man-of-War bird, 97
Marginella n. sp. ? 123
Megascolex (Perichmta) sanctrn
helenre, 218
Meleagris gallopavo, 95
Mellissius adumbrates, 134, 145
eudoxus, 134, 145
Melopsittaous nndulatus, 93
Meta digna, 213
Meyna rustioalis, 190
Mice, 81

Microxylobius angustus, 134
151

cbevrolatii, 134, 152
conicollis, 134, 152
cossonoides, 134, 151
debilis, 134, 151
dimidiatus, 134, 150
lacertosus, 134, 150
lucifugus, 134, 151
monilicornis, 134, 152
obliteratus, 134, 151
terebr-ans, 134, 151
vestitus, 131, 134, 150
westwoodii, 131, 134, 149
Millepedes, 202
Minute Hies, 198
M‘Lachlan, Mr. 171
Mocking birds, 90
Mollusea, 113
Money spider, 217
Mordella mellissiana, 134, 162
Mosquito, 193, 195
Mother Carey’s chickens, 97
Moths, 180
Mules, 84
Mullet, 102
black, 104
red, 103

Mursena flavopicta, 111
moringa, 111
sanctce helente, 111
unieolor, 111
Murex n. sp. ? 1 24
Musca corvina, 197
domestica, 197
emoda, 197
Muscovy duck, 96
Mus decumanus, 81
musculns, 82
Mussel, 127

416

INDEX.

Mycetsea hirta, 134, 142
Mvnah, 92
Myriapoda, 201
MyripristU jacobus, 105
Myrocouger cumpressus, 111
Mytilus crenatus, 1 1 4, 127
edulis 114, 127

Naasa incrassata, 124
Natiea nitida, 126
Natives, 79
Negroes, 80

Neplioteryx privata, 190
Nesiotes asperatus, 134, 154
liorridus, 134, 154
squamosus, 134, 154
Neuroptera, 170
Noddy, 98

Notioxenns alutaceus. 134, 157
bewickii, 134, 156
dimidiatus, 134, 156
ferrugineus, 134, 157
rufopictua, 134, 156
Novaeula sanctfe heleus, 109
Numida meleagris, 95

Octopus sp. ? 118
Odostomia circiuata, 126
(Edipoda ohumbrata, 168
Old wife, 104
Oniscus asellus, 205
Ophiclitbys regius, 111
Ophiodes hottentotta, 186
Orange bird, 80
Orchestia platensis, 204
Oritliyia williamrii, 214
Orthagoriseus sp.l 112
Ortlioptera, 164
Oslracion qnadricornis, 111
Ostrea crista-galli, 113, 126, 129
Otiorhyncbus sulcatus, 134, 155
Ovis aries, 84
Owen, Prof., 117
Oxen, 84

Oxytelus alutaceifrons, 135, 163
nitidifruna, 135, 163
Oyster, 126

Pacbyotis, 121
Padda oryzivora, 91
Pagurus bernhardns, 203
Painted lady, 180
Pahemon forceps, 204
Palmornis docilis, 93
Palinurus sp. ? 204
Pauchlora madene, 165
Pani8cus piceus, 179
Paper nautilus, 118
Parrakeet, 93
Parrot fish, 109
Partridge, 94
Pasithea pnlchra, 216
Patella eserulea, 125
plumbea, 125
Pavo cristatus, 95
Peach insect, 130
Peach moth, 186
Pea fowl, 95

Pentarthrum snbesecum, 134, 152
Percy, Dr., 117

Periplaneta emittens, 167
repanda, 166
Periwinkle, 125
Phaeton sethereus, 97
Phakellura indica, 188
Phasianus tnrquatus, 94
Pheasant, 94
Pheidole pusilla, 177
Philodroinu.s signatus, 215
Philonthus longicornis, 135, 162
Phoccena sp. ? 86
Pholcus distinctns, 211
phalangioides, 211
Phylica rosmurinifolia, 151
Phymactis sanct® helenae, 128
Physalis atlantica, 129
Physeter raacroccphalus, 86
Physiculus dalwigkii, 109
Pig, 85
Pigeon, 93
Pike fish, 110

Pimpla sanctse helen®, 179, 185
Pinna pernula, 127
Pisces, 100
Plant bug, 199
Platyptilus subnotatus, 193
Plecochilus, 121
Plume moth, 193
Plusia aurifera, 179, 185
limbirena, 185
Plutella cruciferarum, 192
Polyiuixia noMlis, 105
Polyzosteria latipes, 167
oniscoides, 167
subornata, 167

Pomacentrus lencostictus, 108
Pomatomus telescopium, 104
Porceliio sc iber, 205
Porpoise, 86

Portuguese man-of-war, 126, 129
Potato w orm, 191
Prawn, 204
Priacanth us hoops, 103
sp. ? 103

Pristonychus complanatus, 1E5,
138

Procellaria glacialoides, 96
Prodenia testaceoides, 184
Proscratca illepida, 165
Protozoa, 220
Pseudomesoxenus, 153
Psittacula pullaria, 93
Psittacus erithacus, 93
Psoralea pinnata, 151
Psychoda sp. 1 195
Pteromalus ipsea. 179
Pterophonis rutilalis, 193
Pulex canis, 194
irritans. 194
Pupa umbilicata, 122
Purpura rudolphi, 125
Pyralis farinalis, 188
Pyrameis cardui, 180

Quail, Indian, 91

Rabbits, 81
Ranella cselata, 124
Rats, 81
Red eel, 111

Reptilia, 99

Rhaphigaster prasinus, 198
Rhizopertha bifoveolata, 134, 147
pusilla, 134, 148
Rhoiuhoidichthys, sp. ? 109
Rhypticns saponaceus, 103
Right- wha'.e-bird, 96
Rock fish, 109
Rock gurnard, 105
Rock- spear, 110
Rosemary, 151
Rye, Mr., 141, 163

Salarias atlanticus, 108
Saida, sp. ? 199
Salticns adansonii, 217
illigeri, 217
inexcultus, 217
nigrolimbatus, 217
subinstructns, 217
Sand-spear, 110
Sand stars, 219
Saprinus lautus, 135, 143
Sarcophaga lueraonboidalis, 197
Sargns capens'S, 104
Saurns atlanticns, 110
rnyops, 110
Scalaria modesta, 126
Scarus strigatas, 109
Scatophaga mudaria, 198
stercoraria, 197
Sciobius subnodosus, 134, 155
Scleroheba hirtella, 113, 129
Scolopendra angusta, 201
canidens, 201
leachii, 201
morsitans, 201
Scomber colias, 107
Scoparia lucidalis, 190
nigritulis, 190
Scopnls delineatalis, 189
fcrrngalis, 189
Scorpion, 207
Scorpoena, mcllissii, 104
scrofina, 105
Scyllartts latus, 203
Scytodes tboracica, 211
Sea acorns, 205
Sea cockroach, 204
Sea cow, 86
Sea egg, 219
Sea horse, 112
Sea shells, 123
Sea snake, 111
Sea star, 219
Sea tree, 128
Sea urchin, 219
Sea worm, 128
Seale, Mr., 116
Sebastes nigropunctatus, 105
Segestria perfida, 208
senoculata, 208
Serbia lalandii, 106
Serpent-fish, 107
Serranus impetiginosus, 103
Shark, 111
gharpe, Mr., 91
Sheep, 84
Shellfish, 203
Shell parrot, 93
Shells, 113

INDEX.

417

Silvanus surinamensis, 135, 140

Silver eel, 110

Silver fish, 106

Sitophilus oryzae, 134, 153

Skulpin, 109

Slug, 118

Smith, Mr. E., 115

Snail, 120

Snakes, absence of, 99
Soldier, 105

Bastard, 105
Sowerby, Mr., 113, 116
Spanish fly, 177

Sparrow, 91
Speckled conger, 111^

Spermaceti whale, 86

Sphteridium dytiscoides, 135, 139

Spiders, 206

Sponge, 220

Sponge crab, 203

Squilla stylifera, 204

Star fish, 219

Starling. 90

Stenobothrns annulieornis, 169
undu lifer, 170
▼iridipes, 169
vittifer, 170

Stenoscelis hylastoides, 135, 148
Sterna fuliginosa, 98
Sterrlia sacraria, 187
Stomoxys calcitrans, 197
Stonebrass, 106
Strange birds visit Island, 90
Stump, 203
Sub-fossil shells, 117
Succmea aspernla, 1 1 9
bensoniana, 119
helense, 119
picta, 111, 119
rudovina, 119
solidula, 119
Sucking fish, 107
Sula, sp. ? 97
Sunfish, 112

Aaron’s Golden Rod, 299
Abbreviations, 232
Abele tree, 323
Aberia caffra, 238
Abies Smithiaua, 324
A bi as precatorius, 257
Acacia arable a, 265
deal bat a, 264
decurrens, 264
iniplexa, 205
longtfolia, 265
lophantha , 266
melanoxylon, 265
rangraen-'is, 2ti6
spectabilis. 265
suaveolcns, 265
verticil lata latifolia, 265
Acalypba reticulata, 318
rubra, 318

Superstitions, 80
Sus scrofa, 85
Swordfish, 105
Syritta pipiens, 196
spiniterella, 196

Tacbina sp. ? 196
Tachypetes aquilus, 97
Teak wood, 176
Teotura virginea, 125
Tegeuaria atrica, 210
civilis, 210
proxima, 210

Tenebrio obsourus, 134, 161
Teredo navalis, 1 28
Termes tenuis, 171
Termites, 121, 171
Testudo indica, 99
Tetragnatha digna , 213
indigua, 213
pelusia, 213
Tetrodon cutaneus, 112
suuctje helense, 112
Thalassidroma melauogaster, 97
Thea variegate, 135, 159
Theridion fulvulunulatum, 212
ptmioum, 212
tepidariorum, 212
Thousand -legs, 201
Thrush, 90

Thyunus tbynnus, 107
Thyrsites prometheus, 107
Tinaria calcarata, 17 0
sauettfi helenae 170
Tinea binotattdla, 191
subameella, 191
urseba, 190

Tomicus annulus, 135, 148
Tortoise, 99

Trachyphloeosoma setosum, 134,
154

Trees attacked by white ants, 1 1 o
Tribalus 4 striatus, 135, 143
Tribolium ferrugineum, 134, 161

PART IV.— BOTANY.

Acclimatization ntation, suitability
for, 229

Acer, pseudo-platannSi ^57
Achyranthes aspera 315
Acaniopteris nervosa, 352
Acreage, 330

Acrosti. hum bifurcatum, 352
con form e, 352
dimorphum, 3o2
lane eola turn, 352
siibdiapbanum, 852
Adelanthus decipieus, 368
Adiautum setbiopicum, 351
Adonis autumnalis, 233
Aeluropus lsevis, 348
A^apauthus umbellatus, 339
Agaricus (Amanita) panthennus,
379

Triton olearium, 124
variegatus, 124

Trogosita mauritaaica, 135, 140

Trooper, 105

Tropic bird, 90, 97, 200

Trumpet fish, 108

Trunk fish, 111

Tunny fish, 101

Turkey, 95

Turtle. 99, 205

Typhasa fumata, 134, 142

Uloborus william3ii, 214

Varunna atlantica, 203
Ve'.ella liiubosa, 126, 129
Yertebrata, 79
Vidua paradisea, 92
Vine beetle, 144

Walker, Mr., 165, 177, 179, 194,
198, 200, 201
Wallich, Dr., 115
Whale, 85

Whale bird, 96, 200
White ant, 131, 170
White bird. 98
Widow Bird, 92
Wilkes, Capt., 117
Wire bird, 88
Wire worm, 201, 202
Witchcraft, 80
Wollaston, Mr., 131
Woodlouse, 205

Xantholinus morio, 135, 163
Xiphias gladius, 105
Xysticus gramiuicus, 215

Yam stalks, 79
Yellow-tail, 106

Zaora bifasciata, 168
Zonites alliarius, 120
cellarius, 120

Zophobas concolor, 135f 162

Agaricus (Hypholoma) fasdcala-
ris, 379

(Psalliota) campestris, 379
Agave americana, var. varieyata,
336

lurida, 336

Ageraium conyzoides. 283
Agrostemma coronaria, 239
Agrostis lenta, 347
purpuresceus, 347
Ailautbus, 2 30

gland uio^, 253
Albizzia Lebbek, 266
lophantha, 266
Aleurites molucc.tna, 318
triloba , 318
Algae, 3fi0

Allium ascalonicum, 338
cepa, 338

E E

418

INDEX.

Allium, fragrans, 338
pornim, 338
sativum, 338
Allspice, 270
Almond, 266
Aloe, 336

grandidentata, 339
perfoliata. 339
■vulgaris, 339

Alopecurus paniculatus, 345
Aloysia oitriodoia, 299
Alpinia nutans, 330
recta, 331

Althaea officinalis, 242
rosea, 242
Altitudes, 239
Alyssum maritimuin, 238
Amaiantns Blitnm, 315
caudatus, 315
tricolor, 315

Amaryllis belladonna, 335
forinosissiina, 336
reginse, 335
Amatingnla, 310
Amphiroa exilta, 382

fraailissima, 381, 382
Amygdalus communis, 266
persica, 266
Anagallis arvensis, 295
ceernlea, 295
Ananassa sativa, 337
Anatherum muricatum, 351
Andropngon schffinanthus, 351
Angelica, 278, 279
bracteata, 279
Auethum fieniculum, 278
Anona murieata, 235
cheriniolia, 235
reticulata, 235
squamosa, 235
Anthoceros Iscvis, 373
Antbolyza sethiopica, 332
Meriana , 335
Merianella, 333
Antboxanlhum odoratum, 348
Antirrhinum tripbyllum, 297
Apple, 270

Apium graveolens, 278
Petroselinum, 277
Apricot, 267
Arab'e land, 230
Aralia digitata, 279
papyrifera, 279
Araucaria, brasiliensis, 324
excelsa, 324
Arbor vitse, 328
Arbutus Unedo, 293
Argania Sideroxylon, 295
Argan tree, 295
Argemone mexicana, 235
Arrowroot, 332
Artemisia Absinthium, 288
Artichoke, 291
Arum, 230, 341
Arundinaria nana, 349
Asclepias enrassavica, 310
sp. 1 311
Ash, 311

Asparagus laavissirous, 338
Aspidium Napoleonh, 355

Asplenium arborescens, 354
compressnm, 352
erectum, 352
fasemdum, 352
furcatum, 352
platybasis, 353
privmonum, 352
ntdicans, 352
redhmlmn, 352
tenellum, 352
Assegai tree, 280
Aster Burchellii, 283
glutinnsus, 283
gummiferus, 284
Atriplex capensis, 314
triangularis. 3:4
A tropa physolnidcx. 306
Aucnba japonica, 279
Avena fatua, 348
sativa, 348

Averrhoa Carambola, 252
Avocado Pear, 316
Azalea indiea, 294
ledifolia, 294

Babiana rubro-cyanea, 333
stricta, 333
villosa, 333
Bnehmeria nivea, 321
Balantium arborescent, 353
auricomum, 353
Balm, 301

of Gilead, 302
Balsam, 251
Bamboo, 230, 349, 350
Barnbusa arundinacea, 350
Banana, 230, 232
Banksia integrifolia, 317
sp ? 317
sp. ? 317
Banyan, 320
Barbadoes Pride, 261
Barley, 350

Barren parts of Island. 227, 230
Bartrami i fontana, 361
Hcteniana, 361
Basella rubra, 313
Bastard Gum wood, 284, 286
Bauhinia purpurea, 263
Bay tree, 316
Bazzanius brevidens, 369
decrescens. 369
Nov® llollaudkc, 369
Bean, 262
Beatson, Genl., 230
Beatsonia portulacwfolia, 239
Beefwood, 323
Beet, 314

Begonia nitida ? 276
Belladonna Lily, 335
Beilis perennis, 286
Bengal Almond, 272
Bentliam, Mr., 291
Berkeley, Mr., 224
Bermuda Cedar, 326
Bermuda Grass, 346
Beta Cicla, 814
vulgaris, 314
Betula alba, 323
Bideus arborea, 287
Bignonia echinata, 296

Bignonia venusta, 296
Bilberry. 308
Billbergia sp 1 338
Birch, 323
Biota orientalis, 325

var. intermedia, 325
Blackberry, 268
Blackboy, 266
Black Cabbage-tree, 286
Blackwood, 228, 290
Bladder Henna, 258
Blainvillea rhomboidea, 286
Blue Gum, 271
Boat-plant, 342
Boerhaavia Helena, 312
repanda, 312
verticillata, 312
Bocnl. 295
Book Lily, 337, 340
Borage, 303
Borrago officinalis, 303
Bottle-brush tree, 317
Bottle Gourd, 276
Bougainvillea spectabilis, 313
Boussingaultia baselloides, 313
Box, 316, 318
Boxwood, native, 307
Brassica carupestris, 236
oleracea, 236
rapa, 236

Breutelia gigantca, 362
tennifolia, 361
Bridle-wreath Vine, 313
Brinjal, 309
Briza maxima, 349
media, 349

Bromelia Pinguin, 337
Brornus asper, 349
vestitus, 349
Browallia elata, 298
demissa, 298

Brugmansia chlorantha, 306
sanguinea, 306
suaveolens, 306
Bryophylluin calyeinnm, 276
Bryum argenteum, 362

var. $ lanatum, 362, 372
dichotomum, 362
rigidum, 362
Buck’s Horn, 350
Buddhist tree, 310
Buddleiu brasiliensis, 298
Lindleyana, 298
madagascariensis, 298
Bullock’s Heart, 235
Bupleurum rotundifoliura, 278
Burcbell's collection, 222
Buttercup, 234
Buxus sempervirens, 318

Cabbage, 236

Cabbage-trees, 228, 231, 289
Cacalia cocciuea, 289
Cactus, 274

Csesalpinnia Sappan, 263
Caffre Date, 253
Caladiura esculentura, 341
sp. ? 341

Calceolaria pinnata, 298
Calendula officinalis, 290
Tragus, 290

INDEX.

419

Callitris attenuata, 325
Calodendron capense, 253
Camellia japonica, 246
Sasanqua. 246
Campanula, 304
Campy lopus TIelenicns, 358
introflexus, 358
flexuosus, 3.58
scabricuspis, 358
vesticaulis, 359
Zollingeriarius, 358
Canary seed, 345
Caudle-nut tree, 318
Candytuft, 236, 237
Cannabis sativa, 320
Canna coccinea, 331
glauca, 331
indica, 331
iridiflora, 331
Warscewiczii, 332
Cantbimn sp. ? 281
Cape Coral tree, 259
Gooseberry, 308
Grass, 346
Jasmine, 282
Yew, 328

Capsella Bursa-Pastoris, 236
Capsicum baccatnm, 307
frutescens, 307
grossura, 306
Carex pedanculata, 342
pnealta, 342
Carica Papaya, 275
Carissa carandas, 310
Bpinaram, 310
Carrot. 278

Carumbiura populneum, 318
Cassia alata, 263
a urea, 263
esculent a, 263
laevigata, 263
micropbylla, 263
occidentals, 263
Sophera, 263
Castanea vesea, 322
Castor-oil plant, 230, 319
Casuarina leptoclada, 323
muricata, 323
quadTivnlvis, 323
Catch-fly, 240
Cat’s Eye, 283
Cat’s- tail Cactus, 273
Cat’s-taii Grass, 346
Caucalis pumila, 278
Cayenne Pepper, 307
Cedar, 325, 326
Ccdrela Toon*, 249
Celastrus sp. ? 256
Celery, 278
Celsia linearis, 298
Centaurea moscbata, 291
Centroceras cJavulatum, 381
Cerastium glomeratum, 239
Cerasus Laurocerasus, 267
Ceratodon purpureus, 359
Cerbera Odollam, 310
Cereus leptophis, 273
speciosissimus, 27 4
triangularis, 274
Oestrum fascicnlatnm, 306
Ceylon Borage., 303

Chandelier plant, 276
Changeable Rose, 243
Cheilanthes nmltifida, 353
Cheiraulhus Cheiri, 236
Cheirostemon platanioides, 246
Chenopodiurn album, 314
am broeioitles, 314
mural e, 314
var. viride, 314
Cherimoya, 2o5
Cherry-pie, 303
Chestnut, 322
Chick Pea, 258
Chiekweed, 236, 319
Chili, 307
Chili Pine, 326
China Box, 248, 2 55
China Rose, 246
China Yew, 328
Chinese Gooseberry, 252
Christinas. 261
Christmas Lily, 339
Chloris coinpressa, 347
Chrysanthemum sinense ? 288
Cicca disticba, 318
Cicer arietinum, 258
Cichorium endivia, 291
Intybus, 292
Cinchona, 231
Cinchona calisaya, 281
oflicinalis, *281
pahudiana, 281
succirubra, 281
Cineraria Saxifraga, 289
Citron, 248
Citrus Aurantium, 247
decumana, 248
Limetta, 247
Limonum, 247
medica, 248
nobilis, 248
sp. ? 248
vulgaris, 248
Cissius capensis , 255
Cladonia. pyxi.lata fimbnata (denli-
culata ), 373

pit.yrea ( decortieata ), 3<3
cldorophusa, 373
aggregata, 373
Clematis Vitalba, 233
Cleouie deudrokles, 238
Clerodendron iuerine, 300
Climatic zones, 227, 231
Ciitoria Ternatea, 258
Clove Pink, 239
Clover, 262
Club-moss, 356
Cluytia pulehella, 319
Cob<ea scandeus, 304
Coccoloba uvifera, 315
Cochlearia Armoracia, 236
saxatilis, 237
Cock-and-ben tree, 259
Cocoa Nut, 329
Cocos nucifera, 329
Codiurn tomentosum, 381
Coffea arabica, 280
Coffee, 230, 280
Coix Lachryma, 344
Commelyna hengalensis, 342
ComniiXtndron Bwrckellii , 2oo

Commidendron robustum, 284
rugosum , 284
spuriarn , 284
Commons, 230
Concilium gibbosum, 317
Congo, Flora of, 225
Convolvulus Batatas, 304
brasiliensis, 304
purpureus, 304
tricolor, 304
Conyza gummifera, 284
rugosa, 283
Cookia punctata, 247
Corallina carinata, 381, 383
Coral tree, 264
Cora pavouia, 376, 877
Cordia maeropbylla, 305
Sebestetia, 305
Cork Oak, 322
Coronilla glauca, 258
Corylus Avellami, 322
Corypka urabiuculifera, 329
Cotton, 230, 242
Cotula authemoidea ? 288
australis, 28S
coronopifolia? 288
Cotyledon orbiculata, 277
Cow Grass, 345
Crassula cultrata, 277
obliijua, 277
Crinura auiabile, 336
asiaticum, 336
Orotalaria arborescens, 258
incana, 258
laburnifolia, 258
rotuaa, 258
Croton sebiieru in, 318
Cryptocarya angustifolia, 316
Cryptogams, 351
Crypfcomeria japonica, 325
Cry ptoste m m a caie ud ulaceum, 291
Cucumber, 276
Cucumis Uitrullus, 276
Melo, 276
sativus, 276

Cucurbita Molopepo, 276
Pepo, 276

Cunninghaiuia lanceolata , 326
sinensis, 326
Cunonia capensis, 277
Cupressus ylwudiUosa, 325
Lawsoiiiana, 325
var. glauca , 325
lusifcauioa, 325
Macnabiana, 325
serapervirena, 325
toralosa, 325

var. Kashmir iana , 325
Curcuma long*., 331
Curtisia faginea, 280
Cushion Cactus, 274
Custard Apple, 235
Cycas revel uta, 329 ^

Cydonia vulgaris , 270
Cymbidium aloefolium, 330
Cynara Scolymus, 291
Cynodon Dactyloa, 231, 347
Cyporus herbicavns, 343
mucronatus, 343
polystachyus, 343
rotundas, 3 43

420

INDEX.

Cyperus, sp. T 343
sp. 1 343
sp. ? 343
sp. ? 343
Cypress, 325

Cyrtantbera magnifies, 297

Dahlia variabilis, 286
Daisy, 286

Dalbergia frondosa, 259
Sissoo, 259
Dandelion, 292
Daphne odoia, 317
Date Palm, 329
Datura fastuosa, 307
Metel, 307
Tatula, 307
Dancns caro'a, 278
Deadly Nigblshade, 309
Deadnettle. lied, 301
Deadwood, 228
Delphinium Ajaeis, 233
Hendersoni, 233
Dendroceros adgluiinatus, 372
brasiiiensis, 372
Desmodium arenarium, 259
argentemn, 259
Devil-in-tlie-Bush, 234
Devil’s Sn fl'-box, 380
Diana’s Nightcap, 310
Dianella cierulea, 339
Dianthus barlmtus, 240
Caryophyllus, 239
cbinensis, 240
Dicbondra repeus, 305
Dickie, Professor, 380
Dicksouia arborescens, 352, 353,
356, 375
auricoma, 353
Integra, 353
Dicotyledons, 233
Dicranella Ascensiomea. 357
prescripts, 357, 358
Dioscorea aculeata, 338
alata, 338

Dinsnia ertonides, 253
Diospyros Kaki, 294
Diplazinm arhareecevs, 354
nigro-paleaceum, 354
Dock, 316

Dogwood, native, 228, 282
Dolichos Iignosus, 259
Dombeya erythroxyhm , 245
Doryantlies excelsa, 336
Double Hee, 315
Dracaena australis, 339
ferrea. 339
Dragon-tree, 339
Drymaria cordata, 240
Duckweed, 330
Durauta Plumierii, 309

Ebony, native, 221, 223, 227, 229,
245

Eehinopsis Eyriesii, 274
Echium superbum, 303
Eeklonia bueoinalis, 383
Egg Plant, 309
Egyptian Bindweed, 305
Ehretia pyrifol a, 303

Ehrharta panicea, 344
Elder tree, 280
Elephant’s Foot, 338
Eleusine calycina, 347
coracana, 347
indica, 347
Elm, 321
Endive, 291
English Aloe, 336
Entada, 225

Bcandeus, 266

Enteromorp a perenrsa, 380
Eragrostis megastachya, 349
poteoides, 349
sp ? 849

Eriobotrya japonica, 269
Eriocbloa annnlata, 345
Erioderina unguigernm, 377
Erodium romanum, 249
sempervivum, 250
Erythrina calfra, 259

corallodendrum ? 259
speciosa, 260

Escbsclmltzia californica, 235
Eucalyptus globulus, 271
viminalis, 270
Eugenia Jainbos, 270
Pimenta, 270
Ugni, 270

Eupatorium pallidum, 283
Euphorbia Lathyris, 319
Peplus, 319
var., 319
rosea, 319
splendens, 319
Euphoria Longana. 257
Enstichia longirostris, 366
Euxolus viridis, 315
Evening primrose, 273
Evergreen Oak, 322
Everlasting, 288, 291
Exomis axyrioides, 314
Exormotheca pustulosa, 372
Exotic flora, 221, 229

Fan Palm, 329
Fat Hen, 314
Fence Ab e, 336
Fennel, 278
Ferns, 224, 231, 351
Ferraria undulata, 333
Festuea bromoides, 349
Fibre-bearing plants, 230
Ficus Carica, 320
elastica, 320
indica, 320
religiosa, 320
terebrata, 320
Fig, 320

Fimbristylis textilis, 343
Fir trees, 231

Fissidens asplenioides, 366, 368
Helcnicus, 366
Flag, 332
Flax, 249

Flower Gardens, 230
Forest trees, 230
Forget me-not, 295, 303
Fourcroya gigantea, 336
Four o’clock, 313
Fox-tail Grass, 345

Fragaria elatior, 267
vesca, 267

Frankeria Beatsonia , 239

porttdacaef. lia, 227, 228, 239
Fraxinus cbinensis, 311
floribunda, 311
French Grass, 319
Fuchsia coceinea, 246, 273
enrymbiflora, 273
globosa, 273
Fumaria capreolata, 236
Funaria, 361
Fungi, 224, 379
Furze, 262

Gaillardia bicolor, 287
Galaxaura lapidescens, 381
Gamboge tree, 243, 244
Gardenia florida, 282
radicans. 282
Tbunbeigii, 282
Gardens, 230
Garlic, 338
Geranium, 249
Geum urban urn, 268
Gigantic Lily, 336
Gilia tricolor, 304
Ginger, 331

Gladiolus ctispidatus, 333
birsutus, 333
natalensis, 333
Gleditschia liorida, 263
sinensis, 263
Globe Amaranth, 315
Glyphomitrium cuoullatifolium,
359

Helenicum, 359
Gmelina asiatica, 360
Gnaphalium indicum, 289
leuteo-album, 289
purpureum, 289
Goat’s beard, 292
Goats, destruction by, 221, 224
Gobblegheer, 261
Gold-dust plant, 279
Gomphocarpns fruticosus, 311
Gomphrena globosa, 315
Gorse, 262

Gossypinro barbadense, 242
indicum, 242

Grammitis maryinella, 355
Granadilla, 275
Grape, 255
Grasses, 344
Grateloupia filicina, 381
var. ramentacea, 381
Green Ixia, 333
Grewia occidentalis, 246
oppositifolia, 246
Grifiithsia setacea, 381
Ground Ivy, 290
Ground Plantain, 296
Groundsel, 290
Guava, 272

Guilandina Bonduc, 263
Gum arabic tree, 265
Gumwood. 227, 231, 284
Guinea Grass, 346
Guinea Tam, 341
Gutta-percba tree, 295
Gymnanthe tendla , 368

INDEX.

421

Gymnogramme Haughtoni, 353,
354

Gynmothrix caudata, 346

flabrothamnm fasciculatusy 306
Huemauthus toxicarius, 337
Hakea gibbosa, 317
Hand tree, 246
Hardenbergia monophylla, 260
Hare’s-tar, 278
Rarpepbyllum caffrura, 253
Haw k weed, wild, 291
Hay Grass, 348
Hay land, 230
Hazel Nut, 322
Heartsease, 238
He-Cabbage-tree, 228, 289
Hedera Helix, 279
Hedychium chrysoleucum, 331
Hedyotis arborea, 282
Heliautbns mulfciflorus, 287
Helichrysum bracteatum, 288
var. monstrosuvi, 288
Heliotropium pernviannm, 303
Hemerocallis fulva, 339
Hemp, 320

Hibiscus abelmoscbus, 242
urmatus, 243
canuabinns, 243
diversifolius, 243
liliiflurus, 243
Ludwigii, 243
mutabilis, 243
phceniceus, 243
populneus, 243
rosa-siueusis, 243
Sabdariffa, 243
speciosus, 244
Syriac us, 243
Trionum, 243
urens, 243
Hogweed, 312
Holly, 294
Hollyhock, 242, 243
Honesty, 301
Honey-flower, 252
Honey plant, 318
Honeysuckle, 280
Hooker, Dr., 291
Hooker, Dr., lecture by, 221
Hookeria fissicieulioides, 363
pallidifolia, 3b2
Hordeum distichou, 350
bexastichon, 350
jubatuin, 350
muriuum, 350
vulgare, 350
Horseradish. 236
Hottentot Fig, 241
Hoy a carnosa, 311
Hydrangea Hortenaia, 277
Hydrocotyle asiatica, 278
Hymenopbyllum capillaceum, 354
355

Hypericum bircinum, 239
Hypnum athrocladmi , 365
athrocladum, 365
pnelongum, 365
pur um, 364
sericeunu 365
Stokesii, 365

Hypochseris radicata, 292
Hypoxylon Mell ssii, 379
micropus, 379

Iberia umbellata, 237
Ice Plant, 241
Ilex Aquifolium, 294
Impatieus Balsamina, 251
Indian Corn, 344
Indian Pink, 240
Indian >hot, 331
Indiarubber tree, 320
Indigenous flora,, 221, 223, 225,
227, 239, 240, 241, 242, 245,
250, 256, 261, 278, 279, 282,
283, 234, 285, 286, 287, 289,
290, 292, 293, 296, 307, 312,
314, 318, 842, 352, 353, 354,
355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360,
361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366,
367, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373,
S77, 378, 379, 380
disappearance of, 224
Indigo, 260

Indigofera tinctoria, 260
Insular Floras, 221
Ipecacuanha, 310
Iponnca bona-nox, 305
coccinea, 305
palmata, S05
Quamoclit, 305
sp ? 305

Iris ocbroleuca, 334
sp ? 334
Iron Wood, 281
Isolepis Holoschtenns, 343
prolifera, 344
sp. ? 343
sp. ? 343
sp. ? 343
sp. ? 344

Isonandra gotta, 295
Ivy, 279
Ixia conica, 334
ereeta, 334
maeulata, 334
monadelpha, 333
patens, 334
var. viridijlora , 333

Jacobea, 289, 290
Jacobea Lily, 336
Jasmine, 311

Jasmin um odoratissimum, 311
officinale, 311
revolutum, 311
Jelico, 279
Job’s-tears, 344
Jubiea spectabilis, 329
Juglans regia 321
Juncus bufonius, 342
capensis, 342
efiusus, 342
var. latifoUuSy 342
Jungermannia campylodonta , 368
falcata, 368
incuuibens, 367
obtusata, 367
piligera, 367
subcouiplicata, 367

Juniperus bermudiana, 326
virginiana, 326
Justicia Adhatoda, 297

carnea var. superba, 297
peruviana, 297

Kei apple, 238

Kew, indigenous plants at, 227
KLus-khus Grass, 351
Kidney Bean, 261
Knipbofia uvaria, 341
Kyllingia mouocepbala, 344

Laburnum, 258
Lachanodes leucadendron, 289
pla>t ai'oxylon. 289
prenautbi flora, 289
Lactuca sativa, 292
Ladies’ Thimble, 252
Lady's Petticoat, 306
Lagenaria vulgaris, 276
Lagers truuuiu regin eg, 272
Laiuium purpureum, 301
Lantana aculcata, 300
Larkspur, 233
Lctatreu Napoleonis, 355
Lathyrus oduratus, 260
tingitanus, 260
Laurel, 267

Laureucia cruciata, 380, 381 , 382,
383

obtusa, 383
Laurus nobilis, 316
Lavandula spica, 301
Lavender, 301
wild, 289

Laocniannia arborea , 287
Lecauora argopholis, 377
atra, 377

aurantiaea Erythrclla, 377 .
ferruginea, 377
fusco-lutea, 378
hsewatomma, 378
orosthea, 377
personata, 377
Lecidea approximans, 378
enteroleuca, 378
lactescens, 378
saxatilis, 378
stellulata, 378
Leek, 338
Leighton, Mr., 224
Lejeunia adsccmtioniSf 371
pterota, 371
Lemna polyrhiza, 330
Lemon, 247
Lemon Grass, 351
Leonurus sibiricus, 301
Lepidium ruderale, 237
Lepidozia capillaiis, 369
lievifolia, 369
nemoides , 369
procumbens, 369
reptans, 369
Lepraria flava, 379
ocbracea, 379
Leptochloa arabica, 347
Leptogium tremelloides, 373
Leptospermum laevigatum, 271
Leptot rich um flexi caule, 357
JJumachuchii, 357

422

INDEX.

Lettuce, 292

Leucadendron argenteum, 317
me! lifers, 318
Liagora viscida, 382
Lichens, 22 1, 373
Lichteusteiuiu Burchellii, 278
Liliunt candidum, 340
longiflorum, 340
Lima Bean, 201
Lime, 247

Linum usitatissimum, 249
Liriodendrou tulipifera, 234
Litchi, 257
Lithodomus, 382
Lithospermum tenuiflorum, 303
Lithothainnion brassiea-florida,
382

craaslim, 382
Litsaea foliosa, 316
Liver Plant, 277
Liverworts, 366
Lobelia bioolor, 292
scssvoiifolia, 292
Local names, 232
Lolium teuiulentum, 350
Lonicera Periclymonum, 280
Longwood, 228
Lophocolea connata, 368
bidentata, 368
hnmistrata, 367
serrata, 368

Lopbospermum scandens, 298
Loqnat, 269
Love Grass, 346
Love-lies-Bleeding, 315
Lucerne, 261
Lupin, 260

Lupinus augustifolius, 260
luteus, 260

Lycopodium axillare, 357
cernuum, 356
taxifolium, 357

Macartney Hose, 268
Macromitrium flmbriatum, 360
micropbyllum, 360
Seemannii, 360, 368
urceolatum, 360
Madagascar Crecpor, 338
Magnolia conspicua, 234
fuacata, 234
purpurea, 234
Mahogany, 249
Maidenhair Fern, 351
Mallow, 242, 244
Malvastrum tricuspidatum, 244
Malva parviflora, 244
sylvestris, 244
Mandarin Orange, 248
Mangifera iudica, 254
Mango, 254
Mangold wurtzel, 314
Marauta aruudinacea, 332
Marchantia polymorphs, 372
Margossa, 248
Marigold, 287, 290
Mariscus umbellatus, 344
Marjoram, 302
Marsh Mallow, 242
Massonia latifolia, 340
Mastcgobrum, 369

Mastigophora diclados, 370
fnrnicata, 370
leioclada, 370
Mat Grass, 345
Matthiola ineaua, 237
odoratissima, 237
Mauraltia hcisteria, 257
Maurandia antirrhiuiflora, 299
May, 269
Meadow Grass, 348
Medicago denticulata, 261
maculata, 260
nijra, 260
sativa, 261

Meiothecium microcarpum, 363
urceolatum, 363

Melanodendron integrifolium, 286,
370

Melhania erythroxylon, 245
melanoxylon, 245
Melia Azedarach, 2 18
composita, 249
robust a, 249
superba , 249
Mclianthus major, 252
minor, 252

Melilotus parviflora, 261
Melissa officinalis. 301
Mellissia begonifolia, 227, 307
Meloliesia farinosa, 382
Melon, 276

Mentha sylvestris, 301
viridis, SOI

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium,
241

cryptanthum, 227, 241, 290
crystallinum, 241
edule, 241
emarginatum, 241
gp. ? 241

MespUti&japoniea, 269
Mexican Creeper, 298
Meyenia erecta, 297
Michauxia campanuloides, 293
Michel iaChampaca, 234
Microstaphyhi bifurcata , 352
Mignonette, 238
M ikan ia arborea , 289
Millet, 351

Mimosa sensitiva, 266
Mimulus Smithii, 299
MimusopsElengi, 295
Mint, 301

Mirabilis jalapa, 313
Mitten, Mr., 224, 357
Mumordica charantia, 276
Monkey Plant, 299
Monkey’s-ears, 305
Monkey-toe, 302
Monocotyledons, 329
Monogram me / urctita, 354
graminoides, 354
Moon Plant, 306
Mursea collina, 334
iridioides, 334
Morns alba, 321

atropurpurea, 321
nigra, 321
Mose-cup Oak, 322
Mosses, 224, 357
Moss Hose, 268

Mulberry, 321
Muitiflora roso, 268
Murray* exotica, 248
Musa paradisiaca, 332
sapientum, 332
Mushrooms, 379
Musk Okro, 242
Mustard, 23S
Myosotis palustris, 303
Mvristica moschata, 235
Myrtle, 271
Myrtus commuuis, 271
tarmlina, 271
lucida, 271

Napoleon’s Creeper, 275
Narchee, 248
Narcissus biflorus, 337
Jonquilla, 337
Nasturtium officinale, 237
Natal Bulb, 333
Nephelium lappaceum, 257
Litchi, 257

Nepbrodinm oognatum, 355
Napoleonis, 3 55
patens, 355
Nerium odorum, 310
Nesiota elliptica, 256
Nettle, 321

New Zealand Flax, 230, 340
New Zealand Spinach, 242
Nicandra physaloides, 306
Nicotiana glanca, 303
persica, 308
rustica, 308
tabacum, 807
Nigella damascena, 234
Night-blooming Oereus, 274
Nolana prostrata, 304
Nolekole, 236
Noltia africana, 255
Norfolk Island Pine, 324
Nut Grass, 343
Nutmeg, 235
Nutmeg Geranium, 250

Oak, 230, 232, 322
Oakieaf Geranium, 250
Oats, 348

CEnothera longiflora, 273
purpurea, 273
tetraptera, 273

Old Father Live for Ever, 250
Olea Europata, 312

longifolia, 312
fragrans, 312
laurifolia, 311
sp. ? 312
Oleander, 310
Oligocarpus, 291
Olinia cymosa, 272
Olive, 230, 311
Onion, 338

Opegrapha Leightonii, 378
Ophioglossum vulgatum, 355
Opuntia cochiniUifera, 274
vulgaris, 274
Orange, 247
Orchards, 230

Origanum majoranoides, 302
Ornithogalum pyramidale, 340

INDEX.

423

Osier, 324

Osteospermum moniliferum, 291
pisifernm, 291
Otaheite Gooseberry, 318
Othonna peetinata, 290
Oxalis caprina, 252
corniculata, 252
Martin na, 252
rubella, 252
variabilis, 252

Padina pavonia, 383
Pagoda plant, 28S
Painted Lady, 260
Pallavicinius Lyellii, 371
procumbens, 371, 372
Palma Christi, 230, 319
Pancratium littorale, 337
Pandanus candelabrum, 330
utilis, 330

Panicum segyptiacum, 346
brizoides, 346
ciliare, 346
Pacfylon , 347
fluitaus, 346
maximum, 346
molle, 346
sp. ? 345
sp. ? 346

Pannaria rubiginosa, 376
Papaver Argemone, 236
orientale, 235
Eliceas, 235
Papaw, 275

Paratropia venulosa, 279
Pardanthus chineusis, 334
Paritium elatum, 244
tiliaceum, 244
Parkinsonia aculeata, 264
Parmelia caperati, 376

conspersa m ougeotii, 376
by peropta ? 376
incurva ? 376
Icevigata, 376
lepidiota, 376
perlata, 375

var. ciliata, 375
saxatilis, 376
Parsley, 277
Parsnip, 278

Paspalum scrobiculatum, 345
Passiflora ererulea, 275
racemosa, 275
edulis, 275
ligularis, 275
quadrangnlaris, 275
Passion flower, 275
Pastinaca sativa, 278
Pasture land, 230
Pea, 261
Peach, 266

Peach- blossom Bulb, 335
Peacock- flower, 332
Pear, 270
Peepul tree, 320
Pelargonium angulosum, 251
betulinum, 251
capitatum, 251
cotyledonis, 227, 229,250
cucullatum, 251
denticulatum, 250

Pelargonium glutinosum, 250
graveolens, 250
bybridum, 250
inquinans, 251
zonale, 251
Pennisetum sp.? 346
Pennywort, 278
Pentapretes erytliroxylon, 245
Pereskia Bleo, 274
Periwinkle, 310
Persea gratissima, 316
Persian Stock, 237
Pertusaria fallax, 378
Petrobium arboreum, 287
Petunia sp. ? 308
Phalaris canariensis, 345
minor, 345

Phallus impudicus, 379
Pbarbitis Learii, 305
Pharnaceum acidum, 227, 242
Phaseolus lunatus, 261
vulgaris, 261
Pheasant’s-eye, 233
Phajopteris rugulosa, 356
Philiyrea media, 312
Phlomis Leonurus, 302
sp.? 302

Phlox amcena, 304
Pbceuix dactylifera, 329
reelinata, 330
Phormium tenax, 340
Pliragraicoma acutiloba, 370
Mackaii, 371
microscypha, 371
rotalis, 371
Phyliea elliptica, 256
ramosissima, 256
rosmarinilolia, 256
Phyllanthus undraclmoides, 319
sp,? 319

Physalis begnnifolia, 307
edulis, 308
flexuosa, 308
peruviana, 308
Physcia astroidea, 376
flavicans, 376

leucomela anguslifolia, 376
picta, 376
speciosa, 376

var. hypoleuca, 376
Physcomitriuin flexifolium, 361
Physical changes, 226
Physiotium sphagnoides, 370
Picea Webhiana, 328
Pimpernel, 295
Pine Apple, 337
Pinus canariensis, 327
densiflora, 327
excelsa, 327
longifolia, 327
Pinaster, 326
Pinea, 327
rigida, 327
sjlvesfcris, 327
Piptadenia peregrina, 264
Pistaoia Terebinthus, 254
Pisum Sativum, 261
Pithecolobium dulce, 260
I’ittosporuiu tobira, 255
undidatum, 255
viridiflorum, 255

Placodium murorum, 377
Pladaroxylon lencadeudron, 289
Plagiochasma limbatnm, 371
Plagiocbila anisodonta, 364, 368
asplenioides, 367
campy/odontu, 368
insularia, 366
spinulosa, 367
Plantago major, 296
robusta, 227, 296
Plantain, 332

Plants, mode of transport of, 225
Plectronia mundtiana, 282
spinosa, 282
Pleopeltis heletice, 356
lepidota, 356

Pleurozium splendens, 364
Plumbago capensis, 296
Plumieria bicolor, 340
Poa annua, 348
japonica, 348
laxa, 348
pratensis, 348
Podocarpus chineusis, 328
elongata, 328
Poineiana, 263

pulcberrima, 264
Poinsettia pulcherrima, 319
Poisarg, 313
Poisonous Bulb, 333
Poisonous weed, 319
Poison Peach, 294
Polianthes tuberosa, 340
Polyanthus, 295
Polycarpon tetraphyllum, 240
Polygala myrtifolia, 257
Polypodium, Diana?, 355
lanceolatuin, 356
lepidotmu, 356
macrocarpum, 356
marginellum, 355
molle , 355
rugulosum, 356
Polypogon atteralis, 347
Polyporus (Anoderuiei)] indu*
ratus, 380
lucidus, 380
sanguineus, 380
versicolor, 380

Polytrichum juniperinum, 366
Pomegranate, 271
Poplar, 323
Poppy, 235
Populus alba, 323
Port Jackson Willow, 265
Portulaca oleracea, 240
Potato, 309
Prickly Heath, 257
Prickly Pear, 274
Primrose, 295
i’rimula variabilis, 295
veris, 295
vulgaris, 295
Privet, 281

Prunus Arrneniaca, 267
Psiadia rotundifolia, 228. 286
Psidium pomiferum, 272
pyriferura, 272
Psoraiea pin ata, 261
Pteris flabellata, 356
paleacea, 356

INDEX.

424

Pterocladia lucida, 382
Pterospermum suberifolium, 245
Ptychomnion densifolium, 364
Puff Ball, 380
Pulque, 336
Pumpkin, 276
Punica Grauatum, 271
Purple Grass, 346
Purslane, 240
Pyrus chiuensis, 270
communis, 270
Cydonia, 270
lualus, 270

Quaking Grass, 349
Quantity of native plants, 228
Quereus Ilex, 322
olivieformis, 322
ltobur, 322
sp.'f (5) 323
Suber, 322
Quince, 270

Radish, 237
Radula complanata, 370
fulvifolia, 370
Bamalina augnlosa, 374
yrocilcnla, 374
humili* dilatata, 374
cerucbis, 375
pollinaria, 374
polymorpha, 374
scopulurum, 374
Bambutan, 257
Ranunculus bulbosus, 234
sceleratus, 234
Rapbanus saiivus, 237
Kaspberry, 269
Records, extracts from, 226
Bed Heliotrope, 300
Bed Moon plant, 306
Bedwood, 226, 245
Beseda odorata, 238
Bhapis flabeliiformis, 330
Bhus sp.? (2) 254
Kicasolia herbacea, 375
Bice Paper, 279
Bichardia mthiopica, 341
Bicinus communis, 231, 319
Boccella fuciformis, 373
phyeopsis, 373
tinctoria, 373
Book Rose, 243
Jioella anc/uslijnlia, 293
linifvlia, 293
pan milnht. 293
Bosa llanksia) ? 268
bracteaia, 268
Centifolia, 268
muxema, 268
indica, 268
miciophylla, 268
mullitlora, 268
rubiginosa, 268
triphylla, 268
Bose. 268
Bose Apple, 270
Bmeniary, 302

Bosemary, native, 227, 231, 256
Rosmarinus oflicinalis, 302
Boxburgb’s Catalogue, 223

Royena lucida, 294
pallens, 294
Rubus idseus, 269
pinuatus, 269
rbamnitolius, 268
roKtfulius, 269
Rue, 253

Rumex Acetosella, 316
crispus, 316
vesicarius, 316
Rush, 342

Russelia juncea, 299
Buta graveolens, 253

Saccharum officinarum, 351
Sage, 302
Sago Palm, 329
Salix babylonica, 324
viminalis, 324
Salvia aurea, 3u2
bracteata, 802
coccinea, 302
unexicana, 302
officinalis 302
spleudens, 302
Sambucus nigra, 280
Samphire, 314
Sanseviera guiueensis, 340
zeylanica, 341
Scarlet Geranium, 250
Schizophylluin commune, 380
Schobcria salsa, 3 1 4
Schotia tamariiidifolia, 264
Scleroderma vulgnre, 380
Scotch Grass, 346
Scotch Pine, 327
Screw Pine, 330
Scronehy Apple, 309
Scrubwood, 227, 2z8, 284
Scurvy Grass, 237
Sea Bean, 266
Sea-side Grape, 315
Sta Weeds, 224, 380
Seeds, transport of, 225
Seed work Acacia, 264
Sedges, 342

Sematopbyllum bracbycarpum,
364

Helemeum, 363
pluinnlarium, 364
Sempervivurn, 339
sp. ? 277

Senebiera ilidyma, 237
Seuecio elegans, 290
J acobea, 290
mikanioides, 290
vulgaris, 290
Sequoia gigantea, 328
Serissa fa-tida, 282
Sesbania aculeata, 258
Setaria italics, 346
setosa, 346
verticillata, 346
viridis, 346

Seven Sisters’ Bose, 268
Seville Orange, 248
Shaddock, 248
Shallot, 338

She-Cabbage-tree, 228, 289
Shepherd’s Purse, 236
Sida acuta, 244

Sida cordifolia, 244
microphylla, 244
rhotnnifolia, 244
Siegesbeckia irientalis, 287
Signs and abbreviations, 239
Sileue gallica, 240
Silk, 231

Silk Cotton plant, 311
Silver tree, 317
Sinapis nigra, 238
Sium Helenianum, 279
Sky-rocket, S41
Snapdragon, 297
Solauum acautbocarpuir, 308
auriculalum, 309
esculentum, 309
giganteum, 309
Jacquini, 309
Lycopersicum, 309
nigrum, 309
pseudo-capsicum, 309
Sudoiuamtu, 309
tuberosum, 309

Conumrsoni , 309
Solidayo cuueifulia, 290
integrifolia , 286
leucadtndron, 289
rotundi folia, 286
Son oil us oleraceus, 292
var. Icevis, 292
Sophora, 262

japonica, 261
Sorediate tballus, 379
Sorghum halepense, 351
vulzare, 351
Sorrel, 252, 316
Sour Bell, 252
Sour Bulb, 335
Sour Date, 253
Soursop, 235
Sow Thistle, 292
Spanish Broom. 262
Sparaxis grandiflora, 334
tricolor, 335
Spartium junceum, 262
Speedwell, 298
Spergula arvensis, 240
Spider Bulb, 333
Spilanthes letrandra, 287
Spinaeia oleraeea, 315
Spinach, 315
Spiraea corymbosa, 269
Reevesiana, 269
Splendid Sage, 302
Squamaria saxicola, 377
Stachys arvensis, 302
Stachytarpheta mutabilis, 300
prismatioa, 3oO
Steetzia, 371

Stenotaphrum americanum, 345
Sticta aurata, 375
Stictina evocata, 375
tomentosa, 375
Stinking White Flower, 282
St. John’s Lily, 340
wort, 239
Stock, 237
Stone Pine, 327
Strawberry. 267
Strawberry Tree, 293
Strelitzia augusta, 332

INDEX.

425

Strelitzia parvifolia, 332
reginiB, 332

Stringwood, native, 229, 318
Succory, wild, 292
Sugar Cane, 230, 351
Sumach, 254
Sun (lower, 287
Surinam Cherry, 271
Sutherlandia fruteseens, 258
Sweetbriar, 268
Sweet Chili, 309
Olea, 312
Pea, 260
Potato, 304
Sop, 235
Sultan, 291
Thyme, 253
William, 240
Swietenia Mabagoni, 249
Sycamore Maple, 257
Symphogyna convoluta, 372
Lehraanniana, 372
serrata, 372

Syzygium zeylanicum, 272

Tacsonia mollissima, 275
Van-Volxemii, 275
Tagctes erecta, 287
patula, 287
Tallow tree, 318
Tamarind, 264
Tamarindus indica, 264
Tangier Tea, 260
Tantocury 314
Tare, 262

Taxodium distichum, 328
Tea, 247

Tea, St. Helena, 239
Teak tree, 300
Tecoiua capensis, 296
jamninoides, 297
radicans, 297
stans, 296

Tectona grandis, 300
Tenninalia Catappa, 272
Testudinaria, elephantipes, 338
Tetragonia expansa, 242
Tetranthera japonica, 317
macropliylla, 317
Tballophytes, 373
Thatching Rush, 343
Tbea chinensis, 247
Thetpesia populnea, 243
Thousand-leaved Rose, 268
Thuidiura curvatum, 365
fulvastrum, 865
Thuja oecidentalis, 328
Thunbergia alata, 297
fragrans, 297
Thyme, 303

Thymus vulgaris, 303
Tiger Lily, 333
Tigridia Pavonia, 333
Tobacco, 230, 307
Toddalia lanceolata, 253
Tomato, 309
Tortula crespitosa, 360
crispula, 360
Tracts on St. Helena, 230
Tradeaeantia discolor, 342
sp.? 342

Tragopogon porrifolius, 292
Traveller’s joy, 233, 332
Trefoil, 260
Tree Fern, 363
Tribulus terrestris, 252
Trichelostylis sp.? 344
Trichodesma zeylanicum, 303
Trichoneina oehrolencum, 335
Trifolium pratense, 262
Triodia decumbens, 348
Tripteris Burcbellii, 227, 290
Triticum iestivum, 350
cannon m, 350
hybernuni, 350
Triton ia longiflora, 335
Triumfetta toiuentosa, 246
Trochaia erythroxylon, 245
melanoxylon, 245
Tropmolum aduncum, 252
majus, 251
Tuberose, 340
Tulip tree, 234
Tupidantkus calyptratus, 279
Turmeric, 331
Turnip, 236
Turpentine tree, 254
Tylimanthus anisodon, 368
tenella, 368

Ulex europinns, 262
Ulmus parvifolia, 321
virgata, 321
Ulva latissima, 380
parvula ? 380
Urceolaria scruposa, 378
Urtica dioica, 321
tenacissima, 321
Usnea barbata articulata, 374
ccratina, 374
fiorida, 374
hirta, 374
lsevis, 374

Valerian, 283
Valeriana montana ? 283
phu ? 283

Valonia verticiilata, 381
Vegetable Marrow, 276
Venice Rose, 310
Verbascum virgatum, 299
Verbena bonariensis, 301

Verbena sp.? 301
triphylla, 299
Veronica Anagaliis, 299
serpyllifolia, 299
Vicia faba, 262
sativa, 262
Vinca major, 310
rosea, 310

var. alba, 310
Viola odorala, 238
tricolor, 238
Violet, 238
Virgilia capensis, 262
Vitis capensis, 255
vinifera, 255
Volkameria inermis, 300

Wacliendovfia hirsuta, 341
Wahlenbergia angustifolia, 293
Bnrcbellii, 293
linifolia, 293
Wallflower, 236
VValuut, 318, 321
Wampee, 247
Watercrcsses, 237
Water Grass, 342
Water Melon, 276
Watsonia iridifolia, 335
marginata, 335
ineriana, 335
rosea, 335
Wax Plant, 311
Weeping Willow, 324
Wellingtonia, 328
West Indian Sorrel, 243
Wheat, 350
Wbin, 262

Whitewood, 228, 287, 290
Widdringtonia cupressoides, 329
Wild Bulb, 335

Bur Parsley, 278
Caper, 319
Chestnut, 253
Fuchsia, 306
Heliotrope, 283
Liquorice, 257
Mango, 254
Oats, 348
Olive, 256
Pepper, 319
Senna, 257
Wire Grass, 231, 347
Wormwood, 288

Zea mays, 344
Zingiber officinale, 331
Zinnia multiflora, 287
Zones, climatic, 231

Yam, 338
Yellow Thistle, 235
Yucca aloifolia, 341

1' P

426

INDEX.

PART V.— CLIMATE. METEOROLOGY.

Air, humidity of, 390, 399
Aqueous vapour, elastic force of,
389, 402

Ascension, rollers at, 392
Autumn, 884

Barometer, range of, 389, 401

Climate, unsuitability of, for Pul-
monary complaints, 386
Covered day, 387

Days, length of, 385
Death-rate, 386, 408
Destruction caused by Rollers, 391
Disease, absence of, 384

Fires, necessity for, 385

Floods, 388

Gaseous pressure, 389, 403

Healthiness of island, 3S4

Jamestown, climate of, 385

Longwood, climate of, 386

Meteorological observations, 387

Rainfall, 388, 400
Rainy Seasons, 387
Rollers, 390, 404
cause of, 393
destruction by, 391

TIDES. ROLLERS.

Semmes, Admiral, account of tide
rips, 394

Soldiers, mortality of, 386
Spring, 384

Storms, absence of, 387, 396
Summer, 384

Temperature, 387
Thermometer, range of, 387, 396
Thunder storms, absence of, 384
Tide rips, 394
Tide, rise of, 390
Trade winds, 387

Wind, force of, 387, 398
Winter, 384

THE END.