v p g E - mountains, in each o f which, vegetation is different. Th e plains
k in g d o m which encircle thefe ides, give greater room for cultivation than
mountainous expofur.es : in confequence o f this, we fee them and
the r.emoteft extremities o f the vallies which run between the hills,
covered with plantations ; we find them inhabited by a numerous
race, in a higher date o f civilization than any o f their neighbours ;
we enter a country improved by art, and from the rough walks o f
uncultivated nature, pafs into the lovely variety o f a flourifhing
and well kept garden ; the ground is no longer loaded with heaps
o f putrid branches and leaves, that give nourifhment to briars,
climbers, ferns, and the whole tribe o f parafite plants ; but a bed
o f grades adorns the whole furface, and forms that luxuriant fod,
which is always the effeft o f cultivation. T h e fruit trees rife at
proper diftances from each other, and the fhade which their foliage
throws, fhelters the green turf below, which the rays o f a tropical
fun would otherwife foon fcorch and deftroy. T h e dwellings o f
the natives have the fame advantage, being generally fi tuated in the
midfl o f a group o f trees, and frequently furrounded with various
Ihrubs. T h e fird range o f hills that rife within the plains are
entirely dellitute o f trees, by which means, the fun having full
feope to operate, permits no grades or other tender plants to grow
there, fo that the whole is covered with a very dry kind o f fern,
j among
163
among which, two forts o f Ihrubs are difperfed that can equally v-e'g e -
fupport the utmod fury o f a vertical fun. Kt
As we advance higher, we find the fides o f the hills-beginning
to be wooded', and at lad arrive at the highed fummifsy Which are-
wholly covered- w ith foreds o f very tall trees'. As thefe tops are
frequently involved in clouds;- the temperature o f the air is very
mild, and caufes all kinds o f vegetables- to thrive with luxuriance.
Among the red, modes, ferns, epidendra, arid' the like,- which
particularly delight in moidure, cover the trunks and- branches o f
the trees, and over-run the ground.
M A R Q U E S A S *
T o the North Eadward o f the Society Iiles, lie thofe iflands
which Mendanna named the Marquefes de Mendoza. Th e y might
be aptly compared to the Society Iiles, i f thefe lad were deditute
o f reefs and o f plains. Th e Marquefas are alfo more wooded,
though the variety o f plants is npt, by far, fo great, owing to the
room which the plantations take up in the woods themfelves.
F R I E N D L Y I S L E S .
N ex t to the Society Iiles for richnefs o f productions, and beauty
o f appearance, we mud place that group difcovered by the Dutch
navigator Taefman, and not unaptly to be didinguiihed by the
Y 2 ‘ name ■