! i'
i 1.
I
582 ST. H K L E N A . July, 1836.
from below, so that the confusion in structure from these different
causes is extreme. On the higher parts of the island
considerable numbers of shells occur embedded in the soil,
which have always been supposed to be of marine origin:
and the fact has been adduced as a proof of the retreat of the
sea. The shell turns out to be a Bulimus, or terrestrial species.
It is however very remarkable, that it is not now found in a
living state : a circumstance whicli in all probability may be
attributed to the entire destruction of the woods, and consequent
loss of food and shelter, which occurred during the
early part of the last century.
The history of the changes, which the elevated plains of
Longwood and Deadwood have undergone, as given in
General Beatson’s account of the island, is extremely curious.
It is said the plain in former times was covered with wood,
and was therefore called the Great Wood. So late as the year
1716 there were many trees upon it, but in 1724 the old trees
had mostly fallen ; and as goats and hogs were at that time
suffered to range about, all the young trees had been devoured.
It appears also from the official records, that the trees were unexpectedly,
some years afterwards, succeeded by indigenous
wire grass, which now spreads over its whole extent.* He then
adds, “ These are curious facts, since they trace the changes
which this remarkable spot of land has undergone, for now
this formerly naked plain (after the trees had fallen) is covered
with fine sward, and is become the finest piece of pasture on
the island.” The extent of surface, which was probably
covered by wood at a former period is estimated at no less
than two thousand acres; at the present day scarcely a tree
can he found there. It is said, that in 1709 there were quantities
of dead wood in Sandy B a y : this place is now so
utterly desert, that nothing but so well-attested an account
could make me believe that trees had ever existed there.
The fact, that the goats and hogs destroyed all the young
trees as they sprung up, and that in the course of time
* B e a tso n ’s S t. l lc i e u a . In tro d u c to ry c h a p lc r . p. iv.
July, 183G. C H A N G E S IN V E G E T A T IO .N . 583
the old ones, which were safe from their attacks, perished
from age, seems clearly made out. Goats were introduced
in the year 1502; eighty-six years afterwards, in the time
of Cavendish, it is known they were exceedingly numerous.
More than a century afterwards, in 1731, when the evil was
completed and found irretrievable, an order was issued that
all stray animals should be destroyed.
When at Valparaiso, I heard it positively affirmed, that
the Sandal-wood tree had been found on the island of Juan
Fernandez in considerable numbers, but tbat all without exception
were standing dead. At the time, I thought it was
some mysterious case of the natural death of a species; but
when it is remembered, that goats for very many years have
abounded on that island, it seems most probable that the
young trees were prevented growing, and that the old ones
perished from age. It is a very interesting fact, to observe
that the arrival of animals at St. Helena in 1501 did not
change the whole aspect of the island, until a period of two
hundred and twenty years had elapsed : for they were introduced
in 1502, and in 1724 it is said “ the old trees had
mostly fallen.” There can be no doubt, this change affected
not only the Bulimus and probably some other land shells (of
which I obtained specimens from the same bed), but likewise
a multitude of insects.
St. Helena, situated so remote from any continent, in the
midst of a great ocean, and possessing a unique Flora,—this
little world within itself,—excites our curiosity. Birds and
insects,* as might have been expected, are very few in number;
* A m o n g th e s e few in se c ts, I was s u rp r is e d to fin d a sm a ll A p h o d iu s
(nov. spec.) a n d a n O ry c te s , b o th e x tr em e ly c om m o n \m d e r d u n g . W h e n
th e isla n d was d isc o v e red i t c e r ta in ly p o ssessed n o q u a d ru p e d , e x c e p tin g
perhaps a m o u s e : i t b e com e s, th e re fo re , a d ifficu lt p o in t to a s c e r ta in ,
w h e th e r th e s e s te rc o v o ro u s in se c ts h a v e s in c e b e e n im p o r te d b y a c c id e n t,
o r i f a b o rig in e s , o n w h a t fo o d th e y fo rm e rly su b s is ted . O n th e b a n k s o f
th e P la ta , w h e re , from th e v a s t n um b e r o f c a ttle a n d h o rse s , tile fin e
p la in s o f t u r f a re rich ly m a n u r e d , i t is v a in to se e k tlie m a n y k in d s o f
d u n g -fe e d in g b e e tle s, wh ich o c c u r so a b u n d a n tly in E u ro p e . I o b se rv ed
o n ly a n O rj'c te s ( th e in se c ts o f th is g e n u s in E u r o p e g e n e ra lly feed
n