REPO R T

OF

AN EXPLORATION OE PEEL ISLAND.

BY C. F. FAHS, ASSISTANT SURGEON U. S. N.

U. S. Steamer SusqUeiiannah,

June 18, 1853.

Sir '. I have the honor of reporting the result of the observations on Peel Island, i yand the party under my charge, on the subjects submitted by you for investigation. . ^ .

of the island explored by us is the northern half, or that extending from Square oc ,cular direction, to a line running from a point about one mile to the westward of the l aps tothe eastern coast of Fitton’s bay. We ascended all the highest peaks ; took their measuremen ,examined their formation, vegetation, and other objects of interest; descended into mos o enarrow valleys; penetrated the thickest jungle ; crossed the sloping plains on the mountainsides, and carefully noted their soil, mineral and vegetable productions, sources o wa er, aufitness for cultivation. Taking a general view of the island trom the bay, or any otie 1 >

the impression is created that the whole is so rugged and rocky that it cannot be rendered lit torany use ; but this is entirely removed after carefully exploring every part of it, and you are notonly convinced that it can be cultivated, but that it is capable of supporting a large popu-lation. The small portions that have been tilled by the people living here, show that theground is highly fertile and productive. It is true, only the plains on the bay have, as yebeen cultivated ; but there is no reason for doubting that great portions of the remainder willhe equally productive, for the soil is nearly the same everywhere. .

Near the entrance of Port Lloyd, a plain about a quarter of a mile wide commences, an ex-tends in a northeasterly direction one mile. The bed of it is an ancient coral formation restingou trap rock; the soil is several feet thick, consisting of a dark vegetable mould intermixed*ith fine sand of disintegrated coral and marine shells. The greater portion is under cultiva-tion, and yields abundant harvests of whatever is planted, with the least possible toi . * rom

this plain or valley the mountains gradually rise in the form of a circle ; at some parts leascent is sudden for 40 or 50 feet, giving the appearance of terraces ; then, again, p ains rom aHuarter to half a mile wide, sloping towards the summits, are formed until within 40 or 50 leetof the highest peaks. On the northern and northwestern sides the mountain terminates in a veryabrupt and precipitous ledge of trap rock, which is washed by the waves of the sea. The first pea°n the northwest I have, for the convenience of description, named A ; it consists o tiap roc ,