Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/105

 San-Sebastian, the capital, lies near the eastern angle of Gomera on a perfectly sheltered creek, surrounded by gardens and date-palms, yielding a fruit of exquisite flavour. The cirque of Valle-Hermoso, on the north coast, contains over ten thousand of these trees, the fibre of which is used for weaving mats, and the fruit for making palm-wine and honey.

Palma, no less noted than Teneriffe for its romantic scenery, consists like it of different geological formations. The northern section, nearly round in shape, forms an isolated dome, in which occurs the most remarkable caldron-like formation in the world. The triangular southern extremity, of more recent origin, is constituted by a distinct chain of volcanoes, running in the direction of the meridian, and connected with the northern mass through the narrow ridge of the Cumbre, or "Summit."

Certain well-watered districts are extremely fertile, while the timber and fisheries are also highly productive. Hence Pa!ma is one of the most densely peopled islands in the archipelago.

The highest summits, the Muchachos, Cruz, and Cedro peaks, rise above a semicircular ridge in the north, where the convex slope of the hills, scored by deep gorges, falls precipitously down to the sea. But on its inland side the amphitheatre of mountains suddenly develops a prodigious chasm about 9 miles round. This is the Caldera, or "Caldron," in a pre-eminent sense, whose steep walls fall abruptly to a depth of 4,000 feet down to the gently sloping grassy plains. Seen from below, these stupendous cliffs strike the spectator with amazement, the effect being much heightened by the contrast between the vast amphitheatre of diverse coloured rocks and the charming scenery at their feet In the centre of this marvellous natural temple the natives formerly worshipped their gods, assembling on solemn occasions round about the "Idafe," a rock in the form of an obelisk, and offering it prayers and sacrifices. In their thoughts this rock doubtless typified the stability of their race, if not of the island and the whole world.

The ridge of La Cumbre, connecting the northern and southern mountain systems, is traversed at an altitude of over 4,670 feet by a fine carriage-road, which affords a means of communication between the populations of both slopes. The southern slope is dominated by the central peak of Vergoyo, which exceeds 6,700 feet. Numerous streams of black marble descend from the main ridge, both sides of which are strewn with cones and craters. Notwithstanding the wasteful habits of the people, pine forests still clothe a large part of the range, from the southern extremity of which flows the Charco Verde, a copious mineral stream frequented by invalids.

Santa-Cruz de la Palma, capital of the island, and centre of its trade and industries, lies on a little bay on the east coast. On the same slope are the villages of Mazo and Los Sauces, near the latter of which is the grotto which has become famous for its Berber hieroglyphics and inscriptions.