Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/92

 66 WEST AFEICA. importance until the vineyards of the Canaries, like those of Madeira, were ruined bv oidiurn. Planters then turned their attention to cochineal, which was first introduced in 1825, but was little developed till 1852, when guano began to be used to stimulate the growth of the nopal cactus, on which the insect feeds. In a few years the production far exceeded that of the whole world, and extensive forests were cleared in Gran Canaria and Teneriffe to extend this industry, which still forms the largest staple of export, although now mostly replaced by aniline and alizarine dyes. In 1862 several attempts were made to introduce tobacco, which succeeded beyond all expectation, especially in Palma and parts of Gran Canaria. At present the Canary cigars are held in almost as great esteem as those of Havana itself. Of alimentary plants, next to cereals, onions and potatoes are the most important, and are largely grown for the Cuba and Puerto-Rico markets. Oranges, although of fine flavour, are no longer exported. The agricultural produce is insufficient for the constantly increasing population, which has consequently begun to emigrate in large numbers. As comparatively few women take part in the movement, the census of 1877 showed an excess of 20,000 females over males in a total population of 280,000. Most of the young men go to Havana, whence, after making their fortunes, a few return under the name of " Indies," meaning in the eyes of the natives that they possess " all the wealth of Ind." When Louisiana belonged to Spain (1765 to 1800) many Canarians settled in that region, where some of their communities still maintain an independent existence. ToPOG R APH Y — Lanza rote. Ahgrartza, the first island in the extreme north-east, scarcely deserves this appellation, being little more than a rocky and arid mass of lavas dominated by a waters of this first Canarian rock, which is occupied by a solitary family engaged in collecting orchilla and capturing birds. Farther south rises the cone-shaped Montana Clara (280 feet), followed by Graciom, which is separated only by a rio, or " river," that is, a narrow channel, from Lanzarote. It was formerly wooded ; but the timber having been cut down by the owner, most of the island has been covered with sand from the Sahara. The sands have also invaded Lanzarote itself, which now consists mainly of sand, ashes, and scoriae. The slopes are destitute of trees, springs are rare, and the islanders have in many places to depend on the brackish water of their wells and cisterns. The hills of Lanzarote develop a regular chain only in the north, terminating westwards in the volcanic cones of Corona, Helechos, and Famara, the last being the highest summit in the island. East of Corona occur a number of elliptical and circular pits, varying in depth from 30 to over 60 feet, and leading to galleries formed, like those of the Azores, by the rapid flow of lavas in a highly fluid state. In some places several of these galleries are disposed in storeys one above the other.
 * caldron " or crater 360 feet high. A lighthouse on the east side illumines the