Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/216

162 is different from any I have before observed, I shall describe it.

The tree being felled, (prickly tree palm,) and the top branches lopped off at their junction, where the cabbage should be, an oblong cistern is cut out, four inches wide, nine long, and six deep. The broad bases of the leaves are laid over this ; the cavity fills, fermentation ensues, and in twenty-four hours a pleasant sharp beverage resembling cider results. If it be allowed to remain longer, it becomes bitter, contains more alcohol, and is less pleasant, and more intoxicating. It is sucked through a tube.

After scrambling through much loose lava rock, which I was surprised to see the animals attempt, as it was entirely hidden by long grass, we reached our sleeping station at seven o'clock, where, having picked out the softest stone bed, and unrigged and tethered our animals, we made the most of our time, by devoting ourselves to the sleeping god.

At dawn on the 10th, we remounted our steeds, and passed yet more difficult ground, until half past six, when Ave reached the lower line of "the Pine range;" that tree observing a distinct height throughout all these mountainous ranges. It became, therefore, a matter of interest to ascertain this elevation, which by barometric data is three thousand feet above the sea-level. Temperature at this time (before sunrise) 66°.

Having tethered our beasts, we commenced the