Nevis, so close to St. Kitt's, is very similar to it, and not only in its geological structure, but also in the manner in which it was settled and planted, and now generally in the condition of its inhabitants, and yet not without some points and shades of difference.

The island, is commonly described as a single cloud-capped mountain, rising gradually from the sea level. It is so, but with the addition in opposite directions of two hills, processes as it were, of the main mass, connected by a kind of isthmus, or shoulder. These are Saddleback hill,—a hill somewhat of the form implied by the name, at one extremity, and Round-hill at the other.

In circuit, Nevis is about 24 miles; in length about 4, in breadth 3, comprising an area of about 24 square miles. The mountain,—for so it is called there, having no rival, and requiring no special name to distinguish it,—is of a conical form, its summit truncated, of an elevation supposed to be not under 2000 feet. Though its declivities are generally gentle and without abrupt cliff-terminations towards the sea, its sides are more or less irregular, presenting great variety of form, with picturesque effect, in abutments, depressions, and gullies.