Dominica, situated between the two French islands, Martinique and Guadaloupe, about 25 miles from each, is 29 miles in length and 16 in breadth, as commonly estimated, comprising within its area 186,436 acres.

In its general character it more resembles St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada, than any of the leeward group to which it belongs. These even it surpasses in boldness and ruggedness of form, in the height of its mountains, the depth of its Tallies, the abruptness of its shores, and I may add, though with some hesitation, writing chiefly from the report of others, in the wild and picturesque beauty of its scenery.

Though hitherto little explored, there appears to be no doubt, that this island is principally volcanic and composed, like those others which it resembles, of volcanic products, either elevated or ejected, such as crystalline igneous rocks, the result of fusion, or of tufas formed of ashes and scoriæ. All the specimens which I have examined and all the information I have been able to collect accord with this view of its structure, as do also its many soufrieres and hot springs; the former probably craters of eruption.