The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

PALMA. 79
San-Sclasiian, 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 VaUc-Ucrmoso, 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.
Pahna, 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 forma-
tion in the world. The triangular so\ithern 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 arc extremely fertile, while the timber and
fisheries are also highly productive. Ilence Palma is one of the most densely
peopled islands in the archipelago.
The highest summits, the Muchachos, Cruz, and Cedro j^eaks, rise above a
semicircidar ridge in the north, where the convex slope of the hdls, 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 Caldcra, or " Caldron," in a pre-eminent sense, whose steep
walls fall abruptljr to a depth of 4,000 feet down to the gently sloping grassy
plains. Seen from below, these stupendous clifi!s strike the spectator with amaze-
ment, the effect being much heightened by the contrast between the vast amphi-
theatre 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 praj'crs and sacrifices. In their thoughts this rock
doubtless tjqpified 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 b}^ 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 Yergoyo, which exceeds
6,700 feet. Numerous streams of black marble descend from the main ridge, both
sides of which are stre'^Ti 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.