New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-07
A NATURALIST IN THE VEST INDIES.
THE DANISH ISLAND OF ST. THoMAs-ooLLRcT-
ING SPECIMENS.

THE DANISH ISLAND OF ST. THoMAs-CoLLECT-
ING SPECIMENS
From Our Special Correspondent
OK BOARD STEAMER HAVANA, July. 1861.
St. Thomas is little island lying about 35 miles
east of Porto Rico and it ia the largest aud western
most Of group of small rocky islands called the Viz
gin Island situated at the angle where the chain Of
the West Indian islands bends TO run southwark as
the Windward Isles 1t is l2 miles long aud about
wide rugged and mountainous. being in some parts,
/ should judge much over 900 feet. Some years ago
it was more or less cultivated but at present agcul
ture is abandoned and except several little farms,
which produce few vegetables, the whole is wooded
and untitled. The population has concentrated itself
in the capital ST. Thomas. which is little town stu
aed on the southern side of the island on small but
excellent harbOr, in sort of amphtheateT. among
the hills. - SO, -,
their red tiled roofs gave very picturesque appear
very little fort with rdiculously little guns is
perched on the point the western side OF the en-
trance to the harbOr The other defenses consist Of
a small fort in the eastern part OF the town. an
ancient looking affair out OF whose paTapets peep nu
nerOus comical looking guns, liberal supply OF
which are arranged along sort Of low platform run
ming around the fort outside. We dropped anchor
among a number of fine ocean steamers principally
French and British. belonging to the several West
Indian lines, and from the fleet of boats which
swaTmed about the steamer had no difficulty in en-
RHg1ng man Tor the DAY, tOr though III was SUNDAY
could not resist the temptation to avail myself of
the long looked forwardtO opportunity OF reyisitng
tho coral grounds. and of making some geological
studies in the bay 1t was not right Of course but
a naturalist who could under such circumstances
have resisted the temptation Of exploring 80 rich
and new field would have possessed more self
denial than have got To roast aboard the steamer
in the coal dust and with the yelling and singing of
the negroes engaged in putting IN coal and water.
would have been veritable penance. To go on
shore in foreign port and shut ones self mp, was
not 10 be thought of, so i chose to spend tho day
with nature. and now let me tell you what saw.
first went on shore in the towp 10 furnish myself
with some materials for collecting. The principal
street like all the Others with an unpronounceable
Danish name, parallel to the water and Is lined
with stores and magazines of different kinds and
these. though ii was Sunday, had their 'front.' doors
ajar OF their back doors open.
Passing by the POstOfice where noisy crowd was
gathered awaiting the distribution OF the mails tho
first person met was fiDe tall erect gaily dressed
negro woman stalking along with a little plate Of
something on the head, sight one rarely sees out
side of the tropics. Half of the persons met in the
streets were negroes or dark-skinned. One heard
here knot of negro frutsellers. speaking strange
Creole pdt0is while few words of Danish fell on the
ear from family evidently on their way to chapel
In the restaurant where afterward dned there was
heard very Babel Of tongues. Danish Is the 0i cal
language Of the island: but eyory Que speaks En-
glish
and that is kept by Dane, Mr.. Rise, a gentleman
who has devoted much of his time to tho study Of the
natural history Of tho Island and who has made
scum of Copenhagen. Agassiz found his collection
of 10 fishes of st. Thomas very complete. and con-
tanning very many rare things. A French naturalist
DR.. Du Chassaing, has resided for several years
this island. He is especially noted for his
mOirs cOrals large number of West Indian spe-
cies of which he has described His splendid collec-
ton at ST. Thomas is now for sale. Some American
Museum ought TO buy it,
Mr. Rise has the monopoly in the drug business
The Danish Government has granted monopoies in
other branches Of trade, but do not know bow gen
orally this system obtains.
The town has a number Of rather unpretending
public buildings several churches of different de-
hail. Governors residence, and several hotels. not
tie saw of them. Among the dwelling houses
pointed out to me a -browed edifice noted
the late residence Of Santa Anna There are two
castleke, antique-loOking structures browning two
hills on the east part which my boatIian said
the castles Of pryateers built long ago. Near tho
landing place is little public square filled with
beautiful trees and flowers. and with nicely ladout
walks There are four markets In the vegetable
market one finds o very fine display Of tropical
fruits and vegetables. all Of which. almost without
exception come from tho neighboring island Of Santa
Cruz.
The fish market Is in the eastern part Of the town,
and is supplied with excellent fish of very great
variety Of species. shell fish, DC. One accustomed
to the plain dress of the salmon and goldfish and
mackerel of Fulton Market can form no idea of tho
briliiancy of cooring Of tropical fish. The fish
offered for sale in the markets OF 81. Thomas and Rio
de- Jauero via In tho rich and splendid tiuting Of