TOBA'GO, one of the Windward islands (see ANTILLES) belonging to Britian, lies 60• m. s.e. of Grenada, and 18 m. n.e. of Trinidad, is 32 m long, from 6 to 9 broad, and has an area of 97 sq. miles. The island was discovered by Columbus in 1498, and named by him Assumption; the name of Tobago is supposed to have arisen from the free use of tobacco by the Caribs when first visited by Europeans. It came into British pos session in 1764. From its gloomy-looking mountains, dense forests, and abrupt precipices, descending to the sea, Tobago has been called the " Melancholy isle ;" but, on a nearer approach, the aspect becomes more pleasing, though still rough and irregular, being ex tensively occupied with conical hills and spurs, all connected by a ridge running through the interior, the greatest elevation of which is 1800 ft. above the level of the sea. From the high ridge descend deep and narrow ravines, which terminate in small alluvial plains. Scarborough is its chief town, pleasantly situated on the shores of Rochley bay, and at the base of a conical hill rising 422 ft. in altitude, crowned by fort King George. Plymouth, another town, is situated opposite Scarborough, on the leeward shore, about 6 m. distant, and is the landing-place for passengers, etc., from the royal mail-steam
ers. Two-thirds of the island is still covered with primitive forests, comprising many varieties of hard-woods and ornamental trees. The geological formation of the island is, on the whole, similar to that of Trinidad. The climate is considered salubrious; the thermometer ranges from 75° to 90°. The pop. in 1871 was 17,054. The island pro sluces sugar, rum, molasses, cocoanuts, cotton, coffee, and indigo; pimento also grows wild. The quantity of sugar exported for the ten years preceding 1862 averaged 58.598 eats. The value of sugar exported in 1871 was £81,104; in 1873, £37,621. In 1875 the total value of the exports was £92,015; of the imports, £67,772. The number of public schools has recently increased, and about 13 per cent of the population were re ceiving education—a much higher average than in the other West India islands. The island is governed by a lieutenant-governor, under the governor of Barbadoes as chief.