BOURBON, or MASCARENHAS, an island in the Indian ocean, lies in S. Lat. 20° 52', and E. Long. 55° 30', about 100 miles NV. S. W. of Mauritius, and 370 east of Madagascar. When first discovered by the Portuguese, it received the name of Mascaren has ; but this was afterwards changed by the French into Bourbon, and, during the revolution, into Re-uni on, which, in the servility of adulation, sunk in that of Bonaparte. Its form is nearly circular, and, when seen trom a distance, it. appears to rise gradually from every side to a high-peaked point near the centre, the altitude of which is estimated at 9,000 feet above the level of the sea It is 38 leagues in circumfer ence, when following the principal windings of the coast ; and its greatest diameter, from Pointe des Ga lets to Pointe de la Table, is 14 leagues.
This island is composed of two volcanic mountains, the Gros-Morne, and the Volcano ; the latter of which still exercises its tyrannical devastations, and is perpetually emitting either flame or smoke. The Gros-Morne, which lies towards the north, and which is of the greatest dimensions, has long ago ceased its eruptions ; but every feature of the surrounding coun try,—rapid rivers running deep between perpendicular ramparts, and impeded in their course by immense rocks—numerous craters—basaltic prisms, often dis posed in regular colonnades—various beds of lava, and deep rallies and ravines, all indicate the terrible physical revolutions to which it has formerly been subject. Ages, however, have passed, since the northern parts of Bourbon have been freed from the ravages of subterraneous fires. Its bleak surface has been converted into a fruitful soil, by the action of the atmosphere, and the industry of man ; and rich plantations of coffee, and immense corn fields, now adorn the plains, which were formerly covered with liquid lava. But towards the south, the country becomes sterile and scorched, from the great scarcity of springs, and its proximity to the volcano ; and the Pays Brule, or harnt bind, extending over a surface of 12,300,000 square toises, is one continued desert. Bounded on the south by the ocean, and rising with a lofty ascent, it is terminated on the north by the burning dome of the volcano. Its barren and fuligi nous aspect, and the (weary solitude which reigns around, without a habitation to break the uniformi ty of the prospect, presents a frightful picture of de solation. Since Bourbon was first known, the volca no has never ceastai to disquiet its inhabitants ; and from actual observations since 1785, it has been as certained, that it regularly vomits lava at least twice every year, and that in nine of these eruptions, the lava has reached as far as the sea. But should this volcano, which, we have every reason to believe, has already traversed the whole island, make another tour, and renew its devastations in some other quar ter, this desolate region might easily be recovered, and rendered habitable and fertile.
In the line of contact of these two mountains, which runs from N. E. to S. NV. the ground rises on both sides with a gentle ascent from the sea. In this line are the Plaine des Caires, and the Plaine dcs Pal mistes, through which lies the only road of commu nication between the opposite sides of the island, and which, by way of eminence, is called the Plain. The Plaine des Cafres is very unequal, and is rather a number of flats rising insensibly one above the other, than a level plain. Its highest elevation is 4,800 fcct above the level of the sea, while its lowest is only 3,600. It is little better than a desert. A tree is scarcely to be seen. A few tufts of shrubs are its only productions, and the more elevated places are absolutely bare, or covered only with heath. On the N. E. lies the Plaine des Palmistes, which forms a striking contrast to the sterility of the Plaine des Cafres. It is every where covered with the most luxuriant verdure, and is watered by the river Seche, which traverses its surface in a serpentine direction, and receives from its sloping sides many tributary streams. This plain resembles an immense circle, surrounded on every side, except towards the ocean, by a rampart, rising gradually from the centre to the height of 1,800 feet above its base, and 2,700 above the level of the sea. It received its name from a spe cies of tree with which it abounds, and concerning which a circumstance is mentioned by M. Bory, which is particularly worthy of observation. We give it entirely upon that gentleman's authority, and in his own words. " Si l'on est assez heureux pour sur prendre ces hautes montagnes dans un moment de calm profond, et lorsque tous les vents semblent re tenir lour haleins, on pourra verifier l'observation suivantc, qui me parut si singulicre que je n'osai pas d'abord m'en rapporter a moi-meme. Je consultai, a ce suject, l'exact M. Hubei t, qui m'a assure avoir remarquer comme moi, que les frondes flexibles des fialmistes,* lorsque la paix des airs le permet, se dili gent par un mouvement insensible vers le milieu the File ; it faut etre tres attentif pour saisir cet ordre apparent, qui est peut•etre a l'attraction rpm les montagnes exercent :t cet ordre est a peine visible sur un seul arbre, c'est sur l'ensemble de tous les palmis tes vus a-la-fois, qu'il faut le chercher. J'ai apercu, au milieu d'un de ces calmes profonds, des risees in dociles echappees d'une gorge agiter toutes les tetes qui se trouvaicnt sur leur route ; bientot apses les feuilles balancees, pendant pen a peu leur agitation, reprenaicnt leur direction premiere." Voyage, &c. torn. ii. p. 389.