Their extinction has probably been caused by
the entire destruction of the woods, and the consequent loss of
food and shelter, which occurred during the early part of the last
century.
The history of the changes which the elevated plains of Longwood
and Deadwood have undergone, as given in General Beatson's account
of the island, is extremely curious. Both plains, it is said, in
former times were covered with wood, and were therefore called the
Great Wood. So late as the year 1716 there were many trees, but in
1724 the old trees had mostly fallen; and as goats and hogs had
been suffered to range about, all the young trees had been killed.
It appears also from the official records that the trees were
unexpectedly, some years afterwards, succeeded by a wire grass
which spread over the whole surface. (21/3. Beatson's "St. Helena"
Introductory chapter page 4.) General Beatson adds that now this
plain "is covered with fine sward, and is become the finest piece
of pasture on the island." The extent of surface, probably covered
by wood at a former period, is estimated at no less than two
thousand acres; at the present day scarcely a single tree can be
found there.
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