VINCA, PERIWINKLE; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants. There are four species, three of which are commonly cultivated in our gardens, viz. 1. The minor, or smaller periwinkle, hath slender, ligneous, trailing, green stalks, branching and running considerably along the ground, emitting roots at the joints; garnished with oval, spear-shaped, thick, smooth, shining-green leaves, in pairs opposite; and flowers growing singly on proper peduncles at the sides of the branches, of different colours in the varieties.
2. The major, or large green periwinkle, rises with shrubby, somewhat erect, green stalks, a foot or two high, with tops inclining to the ground; large, oval, shining-green leaves, in pairs opposite; and large blue flowers singly on foot-stalks at the axillae of the branches. There is a variety with white flowers.—Both the species are perennial in root, stem, and branches, with leaves in perpetual verdure, and begin flowering in the spring, about March and April; the flowers moderately large, each being of one salver-shaped petal, spreading at the brim, and cut into five parts; generally continue flowering in succession several months, and even sometimes in winter, in mild seasons, especially the vinca major.
3. The rosea, or rose periwinkle of Madagascar, rises with an upright, shrubby, smooth, branching stem, a yard or more high; having a brownish bark; ob-
long-oval, smooth, firm leaves, placed opposite; and large beautiful, rose-like, crimson, and pale-red flowers, singly and in pairs at the sides of the branches, being large, spreading above, and divided into five segments; appearing very ornamentally from the spring till winter, succeeded by ripe seeds in the autumn.
The two former kinds may be propagated by layers, cuttings, and suckers; and will thrive any where; but the last being tender, must be constantly kept in a stove.
ST VINCENT, one of the Caribbee islands, which received its name from being discovered on the 22d of January, the feast of that Saint. It lies from 13° to 13° 20' of north latitude, and in longitude 59° 40' west from London. At the distance of between 5 and 6 leagues south-west from St Lucia, 23 south-west from Martinico, 36, or, as some compute, 40 south of Dominica, 20 west-by-south from Barbadoes, and 17 or 18 north-east from Grenada. Being thus situated directly to the leeward of Barbadoes, it may in a few hours be reached from thence; and is at the same time so seated as to cover and connect the small islands that lie between it and Grenada. It stretches in length from south to north about 25 miles, and is about 13 in breadth; its circumference between 60 and 70. In point of size therefore it differs but little from Barbadoes. The climate is very warm; at least in the judgment of Europeans. The country is in general hilly, in some places mountainous; but interspersed with a variety of pleasant valleys, and some luxuriant plains, the soil being every where very fertile, and the high grounds are at least in general easy of ascent. Few islands of its extent are so well watered: for several rivers run down from the mountains, and smaller streams from almost every hill; there are likewise several fine springs at a little distance from the sea. The inhabitants raise all kinds of ground provisions in plenty, and with little trouble. The rivers supply them with a variety of fish; and the same may be said of the sea that washes their coasts. They have abundance of excellent fruits, and very fine timber fit for almost every use; and with which they formerly supplied their neighbours.
The French, though they did not venture to raise sugars, had several spacious plantations at the mouths and on the sides of the rivers, planted with cacao trees, coffee, indigo, and fine tobacco. There are several commodious bays on the north-west and south-west sides; and at the southern extremity there is the deep spacious sandy bay, formerly styled the Bay of St Antonio, but now Kingston Bay, where large ships may ride commodiously; and there is said to be good anchoring ground round the whole island. It remained, for a long space of time after it was discovered by the Europeans, the head-quarters and general rendezvous of the Caribs and Caribies, who from thence made expeditions to the continent, and were also sometimes very troublesome to the adjacent islands. Besides these there are another race of people generally, though very improperly, styled Black Caribs, but who are in reality negroes descended, as is generally believed, from some who escaped out of a Guinea ship wrecked upon the coast, and gradually augmented by such as from time to time fled thither from Barbadoes. These nations were often at war; but when their quarrels were composed,
Vincent, posed; they had a strength sufficient to prevent stran-
Vinci. gers from settling by force.
The French, about half a century ago, at the request of the Caribs, made a descent from Martinico, and attacked the negroes, but were repulsed with loss; and found it their interest to conciliate a friendship with both nations by means of presents, and furnishing them with arms and ammunition, which procured them the means of making those plantations that have been before-mentioned. At the treaty of Paris this island was given up to Britain, but has since been taken by the French. In 1770 its exports were, cotton, 284 bags, at 10l. per bag, 2840l. Coffee, 4818 hundred weight one quarter, six pound, at 3l. 5s. per hundred weight, 15,659l. 9s. 8d. Cacao, 1000 hogsheads and one barrel, at 25l. per hogshead, and 12l. per barrel, 25,012l. Rum, 346 hogsheads, at 10l. per hogshead, 3460l. Sugar, 2866 hogsheads, at 17l. 10s. per hogshead, 50,155l. In all to Great Britain, 97,126l. 9s. 8d. To North America, 13,375l. Total 110,501l. 9s. 8d.