Ascension, a small island in the southern Atlantic 1,000 miles off the Guinea coast. The area is 35 square miles. Population, 120. The island is of volcanic origin. It rises to a height of about 3,000 feet. Fifteen acres are under cultivation. A small British garrison is maintained. There is a regular postal service. Telegraphic communication is carried on with St. Helena 700 miles to the southeast, with England, and with the Cape of Good Hope. The island is the resort of the sea turtle, which come in thousands to lay their eggs in the sand. In 1907, 106 were taken, from 392 to 777 pounds in weight; they are stored in ponds, and eventually killed and distributed among the people. Rabbits, wild goats, partridges, pheasants, and guinea-fowl are more or less numerous on the island, which is, besides, the breeding ground of myriads of the sooty terns or "wideawake." These birds come in vast numbers to lay their eggs about every eighth month.