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MB. H. K. BIDLET ON THE 







Some geographers seem to have been doubtful as to what this 

 island described by Vespucci was, and several other islands 

 wAfA ftiiormRtftd. including the mvthical St. Matthew's Isle and 





Bocks 



presence of abundant fresh water and trees, negative this sug- 

 gestion. Humboldt and most other geographers, however, seem 

 to agree that this island was certainly Fernando Noronha. 



There are several very interesting points in the account quoted 

 above. First, the author merely mentions one island. Now, 

 without doubt the whole chain was connected at one time, but 

 whether or not it was so when Vespucci discovered it must 

 remain doubtful. The wrecked ship was lost probably off Eat 

 Island, the first point that they would come to ; and if Vespucci 

 anchored in San Antonio Bay, on the north side, which is the 

 nearest good anchorage, he would, as he says he was, be unable 



ground 



and it. His 



merable birds is evidently correct, though most of the trees are 

 destroyed, and the birds far less abundant than they were then. 

 The lizards with two tails may have been a confusion of the 

 very abundant and conspicuous G-ecko with the Amphisbcena, 



snake 



tailed 



of which monstrosity 



obtained by our expedition. The 



serpents were doubtless the Amphisbcena. But the large rats 



are 



Mus rattus % the common introduced black 



It is impossible that the animals seen by Vespucci could have been 

 this species, which could not at that time have been introduced. 

 Is it not probable that there was formerly an indigenous rat-like 



mammal 



We 



could find no tradition even of this big rat, and I fear it is quite 

 extinct. The only hope of recovering its remains lies in the 

 guano deposits of Bat Island, where its bones might be pre- 

 served. 



Obigin op the Floba. 



Before suggesting an origin or origins of the present Flora of 

 the group, it must first be pointed out that there is no evidence 

 whatever to show a former connection with the mainland of Brazil 

 at any time, in spite of what has been asserted by Dr. Battray 



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