THE 



VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



BOTANY. 



REPORT on the Botany of Juan Fernandez, the South-Eastern Moluccas, 

 and the Admiralty Islands. By W. Botting Hemsley, A.L.S. 



JUAN FERNANDEZ AND MASAFUERA. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 



Originally the name Juau Fernandez was applied to a group of three islands, of which 

 the two principal were called Masatierra and Masafuera, indicating their positions with 

 regard to the mainland. Now, that of Juan Fernandez is ordinarily applied to Masatierra 

 only. This island, which is much the larger of the two, lies in about 33° 45' S. latitude 

 and 80° W. longitude, or about 400 miles from the coast of Chili. The area is about 

 twenty square miles ; * and the greatest altitude is 3000 feet. A few miles to the 

 south is a small island called Santa Clara or Goat Island. Masafuera is about ninety 

 miles westward of Juan Fernandez ; it is a barren rock of lava and scoria, concerning 

 which, however, we have found no details, though some twenty species of vascular 

 plants have been collected there by different travellers. 2 The coast is precipitous, and 

 landing on any part perilous and difficult. Within historical times Juan Fernandez has 

 suffered from violent earthquakes, which have desolated the settlements. Lord Anson 

 visited it in 1741, and his description of its products is the earliest of note, yet it 

 contains little precise information on its natural history. 



1 For further particulars on the physical composition, climate, &c, see Mr Moseley's notes below (pp. 8, 

 et seqq.), and Narrative of the Cruise of H.M.S. Challenger, Chap. xix. 



2 The island is described as being covered with trees by the Eev. Mr "Walter in his narrative of Commodore 

 Anson's stay at Juan Fernandez, as cpioted in Crusoniana, p. 97. See p. 25, posted. 



(bot. chall. exp. — part in. — 1884.) C 1 



