THE ISLAND INHABITED 101 



overgrown with trees and scrub, which in some 

 places had become so thick as to be impenetrable. 

 Here and there were groves of cocoanut trees, 

 and in one place a large plantation of maize. 



Our information in Madagascar was to the effect 

 that Glorioso had no inhabitants, so that when 

 we put in to the sandy leeward shore we set off 

 immediately in -different directions to collect. 

 It was with some surprise that, after a short walk, 

 I came upon a large field of maize in which two 

 negroes were working. They at once came to me, 

 and informed me that the owner of the island 

 wished to see me. I followed them to a small 

 settlement, almost hidden by casuarina trees. 

 Over one of the houses the French flag was flying. 

 On entering the house I was met by the pro- 

 prietor, who appeared to be somewhat indignant 

 at our landing on his territory without permission. 

 When matters were explained, however, he became 

 quite friendly, and after a while gave us permission 

 to collect or do whatever we liked on his property. 

 He informed me that he had rented Glorioso for 

 a term of years to cultivate all the spots suitable 

 for cocoanuts. The palms which he had already 

 planted appeared to be doing well indeed, for, 

 although young, they had already borne an ex- 

 cellent crop of nuts. 



There are five resident species of land-birds 

 in Glorioso : all except one of these are identical 

 with Madagascan species. The only bird which 



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