348 A NATURALIST ON THE "CHALLENGER." 



became redder, and consolidated crusts were here common 

 upon its surface, as at Bermuda. The sand rock is mostly 

 redder than the beach sand from which it is formed. Perhaps 

 this is due to the loss of a certain quantity of lime, and con- 

 sequent greater proportion of iron ; or perhaps to the action of 



the birds' dung. 



On the island I found eleven flowering plants ; I believe 

 there are no more. Two of these are grasses. The grass covers 

 tracts bordering the shores, where no other plant grows, and it 

 is here that the terns breed. I could find no moss, fern, or lichen 

 on the island, so that here from the action of drought and ex- 

 treme heat, the conditions are just the opposite of what they are 

 in an Antarctic island, such as Possession Island, where Crypto- 

 gams only grow. Some Fungi, and low algae possibly, on the 

 birds' dung, and perhaps some parasitic fungi on the plants, 

 were probably the only Cryptogams in the island. There were 

 even no seaweeds to be seen cast up on the beach. 



There were no vestiges remaining of gardens made on the 

 island in 1844, by the crew of the " Ply/' and planted with cocoa- 

 nuts, pumpkins, and other plants ; all has been overwhelmed by 

 the drift sand. I found what I hope may prove a favourable 

 spot, and planted pumpkin, tomato, capsicum, water melon, and 

 Cape gooseberry seeds. I think the latter plant very likely 

 indeed to grow. There is very good black vegetable soil in 

 places on the island. 



The most striking feature at Ptaine Island is formed by the 

 birds. They are in such numbers as to darken the air beneath 

 as they fly overhead, and the noise of their various mingled 

 screams is very trying to the ears at first, but not so painful as 

 that of a penguin rookery. Eleven species of birds were seen on 

 the island. A heron, seen only at a distance, the cosmopolitan 

 " Turnstone," and a small Gull {Larus Novce Hollandice) appeared 

 to be casual visitors to the island, as they were not nesting 

 there ; the Turnstones being seen in flocks on the shore. 



The birds breeding on the island were as follows : — A Land- 

 rail (Ralhis pectoralis), a widely spread species, occurring com- 

 monly in Australia, Central Polynesia, the Moluccas, and the 

 Philippines. These birds were tame, and were knocked down 



