542 A NATURALIST ON THE "CHALLENGER 



»j 



to find it in flower. As it was not, I cut it down for eating, for 

 the guide was only waiting to let it develop further before fell- 

 ing it for that purpose himself. A few seedling Palms grew 

 near by. Palms of the same genus occur in the tropical Andes. 



Most remarkable in appearance amongst the Composite 

 endemic trees are the species of the genus Dendroseris, allied to 

 our Chicory. The specimens which I saw in flower, were rather 

 large straggling shrubs than trees, but with thick woody stems 

 and branches from 10 to 15 feet in height. The leaves are very 

 like those of a Dandelion in appearance, and the stem which 

 when split open, has a curiously jointed pith, has just the smell 

 of a Dandelion-root, and would, no doubt yield chicory. It 

 pours out, like the Dandelion and allied plants, a milky juice 

 when cut. 



The flesh of the Wild Goats of the island is most excellent 

 eating, no doubt because of the abundance of the feed. In some 

 parts of the island, especially to the south-west, there are open 

 stretches covered, with long grass. Pigeons {Columba cenas), 

 which are said to have been imported into the island, are 

 common, and feed on the hill-sides in flocks. 



Fish are very abundant, and easily caught, as are also Kock- 

 lobsters (Palimirus frontalis) which are very large, and especially 

 good to eat. More than 60 were caught by means of a baited 

 hoop-net put over the ship's side at the anchorage, and hauled 

 up at short intervals. The meat of the tails of these lobsters is 

 dried at the island for export to Chile. 



N.B. — Some of the matter in the above account was sent in MS. to 

 Mr. Wallace, and is quoted by him in " Tropical Nature/' pp. 143 ; 270- 

 272. 



For an account of the Land-birds of Juan Fernandez, see an article by 

 Mr. P. L. Sclater in "Ibis," 1871, p. 178. 



For accounts of the island in old times, see " Anson's Voyage." Account 

 given by Capt. Woods Eogers. Funnel's (mate to ' Dampier ') Voyage. 

 London* 1707. Shelvocke's " Voyage of the ' Speedwell,' 1719-1722." 

 London, 1726, — and many others. 



