106 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



the eastern side, which are thus made cooler than the region above 

 them. Otherwise the summer months are intensely hot, especially in 

 the southern poi'tion of the island, and the soil becomes soon every- 

 where so dry that the effect of the temporary summer fogs upon the 

 vegetation is slight. The difference in the seasons, however, at the 

 two extremities of the island is remarkable, as vegetation at the south- 

 ern end and in the eastern canons is at least two months earlier than 

 in the northern and western portions, and has for the most part 

 reached its maturity by the close of May, under the then established 

 heats of summer. The annual amount of actual rainfall is very vari- 

 able, there being an abundance in some years, in others little or 

 none. 



Guadalupe was early known to the navigators of these seas, but it 

 was never permanently occupied. There are evidences of its temporary 

 occupation by shipwrecked sailors, and it was also long ago stocked 

 with goats * for the purpose of supplying fresh meat to vessels short of 

 provisions or suffering from scurvy, and though out of the general 

 course of travel it has been occasionally visited on this account. 

 Twelve years ago an expelled governor of Lower California took 

 refuge here with his family, and remained for two years.' Soon after- 

 ward a party of men from the same State lived for some mouths upon 

 the island engaged in killing the goats, and during the last ten years it 

 has been occupied by a California company, by whom it was purchased 

 for the purpose of raising the Angora goat, and the island is now over- 

 run by these animals. Several men are kept in continual charge of 

 them, and regular visits are made by the vessels of the company. 



With this much of preliminary remark upon those conditions which 

 must affect the vegetation of the island, we may pass to the flora itself. 

 As respects the probable sources from which this flora may have been 

 derived, it is evident that there has been abundant opportunity for the 

 introduction of some species by human agency. These should be 

 especially expected near the usual landing-place upon the eastern 

 side, excepting such as would be probably distributed through the 

 island by means of the goats. Those of most recent introduction in 

 this way would doubtless be Californian ; the older might be from the 

 nearer peninsula or from other localities. Of other recognized 

 agencies for the distribution of plants, — the winds, ocean cur- 



* It is said that this was done by Captain Cook, who, however, was never 

 upon this part of tlie coast. Vancouver passed near the island in 1793, but 

 without slopping. 



