CHAP. XIII THE aALAPAGOS ISLANDS 277 



long, and of a rounded or elongate form. The whole are 

 entirely volcanic, and in the western islands there are 

 numerous active volcanoes. Unlike the other groups of 

 islands we have been considering, these are situated in a 



MAP OF THE GALAPAGOS. 



The light tint shows a depth of less than 1,000 fathoms. 

 The figures show the depth in lathoms. 



comparatively calm sea, where storms are of rare occur- 

 rence and even strong winds almost unknown. They are 

 traversed by ocean currents which are strong and constant, 

 flowino- towards the north-west from the coast of Peru ; 



