GUAM AND ITS PP:()rLE. 4V)5 



I'cu'ests ar(> wild breadfruit trees of u-reiit size;" ^/niut iKiiiyans and 

 other species of the iig- family; tall trees, with hard, uiahogaiiv-like 

 wood; arboreous Apooyriacea^^ several speci(\s of screw pines; and a 

 wealth of ferns growing on the ground, climbing tree trunks, or 

 perched upon the branches like great birds'" nests. In rocky places 

 grow the ramie-liber''' plant, in its wild state as a 1 /ranching shrul) or 

 small tree, and a cycad, resembling a tree fern, with glossy, plume- 

 like fronds.'' In the savannas, or places devoid of forest growth, 

 occur A'ast stretches of a coarse grass called neti, patches of a l)rake- 

 like fern,'' and scattered ironwood trees.' The iron wood grows also 

 along the sandy beaches, especially on the east coast of the island, 

 where the trees present a twisted and battered appearance, from the 

 constant trade winds and the effects of the frequent hurricanes. In 

 the rich \'alleys the betel-palm is plentiful; '"and near the banks of 

 streams grow a tree fern (Alsophila) and giant arums.'-' Twining in 

 the thickets are several species of morning-glories, plants of the bean 

 family, wild yams, with sharp, wiry branching thorns, and a peculiar 

 leafless, wir^^ parasite.'' In the swamps are dense growth of reeds 

 and marsh ferns. The vegetation along the beach is like that of most 

 tropical shores, made up of goats-foot convolvuhis, sea beans, and 

 shrubby plants with fleshy and hairy leaves. On the rocky islets, 

 besides the Cycas mentioned above, grows a fine hard-wood tree called 

 chopag by the natives.' In the swamps are tangled growths of man- 

 groves propped up on aerial roots and crimson-flowered Lumnitzeras. 



It may be of interest to those unfamiliar with Pacific insular floras 

 to note the absence of pines, cedars, willows, walnuts, birches, cacti, 

 and plants belonging to the I'ose famil}'; there are few composites and 

 but one or two crucifers. It is prohable that none of the palms are 

 indigenous, with perhaps the exception of a wild rattan (Calanms) of 

 no economic value. 



Fauna. — Besides rats and mice the only mannnals are a large fruit- 

 eating bat, or flying fox;-* a small insectivorous bat which during the 

 daytime remains in caves; wild hogs, and a species of deer introduced 

 into the island by Don Mariano Tol)ias, who w\as governor from 1771 

 to 1774. The deer are now so al)undaiit as to cause serious damage to 

 the corn crops and young cocoanuts. Goats are also to be ft)und on 

 several of the outlying islets. Cattle and carabaos, or water buffalo, 

 have been introduced and are used both for food and as beasts of 

 burden. 



Among the l)irds are sc\'eral speci(\s of fruit doves, a pretty little 

 fan-tailed fl^^catcher, scarlet-and-]»iack honey eaters with long, slender 



" Artocarpus cotnminih. f Arcca calechv. 



I' BccJirnerianivea, var. fmarisK!i)ifi. i/ Alocmia spj). 



<^ CycuH circinalh. >>■ CanKylhajiUformitf. 



'' GJeiche.n[a dicJioloma. «.A si)ecics of Ochrocarims. 



(' Casuarmti eqmsei.ifoha. J Ptcropus kcraudrevi . 



