Stewart — Botanical Conditions pn the Galapagos Islands. 295 



iana, the only place on the islands where this species assumes the 

 climbing habit in such a pronounced way. 



The edges of recent flows of lava are often bordered with 

 bushes of Cordia lutea, and Waltheria reticulata forma interme- 

 dia, both of which occur in other places but less abundantly. 



No collecting was done on the upper part of the island, but 

 according to Mr. Beck, who visited this part, the country is cov- 

 ered with beds of recent lava which have but little vegetation on 

 them. There are a few moist places, in the vicinity of steam- 

 vents, in this region, around which such ferns as Ceropteris tar- 

 tarea, Nephrolepis biserrata, and Polypodium squamatum grow 

 to some extent. The whole of the island may be included in the 

 dry region. 



Brattle Island. 



Brattle is a small island, that is situated about four miles off 

 the south side of Albemarle Island near its eastern end. It is a 

 semilunar in general outline and is the remains of an old tufa 

 crater the south and west sides of which have been eroded away, 

 except in two places, where there are small islets. The top of 

 the island is 275 ft. above sea level, and the sides are very steep 

 and much cut up with gullies and ravines. Owing to the steep 

 nature of the shores landing is difficult, and can only be done 

 with safety on the north side, when the water is comparatively 

 still. 



The greater part of the surface of the island is bare of vegeta- 

 tion, a condition that is probably due to the steep sides and the 

 loose soil, which is composed of volcanic ashes and small bits of 

 lava loosely cemented together. 



The most common plant on the island is a low bush which is 

 covered with thick, succulent leaves, and which forms thickets 

 around the top in various places. This plant was neither in 

 flower or fruit at the time the island was visited so it could not 

 be identified with certainty. Bushes of Croton Scouleri occur 

 along the sides to some extent, but they are stunted and the 

 leaves are smaller here than is usually the ease with this species. 

 Three species of herbaceous plants: Coldenia fusca, Ipomoea 

 Kinbergi, and Tribulus cistoides were found at the top, as well 

 as the remains of several grasses. Two lichens, Ramalina com- 

 planata and Rocella peruensis are also found. 



