Stewart — Botanical Conditions pn the Galapagos Islands. 335 



This island shows more evidence of recent volcanic activity 

 than any other island in the group. The sides are covered in 

 most places with deposits of basaltic lava and volcanic cinder 

 Avhich are practically bare of vegetation in most places. There 

 are, however, occasional islands of older lava, which were not 

 covered by the more recent flows, on which there is a consider- 

 able amount of vegetation. Some of these islands are quite 

 large. One was visited on the north side, and was found to ex- 

 tend from the base of the crater to the shore, while on the east 

 and west sides of it there were extensive beds of volcanic cinder 

 of more recent origin. The older lava was deeply stained 

 through weathering. There were occasional lava tunnels in the 

 older lava, the tops of which had fallen in in places leaving 

 openings into long narrow caverns high enough in places for one 

 to walk through them in comfort. There wa^ but little soil on 

 this part of the island in consequence of which the vegetation 

 was very scanty. 



The island was visited for botanical purposes on the north, 

 and northeast sides. The shores are bordered by low cliffs, 

 along the north side, which are almost perpendicular in most 

 places. On this account landing is difficult and even dangerous 

 except in calm weather. As there is no suitable anchorage on 

 this side, we visited it in boats, and it was necessary for one 

 member of the party to remain in the boat and keep it off shore, 

 while the remainder of the party did their collecting. On this 

 account our stay here was more limited than it would have other- 

 wise been. 



Botanical conditions were very discouraging. There are no 

 trees of any kind on this part unless the few small Burseras 

 which occur here, could be designated as such. Neither Cereus 

 or Opuntia is to be found although they both occur on the south 

 side of the island. There is a scattered growth of bushes con- 

 sisting of: Castela galapageia, Cordia Hookeriana, Euphorbia 

 diffusa, Lippia rosmarinifolia, Scalesia narbonensis, and "Wal- 

 theria reticulata forma intermedia. Vines of Asclepias angus- 

 tissima, and Cissampelos Pareira were found to be growing on 

 the bushes in places. Several species of grasses grow from the 

 lava crevices among which are, Bouteloua pilosa, Cenehrus gran- 

 ulans, Eragrostis ciliaris, and Paspalum canescens. A single 

 fern, Notholaena sulphurea, was found at an elevation of about 

 500 ft. 



