for scientific investigation. Devoid of myths, almost without 

 legends, and barely beginning to make history, the Galapagos com- 

 prise an amazingly fertile field for zoologists, producing many new 

 and rare forms of life unknown on the continents. 



Surrounding waters and littoral zones are alive with marine 

 forms which are profoundly affected by the ocean currents. In this 

 region the gigantic Humboldt Current, which sweeps northwest- 

 ward out of the Antarctic along the shores of South America, 

 diflfuses itself in a broad swing westward into mid-Pacific along the 

 equator. Warmer tropical currents out of the Gulf of Panama also 

 play a part in the ever-changing oceanic phenomena of the area. 



There are ten large islands in the group and innumerable smaller 

 islands and islets covering an area approximately 180 miles wide and 

 200 miles long. Because the Spanish named them first and the Eng- 

 lish afterward, most of the islands bear dual names, even on modern 

 charts. We use the English names. 



The largest is Albemarle, with the contour of a wrinkled old 

 sock which has fallen from the wash line to the ground. It is 75 

 miles long and the foot about 5 miles wide. Five giant volcanoes 

 spewed up from the bottom of the ocean and their lava flowed 

 together in a tremendous jumbled mass, forming Albemarle. 



Just to the west of Albemarle stands Narborough Island, almost 

 a part of its neighbor. A narrow channel separates the two, and 

 Tagus Cove, on the Albemarle side, forms a fine anchorage. To the 

 north and east of Albemarle is James Island, so recently volcanic 

 that one never can count all the cones and f umaroles in passing. A 

 little further to the east and south is Indefatigable Island, some 3 

 miles in diameter. Almost directly south of the last named is 

 Charles Island, most famous of the group because of repeated 

 tragedies that have marked efforts to settle on her shores. 



Chatham Island, the seat of government, lies to the southeast 

 of Indefatigable. East of Charles and south of Chatham is Hood 

 Island, southeasternmost of the group. Smaller in size, but still 

 immense and most desolate are Tower, Bindloe and Abingdon 

 Islands, lying from east to west in the order named. There are 

 dozens of other islands and islets, the best known being North and 

 South Seymour, Harrington, Duncan, Jarvis, and the Daphne 

 Islands. Only a few support animal life. i8o 



