274 



sitting unperturbed within a few yards of the lancHng party, of 

 ninnerous species of sedges {Cy penis) in the reddish soil, of rank 

 Cryptocarpus vines strangling the racks for fish-drying, and of the 

 all-pervading smell of fish long dead. Rusted remains of canning 

 machinery, a Ford tractor and other hauling devices, and a large 

 pressure cooker littered the outside of one of the two remaining 

 buildings. I had made notes in a copy of Stewart's " Flora of the 

 Galapagos Islands," and had had the opportunity of examining the 

 splendid representation of Galapagos plants at the Gray Herba- 

 rium, but it took little experience to note the most luxurious growth 



Fic. 10. Cactus {Ccrcus) at Iiulcfatit^ahle Island. 



that I have ever seen of our common all-])ervading weed Portulaca 

 olcracca. A few straggling squash vines were intermingled. In 

 the upper story of the fish house where we ])iled our belongings 

 cockroaches were plentiful, and the placing of provisions in Chap- 

 in's screened bird-box did not prevent the infiltration of hordes of 

 small red ants. 



The day was clear and the far oil summit and intervening forest 

 of Indefatigable were well-defined. Outside in the blazing sun the 

 heat was intense. Of the shrubs, Cordia lutea in full bloom pro- 



