BARBADOS-ANTIGUA EXPEDITION 219 
father, Dr. Nicholas Nugent, wrote the first published account 
of the geology of the Island, which appeared in the ‘‘ American 
Journal of Science’’ in 1819, just one hundred years ago. 
Investigation in the St. Philip parish was greatly facilitated 
and made very pleasant by the friendly codperation and hospi- 
tality of the Rev. Thomas Streater, rector of the parish, and his 
estimable wife. These good people served as guides to several 
interesting localities and the welcome extended not only to the 
geologist but to other members of the party at the rectory could 
not have been more whole-hearted. Mr. Frank Goodwin, also 
of this parish, was very helpful in securing a fine lot of fossils 
on his estate at Gaynors. 
A report on some of the geological features studied is in 
preparation. 
BOTANICAL NOTES 
My son, Willis Nutting, has furnished me with his notes on 
the flora of Antigua. He does not claim to be a botanist, but 
did most of the work of the expedition along that line. While 
the identifications are in some cases only approximate, he was 
helped a good deal by Mr. A. EH. Collens and the Rev. Hal 
Shepherd, who have considerable knowledge of the plants of the 
island. Many of the names were secured from the ‘‘ Journal of 
Botany.’’ 
On account of the lack of moisture and the tropical climate, 
the flora is distinctly xerophytic; hence various cacti and other 
thorny plants are much in evidence. A most prominent feature 
in the landscape is the Agave americana, the flowering stem of 
which stands twelve or fifteen feet in height. This stalk is very 
pithy and is used in constructing light raft-like boats which are 
used as rowboats by the natives. The pith is also used for 
razor strops. The ‘‘prickly pear’’ (Opuntia tuna) is common 
but less conspicuous and therefore all the more dangerous. A 
thornless cactus is found here, said to have been the basis of the 
form produced by Burbank. It is almost absolutely thornless, 
but much less fleshy than the ordinary prickly pear with which 
it was crossed to form the hybrid produced by Burbank with 
the idea of providing an abundant and satisfactory food for 
cattle. Thorns are everywhere and most troublesome to the 
