2 MR. H. N. RIDLEY ON THE 



useful negro convict as a guide. We occupied ourselves in 

 exploring and collecting plants, animals, and rock-specimens in 

 all parts of the main islands, and visited also most o£ tlie other 

 islets which were accessible ; but owing to the absence of boats, 

 which are not permitted on the island, we were unable to 

 obtain much by dredging. The coral-reefs, however, at low 

 tide afforded an abundant harvest of marine animals and plants. 

 When we arrived at the islands the rains had just ceased, and 

 the herbaceous plants were in flower ; as we left the dry season 

 was commencing, and the herbs were withering and the trees and 

 shrubs were beginning to flower. Several of these latter, indeed, 

 only commenced to flower just a day or two before we left; so 

 that we were only able to procure a few flowers, and in two 

 instances only flowers of one sex, and the fruits also were unpro- 

 curable. This latter defect, however, was in some measure made 

 up for by the kindness o£ the Director, who after our return sent 

 a box of carefully labelled fruits and seeds of some o£ the rarer 

 plants. The nesting-season of the birds had just begun, and we 

 were able to procure nests of two of the endemic land-birds. The 

 sea-birds apparently nested somewhat earlier, as we found young 

 birds almost ready to fly of several species. The insects were 

 tolerably plentiful ; but we were rather late for Lepidoptera, and 

 the Coleoptera also seemed not to be at their best. 



During our visit we had only one or two wet days, and usually 

 the sky was bright and clear, with a strong breeze from the 

 south-east. During December, January, and February we were 

 informed that the island becomes very dry. Most of the streams 

 and puddles are dried up and water is scarce. All the herbaceous 

 plants of the central districts wither, and are set fire to, so as to 

 clear the ground. 



General Account oe the Group. 



The whole group of islands forms a chain about eight miles iu 

 length, and probably at no very distant date were all connected. 

 Indeed there i.s very good evidence to prove that the Avhole was 

 at one time of much larger extent (see p. 17, note, and the 

 Geological Eeport, pp. 86-94). 



The largest island is the main one, about five miles in length 

 and nearly two miles across in one spot, viz. near Tangle Kock, 

 but otherwise very much narrower. The next iu size is Eat 



