4 MR. n, N. RIDLEY ON THE 



in the island for the purpose of working the guano. But the 

 island has been inhabited to a certain extent at some time, as it 

 is said that refractory convicts were formerly turned loose on the 

 island by way o£ punishment. 



Tliere is a good permanent spring of water on the north side 

 of the isle. The fauna includes, besides sea-birds, a Dove, Ze~ 

 naida NoronTicn ; but the Tyrant and Vireo found on Pernando 

 Noronha are here absent. A Lizard and an AmpliisbcBna are 

 both very abundant. Insects were very plentiful, though only 

 a few species were taken ; and one of the endemic mollusca was 

 plentiful on th-e west coast. 



The next island is Ilha do Meio, and, like the adjacent portion 

 of Eat Island, it consists of a thick deposit of coral-reef overlying 

 the basalt. As mentioned above, it is evidently only a detached 

 portion of Eat Island, and probably but recently separated. 

 The surface is very flat, so that no bushes or trees can grow upon 

 it, excepting that upon the cliff-faces Cacti, Oxalis Noronhce, and 

 other plants exist, being protected from the wind. 



The reef is worn into holes and caves, and the low cliffs shelter 

 many nesting sea-birds, whence its name of Booby Island. 



Sella Giueta, or St. Michael's Mount, is a peak of phonolite 

 rising almost vertically from the sea, and, owing to the violence 

 of the surf beating on it, is very difficult of access. It was visited 

 by Professor Moseley during the ' Challenger ' expedition, and is 

 covered, where the surface of the rock permits it, with an 

 abundant native flora, including Sapium, Capparis CynojyliaUo- 

 phora, Cereus insularis, Oxalis Noronhce, Dactylcena micrantha. 

 As it has never been inhabited, all the weeds of cultivation 

 except AmarantJius are absent; but the Lizard is abundant and 

 large, and tamer here than on the other islands. A few insects 

 occurred, and the Dove was plentiful, but neither the Vireo nor 

 the Tyrant. Several of the sea-birds nest here, including the 

 Tropic-bird {Phaethon cetliereus) and the Frigate-bird {Fregata 

 aqnila) . 



From the fauna and flora of this sj^ot it appears that the island 

 was stocked while still connected with the other islands. 



The islands lying between the Sella Giueta and the main isle 

 call for little remark. The biggest is Ilha Eaza, or Egg Island. 

 It much resembles Ilha do Meio in form and structure, and the 

 flora is similar. San Jose, or Platform Island, is connected with 

 the main island by a ridge of basalt-rock only exposed at very low 



