PERSONALITY OF PLANTS 
Ocean currents also brought other species from 
Africa. ' 
In 1883, a most interesting thing occured on 
the Asiatic island of Krakatoa. A violent vol- 
canic eruption wiped every vestige of life off 
its surface. When the flow of lava ceased and 
the earth cooled once more, Krakatoa was to 
all intents and purposes a volcanic island newly 
risen from the sea. It presented the exact 
analogy of a recently created bit of land wait- 
ing to be settled by the plants. In 1883, it was 
as barren as the face of the moon. In 1888, a 
Mr. Hemsley described its appearance as fol- 
lows :— 
“The first phase of the new vegetation: was a 
thin film of microscopic fresh-water Algae, 
forming a green, slimy coating, such as may 
often be seen on damp rocks, and furnishing 
a hygroscopic condition, in the absence of 
which it is doubtful whether the Ferns by 
which they were followed could have estab- 
ished themselves. Both Algae and Ferns are 
reproduced from microscopic spores, which 
are readily conveyed long distances by winds. 
Eleven species of Ferns were found, all of very 
[44] 
