BOT.-VOL. I.] EASTWOOD-STUDIES FROM THE HERBARIUM. 91 



excepting near the upper termination of the escarpment 

 mentioned, where they have been denuded by wind and 

 rain. In a few places the sand-stone is capped with lime- 

 stone bleached to chalky whiteness. Patches of small 

 water-worn bowlders and pebbles of quartzite, porphyry, 

 etc., are occasionally met with on the table-land. The 

 escarpment is most abrupt on the south side of the island 

 and in some cases is washed into picturesque canons. The 

 western end of the island is exposed to westerly winds 

 which often blow for many days without intermission; as a 

 result one meets with many sand dunes, with an occasional 

 outcropping of shell heaps which have resisted the wind's 

 force. In many places may be seen impressions or casts 

 of roots of trees, ranging in size from coarse fibers to 

 several inches in diameter. The loose soil and sand have 

 been blown from around them leaving the casts of semi- 

 petrifactions intact. They are so hard as to sound metallic 

 when thrown on the ground or when struck with a hard 

 substance. In other places thousands of columns of indu- 

 rated sand, ranging in height from a few inches to several 

 feet, may be seen. At a distance they look like stumps of 

 small trees. 



"The only animals found on San Nicolas are a small 

 fox, a kangaroo mouse, and a diminutive sand hzard. * * 

 Seals, sea-lions, and other varieties of PhoccF are still found 

 here but in Hmited numbers. In this connection, I may 

 speak of the remains of two species of dogs found all over 

 the island. One of them, which seems to have resembled 

 the bull-terrier, is probably a distinct species, and, if I mis- 

 take not, was identified by Professor Baird. It was domes- 

 ticated by the Indians, and found living here as late as 

 1853. * * * * * * * * * * # 



"Several species of land birds are found. Amongst 

 them may be mentioned the bald eagle, ground owl, raven, 

 crow, and plover. Water fowl are abundant. * * * 



