296 CHANNEL ISLANDS OF CALIFORNLV 



wide, the land rising in two peaks in the centre, eight 

 hundred and sixty and eight hundred and fifty feet 

 high. It has few beaches; its shores are bold and 

 rocky; and the western end, when the wild wind comes 

 tearing in, is the true lair of the sand-dune. There 

 are no trees, and but few bushes of any kind, the 

 chief verdure being grass of a long, coarse variety 

 vv^hich thrives here. After the rains wild flowers 

 of various kinds appear, and the assumption is that 

 years ago San Miguel may have been well wooded 

 like the rest of the islands, but is now being blown 

 into the sea. 



As you approach from Santa Rosa across the chan- 

 nel, the east end is seen to be a cliff about forty feet 

 high, known as Cardwell Point, and from it a bad reef 

 reaches out for half a mile. About two and one-half 

 miles northwest from here is the famous Cuyler's Har- 

 bor where Cabrillo is said to lie. Scores of attempts 

 have been made to find the remains and give him suit- 

 able honor as the discoverer of California, but so far 

 without results, and some have claimed that Santa 

 Catalina was meant. I believe the only city in Cali- 

 fornia that has honored Cabrillo in any way is San 

 Diego. On one of his anniversaries this city held a 

 celebration that was a credit to the State; but the 

 State should come to the front and erect a suitable 

 monument for Cabrillo at the port of Los Angeles. 

 Deadman's Island could be carved into an appropriate 

 base for the heroic statue that should be placed there 

 or somewhere for the man who discovered Southern 

 California and gave it to the world. 



A large island lies off Cuyler's (Prince). It is about 

 three hundred and three feet high, a good monument 



