Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology 13 



Tafelberg, it is more heavily wooded than are most of the 

 stations near the shore. The adjacent slope of the Tafelberg 

 is not precipitous and probably similar conditions occur for 

 some distance up this side. Near the top, on one of the fossil 

 beach levels, occur the rich phosphate deposits that produce 

 most of the export from Curacao. 



Station C2. Base of escarpments of the Tafelberg of Santa 

 Barbara (2-B; L68° 50.78', 12° 4.31' and 68° 51.07', 12° 4.35' 

 for substations C2a and C2b, respectively). This Tafelberg is 

 the highest hill (193.8 meters) on the southern portion of 

 Curacao, and undoubtedly was a separate island at several 

 of the ancient beach levels. The escarpments of the older 

 limestone, below the summit of its northern and western sides, 

 form almost vertical cliffs which are 200 feet high in places. 

 As erosion appeai-s to take place most rapidly at the uncom- 

 formity over the underlying, older rocks, these cliffs often 

 overhang, and the limestone tends to break off in enormous, 

 angular blocks, which slump down the steep slopes below the 

 escarpments (compare fig. iv-8). Most of the shells occur in 

 the talus from these cliffs; the Tudorae do not extend any 

 great distance down the slopes, which are covered with a thin 

 soil from the older rocks, but Cerion occurs to the base and 

 some distance beyond. These slopes are held by thickets of 

 brush, but the larger trees are usually near the base of the 

 cliff's. Two localities were collected: the central portion of 

 the northern side (C2a) and the base of the western escarp- 

 ment (C2b). 



Staiio)i Cb2. Manzatienja Rooi, Campo Santa Barbara (2-C ; 

 L68° 50.63', 12° 4.94'). A few shells were collected near one 

 of the dry water-courses (roois) of the diabasic central region. 

 These are commonly bordered by luxuriant groves of large 

 trees {Hippomane mancineUa), but are usually devoid of 

 molluscan life. 



Station C3. Hill north of Fort Beekenberg (3-F; L68° 

 52.54', 12° 4.55')." This rather barren block of limestone 



15 For vegetation of nearby crest, see Boldingh, p. 155, "Kabrieten- 

 berg near Beekenberg. ' ' 



