470 JUAN FERNANDEZ. 



the number of pairs of the endemic Humming-Bird existent 

 at a bird for every bush. Two of the species of Land-birds 

 and all the 20 species of Land-shells of the island are 

 endemic. 



The temperature at the Monument at it a.m. was 65° F. 

 A small Bat, possibly disturbed by the sound of the gun, was 

 seen to fly past. The common Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), 

 the ubiquitous weed, has climbed up the pass, and grows by 

 the Monument. The endemic Palm has been almost exter- 

 minated, excepting in nearly inaccessible places, as on a rock 

 above the Monument, where a group of the trees can be seen, 

 but not reached. 



The terminal shoot of the palm, especially when cut just 

 before the tree flowers, is excellent to eat; the developing leaf 

 mass being quite white, and tasting something like a fresh 

 filbert. It seemed to me more delicate than that of the shoot 

 of the Cocoanut. The guide knew where there was a tree 

 remaining in the woods not far above sea-level, and I went 

 with him to it hoping to find it in flower. As it was not, 1 cut 

 it down for eating, for the guide was only waiting to let it 

 develop further before felling it for that purpose himself. A 

 few seedling Palms grew near by. Palms of the same genus 

 occur in the tropical Andes. 



Most remarkable in appearance amongst the Composite 

 endemic trees are the species of the genus Dendroseris, allied 

 to our Chicory. The specimens which I saw in flower were 

 rather large straggling shrubs than trees, but with thick woody 

 stems and branches from 10 to 15 feet in height. The leaves 

 are very like those of a Dandelion in appearance, and the stem, 

 which when split open has a curiously jointed pith, has just 

 the smell of a Dandelion-root, and would, no doubt, yield 

 chicory. It pours out, like the Dandelion and allied plants, 

 a milky juice when cut. 



The flesh of the Wild Goats of the island is most excellent 

 eating, no doubt because of the abundance of the feed. In 

 some parts of the island, especially to the south-west, there are 

 open stretches covered with long grass. Pigeons {Columba 

 iBnas), which are said to have been imported into the island, 

 are common, and feed on the hill-sides in flocks. 



Fish are very abundant, and easily caught, as are also 

 Rock-lobsters {Falinurus frontalis), which are very large, 

 and especially good to eat. More than 60 were caught by 

 means of a baited hoop-net put over the ship's side at the 

 anchorage, and hauled up at short intervals. The meat of 

 the tails of these lobsters is dried at the island for export to 

 Chile. 



