[85] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 87 



first time. The red roofs of the town, as it exteuded up the side of the 

 hill, where deep gullies divide its upper edge into three sections, make 

 a fine contrast with the water on the one side, and the green shrubs, 

 which densely cover the hill rising high above it, on the other. 



St. Thomas lies nearly east and west, and is about 12 miles in length 

 by from 2 to 3 in width. A range of steep hills extends its entire 

 length. The proportion of anything like level ground is inconsiderable. 

 In many places the shore is bold and jagged ; in others it slopes down 

 gently to the water's edge. Here and there au indentation in the shore- 

 line affords protection to animal life from the forceof the waves. Towards 

 the eastern end of the island is a large lagoon, with shores and islands 

 lined with mangrove trees. The roots and stolons of these trees are 

 covered with sponges, ascidians, oysters, and aquatic plants. These in 

 turn afford a hidingplace for worms, crabs, and many other free swim- 

 ming animals. The hills are covered with small trees and shrubs, often 

 interspersed with large cactus plants, of several species, making the 

 thicket difficult to penetrate in some localities. 



In the afternoon of the first day we began to collect, and continued 

 this every day until the ship sailed. We found no mammals, and were 

 informed that with the exception of a small rodent no mammals were 

 indigenous to the island. I take it for granted, however, that exception 

 should also be made to one or more species of bats, though we did not 

 see any. 



Birds were not numerous, only thirty-five specimens being taken dur- 

 ing our stay, representing ten species, identified by Mr. Eidgway as fol- 

 lows: 



Mimns gilvus, Vieill. Tyrannus dominicensis (Gm.). 



Dendroica petechia (Linn.). Cro'ophaga ani, Linn. 



GertMoIa portoricensis, Bryant. Goccyzus minor (Gmel.). 



Phonipara zena (Linn.). Tinnmiculus caribcearum (Gm.). 



Icterus vulgaris, Daud. Chamcepeiia passerina (Linn.). 



Twenty- five skins were made, the remainder being preserved in alco- 

 hol. 



The only snake obtained was brought on board alive by one of the 

 sailors, it being harmless, as all of the reptiles on the island are said to be. 



Lizards were very plentiful, and several species were taken. One 

 species of rather small size was abundant on trees and fences, and were 

 easily obtained by the small boys, who sometimes accompanied us a 

 short distance on our excursions, by means of a blade of tough grass, 

 the end of which they skilfully formed into a noose. The lizards watch 

 the slow movements by which this is put over their heads with great 

 curiosity, and only realize what is going on when they dangle in the air 

 or are being i^laced in a jar of alcohol. I found a very small wire much 

 better than a blade of grass for my use. It seemed impossible to cap- 

 ture the much larger ground lizards in this way, as upon seeing any one 



