26 MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
was shown to be almost precisely of the same nature as the Madeiran 
and Canarian. They exhibited a relationship with America, but a cu- 
riously feeble relationship, considering that both the prevailing winds 
and currents set from the westward, and that seeds of West Indian 
plants were cast up abundantly on the shores of the islands. Of these 
none had established themselves on the islands, though several speci- 
mens of one of them picked up on the Azores had germinated at 
Kew. 
The interesting islet of St. Helena was described at length, and the 
successive steps by which it had been reduced from a densely-wooded 
to an almost utterly barren condition. 
When discovered 360 years ago, it was covered with forests, but 
owing to the introduction of goats in 1513, these forests have been 
almost exterminated. In 1709, the native ebony still existed in such 
abundance that it was used to burn lime with, whereas now it is en- 
tirely extinct; and in 1810 fuel had become so scarce, that coal had 
to be imported at an annual cost of £2729. 7s. M. Shortly after this, 
Major-General Beatson killed the goats, and commenced the introduc- 
tion of trees from Europe, Africa, and Australia, which have spread 
rapidly, and now prevent the indigenous vegetation from resuming its 
sway. The only good collection of its native plants was made previous 
to this by Dr. Burchell, from which it appears that of the indigenous 
species, about forty-five in number, forty are absolutely peculiar to 
the island, and show that the affinity of the flora is chiefly with South 
Africa. 
Kerguelen's Land, or Desolation Island of Captain Cook, was next 
described. Though in the latitude of Cornwall, its climate is most 
inclement, and its vegetation extremely scanty. It is 2170 miles from 
the nearest continent (Africa), and 4130 from South America. It 
contains only eighteen flowering plants, of which two are very peculiar, 
and found nowhere else, almost all the rest being natives of Tierra del 
Fuego. Of the indigenous species, the Kerguelen's Land Cabbage is 
the most interesting, from its remarkable form and habit, and its anti- 
scorbutic properties. 
Dr. Hooker then proceeded to discuss the various theories that had 
been propounded, to explain the presence of the continental plants 
in the oceanic iskte, and to account for the features of the floras. 
Two theories had been proposed, neither of which satisfied all the eon- 
