, THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 229 



anything seen on any of the other islands. It is a typical scrub; low, rigid 

 and almost impenetrable. The conditions are extremely xerophytic and the 

 growth in consequence is low and depauperate, rarely reaching a height of 

 over 3 feet. There is no appreciable soil, the hard rock ringing like metal 

 under foot. In spite of all discouragements, the covering was dense, forming 

 an almost unbroken surface. It was composed principally of the following 

 plants: Baccharis dioica Vahl. (Broom-bush), Croton eleuterea Sw. (Cas- 

 carilla), Coccolobis laurifolia Jacq. (Pigeon plum), Phyllanthus epiphyllan- 

 thus (L.) (Hardhead), Antliacanthus acicularis Nees., Lantana crocea Jacq., 

 Lantana involucrata L., Acacia choriophylla Benth. (Cinnecord), Bumelia 

 microphylla Griseb. (Ink-berry), and Jacquinia keyensis Mez (Joe-bush). 

 About 300 yards from the sea, where the ground becomes almost level, 

 the growth is somewhat higher, and a few species not occurring on the 

 hillside find a footing. Among them are Erithalis fruticosa L. (Black 

 torch), Coccolobis laurifolia Jacq. (small-leaved Pigeon plum), and Bursera 

 simaruba (L.) Sarg. (Gum-elemi). Here was beautifully shown the effects 

 of wind action on plant growth. The scrub was about 6 feet high, and 

 formed a dense, canopied roof, open beneath. The trunks were naked and 

 gnarled, often prostrate and rooting at intervals. Eising here and there 

 from among the low growth on the hill slope appeared the great flower-shoots 

 of Agave rigida Mill., some reaching a height of 35 feet (Plate XL, Fig. 1). 

 Their appearance only accentuated the barrenness of the scene. 



For a distance of about 50 feet from the sharp edges of the rocky shore, 

 the surface is entirely bare of vegetation; then begins to appear a little 

 Suriana maritima L. and Borrichia glabra Small, which gradually collects 

 itself into a more or less distinct line. Following this is a fringe of Rhaci- 

 callis maritima (Jacq.) Schum., with Sesuvium portula-castrum L. creeping 

 among it. It is peculiar that the Rhacicallis here appears behind and not in 

 front of the Suriana and Borrichia. At one spot near the sea a depression 

 in the rock of about 100 yards in length and GO feet in breadth had become 

 filled in with sand. The covering here formed a sharp contrast to that of the 

 rocks. It consisted of beautiful areas of Uniola paniculata L., broken with 

 dense patches of Hymenocallis arenicola Northrop in full flower, with Euphor- 

 bia buxifolia L. and Ipomcea pes-caprce L. creeping on the outskirts. A fine- 

 growth of large and small Inodes palmetto (Walt.) Cook (Thatch palms) 

 formed a background to the lower growth. 



