SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 



171 



ON THE TRAIL WHERE IT WENT OVER A RECENT FLOW OF LAVA. 



and tender. Several smooth rocks of irregular basin shape, 

 where water collects in rainy weather, indicate by their worn 

 appearance the visits of innumerable tortoises in days gone by. 

 On the small sandstone ridges which terminate at the valley 

 can be seen trails two feet deep, and just the width of a tortoise. 

 It must have required centuries of travel to wear such trails as 

 these. Higher up on the mountain, among the thick trees and 

 bushes, the trails often extended around the mountain side from 

 one basin or grass flat to another ; but here, instead of quenching 

 their thirst at water-holes, as do those on South Albemarle, the 

 tortoises usuallv have to be satisfied with what moisture they 



