I. Notes on a visit to Easter Island. 



 



■■. ' By 

 CARL SKOTTSBERG. 



With 14 plates, i map, and 3 text figures. 



While working on the Juan Fernandez Islands, our party obtained per- 

 mission to accompany the Chilean corvette » General Baquedano» on her cruise 

 to Easter Island, in 191 7. A short and very popular account of our visit 

 appears in my book »Till Robinson-on och varldens ande» (1918). Although 

 the purpose of our survey was purely biological, no scientist visiting the famous 

 island can help taking a vivid interest in the archaeological remains, and we 

 occasionally made a (ew observations. However, I have refrained from writing 

 anything on the subject, as I had to wait for the publication of the results 

 obtained by Mr. and Mrs. SCORESBY RouTLEDGE of the British »Mana» Ex- 

 pedition. Last year Mrs. RoUTLEDGE published a most interesting account of 

 their work on the island (The Mystery of Easter Island), where the ancient 

 monuments of all kinds are amply described and illustrated. A second volume 

 will follow, containing the detailed descriptions of the prehistoric remains. 



I willingly admit that this little paper will appear rather unnecessary 

 since the British Expedition has explored the place with such a wonderful 

 accuracy. But it is Mrs. RoUTLEDGE's excellent narrative which has induced 

 me to collect a few notes and to use them as a basis for a discussion of some 

 interesting points. I have also found it worth while to add a number of my 

 photographs, which may be of some value. 



The »General Baquedano» sailed from Iquique on May 27th, 1917. She 

 carried a Government commission presided over by Bishop Rafael Edwards, 

 a prominent Chilean ecclesiastic, who went to continue his studies on native 

 conditions and to distribute a large amount of materials, clothing etc. among 

 the members of the little island colony. Capitan de fragata J. T. Merino was 

 in command of the vessel, and he as well as the bishop and the officers of the 

 ship did all in their power to assist us in our undertaking. 



After a rather uneventful cruise our vessel anchored in La Perouse Bay 

 on June 15th, and the same day we made our first excursion along the north 

 coast. We were bound for Hanga Roa (Cook's Bay) but were detained in La 

 Perouse on account of adverse winds; finally we resolved to cross the island 



