76 USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 



ulwaj^s to bo found g-enninatiiig on the stretches of sandy ])each along- 

 the southern portion of the east coast of the island. \\'itli Schiniper 

 as a guide, and the benelit ol" the ex])erinients of (xuppy and of Treul), 

 a student on the island of (Juiiin would find abundance of material 

 and a most favorable opportunity for studying the seeds of the drift 

 in tile places where they have been deposited by the great trans- 

 Pacilic curi'ent, and where they could be o})served in the process of 

 germinating under absolutely natural conditions. 



ANIMALS OF THE ISLAND. 

 MAMMALS. 



Bats. — There are no indigenous quadrupeds in Guam. The onl}^ 

 mammals in prehistoric times were two species of bats, the large fruit- 

 eating J*teropiis keraudreni Q. & G., or "flying fox," called "fanihi" 

 by the natives, and a small insectivorous species, EmlxiUonura semicau- 

 (Jata Peale, called "pa^^es^^es.''' The fanihi flies about in the daytime, 

 flapping its wings slowly like a crow. It has a disagreeable nmsky 

 odor, ))ut this leaves it when the skin is removed, and the natives some- 

 times eat it. The flesh is tough, but not unsavory. The principal 

 fruits eaten by it are guavas, fertile breadfruit, the drupes of the 

 fragrant screw pine, called "kafo," and custard apples {Annona 

 reticulata)^ which it has undoubtedly helped to spread over the island. 

 This species occurs in Fiji, the Friendh^ Islands, New Hebrides, and 

 Pelew Islands. It very closely resembles the flying foxes of Samoa, 

 which the natives of those islands call "pe'a," or "manu-langi" (bird 

 of heaven). Eiiihallonura i^emicaudata^ the insectivorous bat, is noc- 

 turnal in its haljits, and flutters about very much like our own common 

 species. It remains in caves during the day and ventures forth at twi- 

 light. It is very similar to, if not identical with, the "apa'au-vai" of 

 the Samoans, and has been collected in Fiji and the New Hebrides. 



Rats and mice. — The Norway or brown rat {Mus decumanvs Pallas), 

 called "chaka" b}^ the natives, was probably introduced into the island 

 through the agency of ships. It is ver}^ abundant and is a great pest, 

 especially in plantations of maize and cacao. It also destroys young 

 coconuts, ascending the trees and often making its nests there. The 

 common mouse {Mus musculus L.) has also been introduced. It appar- 

 ently causes little harm. 



Deer. — An introduced deer, Cervus mariannvs Desm., overruns the 

 island and causes great damage to maize, young coconut palms, and 

 other crops of the natives. It was brought to the island by Don 

 Mariano Tobias, who was governor of the Mariannes from 1771 to 

 1774. Its flesh has a tine venison flavor, and it is a favorite food staple 

 of the natives, who hunt the animal with dogs and guns, often burning 



