354 BOTANICAL FEATURES. [1845. 



and from its architectural features termed " Abbey Peak " 

 formed an exception. From the summit of a steep mount 

 covered with a luxuriant vegetation on the north and south, 

 but abruptly cut off from the vertex on the west, the entire 

 cliff was composed of slender Basaltic columns, and by 

 some freak or convulsion of nature, so displaced as to 

 assume the most fantastic, as well as picturesque forms, 

 occasionally enlivened by what I at first mistook for moss, 

 or ivy, but which upon closer examination, proved to be 

 that most beautiful production, allied to the Lycopodium 

 lepidophyttum, or stone plant, so common in the vicinity 

 of San Bias, on the western coast of Mexico. Nor were 

 flowers wanting to adorn this interesting little spot. The 

 Tiger-lily abounded and bloomed in great perfection, as 

 well as Heath-bells, Orchis, Fox-glove, &c. As nature 

 seemed to offer but very scanty means of subsistence on 

 land, beyond the artificial collections of earth, forming the 

 gardens to their little stone-built cabins, their resources 

 if not obtained from places inland, were from the sea ; 

 but from the specimens of nets and boats which we noticed, 

 they were very far behind other nations in this pursuit. 

 English hooks of various sizes, knives, scissors, and needles, 

 were offered to them, but either from fear of their supe- 

 riors, or ignorance of their true value, they were declined. 

 On one or two occasions they produced their Sake*, in 

 compliment, and I returned it by sweet wine, which they 

 appeared to esteem, but most carefully brought back the 

 bottle, supposing it to be of value. They were surprised to 

 observe it thrown into the sea, and on recovery it was 

 soon conveyed as a treasure to the Chief, or his nearest 

 friend. In all their transactions with us, I noticed an 



* Sometimes spelt 'zakki' by the Dutch. 



