26 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



they rise — alarmed by the boat's whistle — can be compared 

 only to a swarm of bees on a grand scale, at the time of 

 leaving the hive and undecided what direction to take. 

 Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf and East End seem, in places, to 

 be covered with snow, as the sunlight falls upon the white 

 breasts of the murres. 



The South Farallon extends about a mile in length from 

 east to west, and is nearly half as wide as long. It is of 

 granite formation, with a broken ridge extending length- 

 wise and interrupted, in places, by precipitous bluffs and 

 ragged, rocky points. 



At the west end is the highest bluff, Indian Head, one 

 hundred and five feet above the sea-level. From there a 

 fine view can be had of part of Breaker's Bay, and along 

 the whole side of the main island. 



The shore-line is very uneven, long and narrow fissures 

 running in from the sea and often extending under the 

 rocks. One of these under passages has an opening on 

 the island, and is supplied with a fog-horn which is blown 

 by the rush of air driven through by the waves. From the 

 summit of Tower Hill, the most elevated point, 343 

 feet above the sea, the North Farallones, seven miles 

 away, can be plainly seen, with Middle Rocks lying 

 between — a small group, one hundred and sixty-six feet at 

 the greatest height. They are seldom visited, being dan- 

 gerous to land upon. 



No shrubs of any kind grow on the island. The princi- 

 pal vegetation consists of the Farallon weed {Bcei^ia oiiari- 

 tima). This plant, and also aljileria, and the roots of Lep- 

 igonum macrothecum are eaten by the rabbits which inhabit 

 the island. They were introduced from England by a sea 

 captain, who brought over a few as a present to a former light- 

 keeper; and they multiplied until there was not sufficient 

 food to support them, many dying of starvation during a 

 dry season. At times, they furnish the only fresh meat 

 which the light-keepers and their families have during 



