THE VEGETATION OF THE Jt'AN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 



89 r 



Fig. 34. El Rabanal, Masatierra, looking^ South. Macal in the gullies, higher up luma forest. 

 Valley flat covered with weeds, Silybum marianiini (dead) abundant. — Photo 53 191 7. 



forested with large Boehmcriae on the stream banks (St. 2). At 250 m is a small 

 waterfall. In order to gain a higher altitude it is necessary to follow the ridge 

 which abuts on the Damajuana dome. The maqui disappears at about 300 — 350 m, 

 the slopes bear dense and dark luma forest, toward 500 m Dicksonia becomes 

 frequent, and the crest of the ridge is covered with mountain scrub with tall 

 Ugni Selkirkii and a fine representation of the Robinso7tia flora (St. 24). 



Through a wide macal a trail leads into the Anson valley to an old clearing 

 about 250 m above sea-level, called Plazoleta (Plazuela, "small square") del Yunque; 

 to the west, nearby, towers Pico Central (PI. 89: 2). Well watered and surrounded 

 by tall forest with planted Eucalypts at the edge, this sheltered spot guards 

 memories from bygone times of warfare; Anson had his camp and garden here, 

 and before him, Selkirk is supposed to have built his cottage in this hidden corner. 

 The trail crosses the valley floor and soon ascends the slope of El Yunque. Dick- 

 sonia and tall-stemmed Blechnutn cycadifolium appear and increase toward 400 m, 

 the scandent Blechnum Schottii \s abundant, and at about 475 m the forest assumes 

 the character of the upper montane type, with Thyrsopteris, giant Hymenophylluni 

 fuciforme and plentiful Weyjuouthia. As we approach the precipice of the main 

 ridge, leading to the summit of El Yunque, some rosette-trees appear, including 

 one of the rarest species (St. 16). The cliff wall, down which the water rushes 

 after a rain, is covered with Gunnera peltala and luxuriant Cladium scirpoideutn. 



