6 CARL SKOTTSBERG 



health. The slope of Katiki (another name not found on Mrs. Routledge's 

 map, but frequently used) is comparatively gentle. The top was found to be 

 412 m. high (300 m. on the Chilean map must be wrong); it presents a rather 

 striking appearance, forming a shallow circular basin, perfectly dry and with 

 a fiat bottom 5 — 6 m. below the rim, which is 75 — 80 m. across. On the north 

 slope is a succession of three cones, of which the northernmost is gradually 

 eaten away through the action of the sea. The one nearest Katiki, Vaintu 

 Rova, is of a light yellowish colour; the hight is 310 m. On the south slope 

 we came across a deep fissure, containing rain water and surrounded by a fine 

 growth of ferns. The natives, of course, all know this rare watering-place, and 

 I guess this is the well spoken of by Captain CoOK in his second voyage: 

 »Towards the eastern end of the island they met with a well whose water was 

 perfectly fresh, being considerably above the level of the sea; but it was dirty, 

 owing to the filthiness or cleanliness (call it what you will) of the natives, who 

 never go to drink without washing themselves all over as soon as they have 

 done ...» (the edition in Everyman's Library, p. 163). North of Vaintu Rova 

 stands the somewhat lower Tea-tea, the » white mountain*. 



SW of Katiki the famous image mountain, Rano Raraku, is situated, so 

 ably described and illustrated by Mrs. ROUTLEDGE, who gained an intimate 

 knowledge of this unique place. It is shown on Plate 5. Between this rano 

 and the hills east of Hanga Roa there is an extensive plain, only broken by 

 a few higher eminences. 



The visitor, even if he be not a geographer, cannot fail to notice the 

 absence of every trace of valley or ravine caused by the action of running 

 water. It is almost with surprise that one learns the figure for rainfall, i 218 

 mm., the average of 8 years' observations. This is, indeed, no small amount, 

 surpassing that of Juan Fernandez, where erosion has modelled the entire island 

 into a system of deep valleys and sharp ridges. But in Easter Island there is 

 no stream, no brook; only in the crater lakes water is always found. The 

 great scarcity of water makes the high development of the ancient culture 

 quite astonishing. The climate is warmer in Easter Island than in Juan Fer- 

 nandez, the evaporation undoubtedly much greater, the winds at least equally 

 frequent. Anybody will note the rapid disappearance of the water; after a 

 heavy rain, the ground may become soaking wet; nevertheless, some hours 

 later, it is perfectly dry, the result of the combined forces of the burning sun, 

 the strong winds, and the extreme porosity of the soil. Occasionally, water is 

 encountered by digging deep holes; but to dig through the hard rocks must 

 have been too difficult a matter for the natives. Subterraneous streams are 

 reported, and are, of course, to be expected; and running water has played an 

 important part in the formation of the numerous caves round the coast. 



The vegetation is extremely poor; if one comes from Juan Fernandez, 

 the contrast is very striking. The island is destitute not only of wood, but of 

 trees, except for a few specimens in the crater of Rano Kao, where the last 

 stunted dwarfs of the famous toromiro (SopJwra toroiniro) still linger, in com- 

 pany with mahute (Brotissonctia papy rife raj, hau-hau (or jau-jau, spani.sh j), 

 called Triuiiifctta? by FuENTE.S [I believe that it is T. scinitriloba] and ti [Cor- 



