Vol. I] STEWART— BOTANY OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 95 



IsL. : James Bay, fringing a crater lake, south of the bay, the 

 water of which is so saturated that a layer of pure white salt 

 has crystallized out on the bottom; also occasional on the 

 mountain side at 900 ft., (no. 1910). 



From the above it is seen that this tree is found under the 

 most varied conditions, from halophytic to mesophytic, without 

 any perceptible change in its general appearance. In many 

 respects it is a very unpleasant tree with which to come in 

 contact. The milky sap has a very strong peppery taste and 

 will blister the parts which it touches, if not soon removed. It 

 is also very unpleasant, and in fact dangerous, to be under these 

 trees during a rain, for if the water from the leaves gets into 

 one's eyes, the sensation is very painful and the pain lasts for a 

 considerable time. The fruit has a very pleasant odor when 

 ripe, and resembles a small yellow apple in size and color, but it 

 is extremely poisonous, according to the inhabitants of the 

 islands. The tortoises around Cape Rose, Albemarle Island, 

 eat the fruit in great quantity ; but we found in cleaning some 

 of these tortoises for specimens, that this diet had weakened 

 the tissues of the alimentary canal greatly. But little vegeta- 

 tion is found under the trees of this species, as a rule, a condi- 

 tion which is probably brought about by the dense shade. 

 Further distr. S. U. S., Mex., W. Ind., N. S. Am. 



Jatropa L. 



J. curcas L. Sp. PI. 1006 (1753). — Charles Isl. : near 

 former habitations and probably introduced (no. 1913). 

 Widely distributed in tropical regions. 



Manihot Adans. 



M. utilissima Pohl. PI. Bras. Ic. I. 32, t. 24 (1827) ; Rob. 

 (1), 169. — Albemarle Isl. : Villamil, in gardens (no. 1911), 

 Charles Isl. : Chierchia. Indefatigable Isl. : northwest 

 side, a few specimens at 750 ft. (no. 1912). No doubt an in- 

 troduced species. Widely distributed in tropical regions. 



Phyllanthus L. 



P. carolinensis Walt. Fl. Car. 228 (1788) ; Rob. (1), 169.— 

 Abingdon Isl. : occurs first at 725 ft., common above 1000 ft., 



