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CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



to live. In order to secure the moisture requisite for germina- 

 tion and the growth of the seedling, it was necessary to plant 

 the nuts in pits dug through loose sand to a depth of about 

 three feet, and then through a crust of solidified coral-sand of 

 one foot thickness. It was below this crust that the eggs were 

 found, showing that probably centuries had elapsed since the 

 eggs were deposited, and indicating at the same time that we 

 shall have to go below the surface, if we want to become 

 acquainted with the extinct autochthont races of these 

 islands. 



"The sad history of the extermination of the Mascarene tor- 

 toises is so well known that I may dispense with a repetition of 

 its details. I will only allude to some facts with which I have 

 become recently acquainted. The tortoises, as you know, have 

 proved excellent and more wholesome food than the turtles. 

 Therefore every passing ship stowed away for her long voyage 

 as many as she could carry. With the increase of the popula- 

 tion of the settlements, augmented by military and naval forces, 

 the indigenous supply was rapidly exhausted ; it was then sup- 

 plemented by importation from other islands; and we can 

 form an idea of the extent to which this inter-insular transport 

 was carried from official reports to the French Indian Company. 

 In 1759 four small vessels were especially appointed for the 

 service of bringing tortoises from Rodriguez to Mauritius ; one 

 vessel carried a cargo of 6000; and altogether more than 

 30,000 were imported into Mauritius within the space of 

 eighteen months. 



"The result of this prodigality was that, at the beginning of 

 our century, the tortoises had been pretty well swept off the 

 whole of the islands in the Indian Ocean, so that at the present 

 time only one spot remains where they have survived in a wild 

 state, viz., the south island of the Aldabran atoll. Although 

 only 18 miles long and about one mile wide, it offers by its 

 rugged, deeply fissured surface, which is overgrown with 

 impenetrable bush, a safe retreat to the small number of the 

 survivors, Aldabra has never been inhabited, and only 

 within recent years a station has been established on it for a 

 few men who are engaged in industrial pursuits for the lessee, 

 who rents the island from the Mauritian Government." 



