Vol. II, Pt. I] VAN DENBURGH— GALAPAGOS TORTOISES 34^ 



figured in any way. This fruit is shaped like an apple, and 

 about an inch in diameter. 



April 25-27, 1906. — We drifted up the coast toward Vilamil 

 and, in the evening of the 24th anchored off the old Cobos 

 settlement which we call Bull Beef Anchorage. Beck says we 

 put in just to get some beef to salt. As King and I were the 

 only ones working on tortoises here, we could not get more 

 than one a day. We found them common near the coast, in 

 mudholes under the shade of trees. The ones we found were 

 buried in the soft black mud, with just their heads and the 

 tops of their carapaces exposed. It would seem that the natives 

 have killed off all the females, as we find only males. The two 

 tortoises we took had stomachs nearly empty, and evidently 

 had been in the mud for some time, since no traces could be 

 seen where they went in. There are mudholes and lagoons all 

 along the coast here, and cactus and grass are abundant, so 

 that it is ideal tortoise-country. 



August 16-19, 1906. — Sailed from Duncan, early on the 

 morning of the 16th, for Vilamil, where we arrived on the 

 evening of the 19th, after four days spent in beating against 

 the wind and strong currents. 



August 20, 1906. — Sailed into Turtle Cove, to our anchor- 

 age. We had to anchor outside last night as we arrived about 

 dark, too late to get in. We are making preparations to go up 

 the mountain to skin tortoises. A few tortoises have been 

 brought in by the natives from along the coast toward Cape 

 Rose, but they find it too much of a job to get many, having 

 to cut a trail for each tortoise brought out. We expect to 

 stay here until September 5. I have things ready now to pack 

 away. All the tortoise skins are ready to stow away for the 

 voyage home. 



August 21, 1906. — Everything was ready to go up after the 

 large tortoises on the top of the mountain, but we could not get 

 the mules, so will wait another day. 



August 22 to 30, 1906. — We went up with our outfit to the 

 hacienda to start up the mountain. At this elevation (1300 

 feet) the weather is constantly rainy and foggy, and the pros- 

 pects of camping are not very pleasant. There is nothing 

 visible, in the way of reptiles. The grassy area commences 

 at 1500 feet and extends clear to the rim of the crater, which 

 is at an elevation of 3150 feet. We encountered our first 



