510 DR. A. Gti'NTHER ON A ZOOLOGICAL [Juiie 23, 



Landing was also effected at another small beach in the northern 

 bight near the north-west point ; the general features were the same, 

 but there was no anchorage at half a cable from the shore. A few 

 cocks and hens were landed here, but as the crabs immediately began 

 to chase them, I doubt if they will survive and produce. 



No large animals were seen nor marks of any. An iguana, said 

 to be four feet in length, was seen in a tree high up, but was not 

 captured. Rat-holes were numerous and one rat was secured, also 

 a large bat; several insects — spiders, flies, beetles and butterflies — were 

 collected ; there were sand-flies but no mosquitos. Large crabs 

 were very plentiful, and appeared equally at home running over the 

 sea-cliffs and climbing up the trees ; they were very ravenous, 

 pouncing quickly on a deadganuet and devouring other injured crabs, 

 and they must be terrible enemies to the birds generally. 



Gannet and Frigate-birds frequent the island, and evidently breed 

 there ; but it was not the breeding-season, and very few eggs were 

 found ; the young birds were nearly grown. Besides the sea-birds, 

 there was the large green Torres-Strait Pigeon ; one was shot with 

 three large red berries in its crop ; these pigeons seemed to frequent 

 the higher trees well up the hill ; also a Ground-thrush of a sooty- 

 brown colour, just the colour of the fallen leaves, among which it ran 

 nimbly, apparently looking for insects ; and a little Flycatcher of the 

 same sombre colour. As evening advanced, a small Swift appeared, 

 which flew about the jungle on the margin of the beach, fly-catching. 

 None of these three last were secured ^. No bones were found on the 

 beach nor remnants of any animal, not even turtle-remains. 



The flora appeared to be the same as that of the neighbouring 

 islands, the Moluccas. As before stated, the island is densely wooded, 

 and many of the trees attain great size. Chief amongst them I 

 recognized two iron-wood trees, one with straight stem and round 

 trunk, and the other with strong buttresses from the roots ; both 

 are natives of Celebes. Creepers were as thick as in the Moluccas 

 and covered the top branches of the trees. 



Two palms (one I take to be the sago-palm, growing to a great 

 height) and the pandanus were abundant ; cocoanut-trees were not 

 seen, though husks were found on the beach apparently washed up 

 from elsewhere. At a small beach on the eastern side there appeared 

 to be banana-trees, but they looked withered and there were no 

 signs of fruit. 



No mangroves were seen. The flora of the coast was generally 

 such as is found on all tropical islands. 



I regret to say that nearly all the botanical specimens that were 

 collected were destroyed by insufficient drying in the exceedingly 

 damp weather we experienced. (Signed) J. P. Maclear, 



Captain. 



P.S. — Since writing the above I have learnt that Captain Grenfell, 

 in the 'Amethyst,' in 1857 visited the island, and tried to cut a 

 way to the summit. 



' A specimen of the Thrush (see p. 515) was fortunately intlie collection. — A. G. 



