Feb. 1830. GEOLOGY—BOTANY. 305 
green-stone, and trap, which appears, at first sight, to be vol- 
canic ; but, on a more particular examination, the lava-like 
appearance of the rock does not seem to arise from an igneous 
origin. 
The green-stone is full of crystals of olivine, which, as they 
decompose, leave hollows, resembling those of scorize. Mr. Cald- 
cleugh communicated an account of the structure to the Geo- 
logical Society.* In Captain Hall’s interesting journal, there 
is a list of Geological and Mineralogical specimens, of which 
one from Mas-a-fuéra} is named ‘ Vesicular Lava.’ May it not 
be this same rock in a decomposed state ? 
The late Signor Bertero, whose botanical collections from 
Chile have enriched many of the principal herbaria in Europe, 
accompanied me to make a collection of the Flora of the 
island; and he considered that the character of the vegetation 
was very little allied to the Chilian, but partook more of that 
of California. The sandal-wood, which has been described as 
indigenous to this island, was not found by us, growing, but 
a large quantity was collected about the hills and vallies, in a 
dry state, and apparently very old. It is of the red kind, and 
still preserves a strong scent. The mayor-domo told me there 
were no sandal-wood trees in the island; but we had reason 
to think his information was incorrect, for one of the inha- 
bitants would have taken us to a place where he said they were 
growing in large quantities, had not our arrangements for sail- 
ing interfered. 
The island produces several kinds of grass; but the most 
abundant herbaceous plant is a species of oat, which grows 
very luxuriantly, and towards the westward covers the ground 
for many miles. The neighbourhood of Cumberland Bay is 
over-run with strawberry plants, wild radishes, mint, and 
balm, besides peach, apple, cherry, and fig trees, which are 
* Phil, Journal, and Annals of Philosophy, for March 1831 (new 
series x.), 220. 
+ Juan Fernandez is called ‘ de Tierra,’ because it is nearer the main- 
land than another adjacent island, which is called ‘ Mas-a-fuéra ’ (farther 
off, or more in the distance). 
VOL. I, x 
