EXPLORATION OF PEEL ISLAND 71 



pices again, in the heat of the afternoon, with not a breath of air stirring. The labor was so 

 severe that Mr. Hampton became sick, and two other gentlemen of the party began to show 

 signs of exhaustion. This obliged me to halt frequently, and we did not reach the native huts 

 in the valley until six o'clock in the evening. 



Instead of returning to the watering-place by the route we had come, I employed the 

 "Judge" to conduct me over the hills to the Kanaka settlement, at the southern extremity of 

 Port Lloyd. We were obliged to ascend the intervening ridge at an angle of near fifty degrees. 

 Under the thick clusters of sago-palms was a dense undergrowth of fern, in which we could 

 gain no foothold, and were continually falling flat on our faces. After gaining the summit, we 

 passed over an undulating tract for a mile or more, and came upon the western slope of the 

 island, overlooking Southern Head, and the entrance to Fort Lloyd. I now saw that a deep, 

 picturesque bight made in below the Head, to the mouth of the valley we had left, and that 

 probably the shorter and more usual route of the natives between the two settlements was by 

 water. The sides of the hills we traversed were covered with a deep, coarse grass, waist-high, 

 and so thick that we fairly waded through it. Fortunately for us, there are no snakes on the 

 island. 



It was dark.when we reached the Kanaka huts, but, by climbing a cliff, and firing a few vol- 

 leys, we succeeded in obtaining a boat from the ship. We were delayed a short time, waiting 

 for one of the party who remained behind from exhaustion, and returned on board about 

 10 o'clock. 



Notwithstanding the unsurpassed fertility of the island, the luxuriance of its vegetation, 

 and the existence of a constant supply of the best water, there is very little variety in the 

 animals and insects found upon it. I noticed but three or four species of birds — one of which 

 was a crow; another a wood-bird, of a mottled-brown color, not unlike the robin ; and a third, a 

 dove. Mr. Heine has since shot upon Stapleton Island another variety of the dove, as large as 

 the Chinese pheasant. We observed no quadrupeds except the wild hogs, which are sprung 

 from some animals placed upon the island prior to its settlement. The iguana is said to exist, 

 but we found no traces of it. Snakes and venomous reptiles of all kinds are apparently 

 unknown. The coast, however, abounds with fish, among which are many rare and curious 

 varieties. During the summer the settlers catch a great quantity of turtles, which they salt 

 down for their winter stores. 



According to the account given by the oldest residents, the climate is equable and exceedingly 

 healthy. The Flora of the island struck me as being of more than ordinary interest ; but as 

 the flowering season of many of the plants and trees was just over, we were unable to procure 

 many serviceable specimens. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



BATAKD TAYLOE. 



Commodore M. C. Perry, U. 8. N., 



Commanding U. 8. Naval Forces, East India, China, and Japan seas. 



