THE PHANEROGAMS OF THE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS 213 



Ckenopodium ncsodendron, Robinsonia Masafnerae and Dendroseris regia are 

 very scarce, and their recovery is checked by the too numerous wild goats. 

 Many of the non-endemic species are also rare. Since this island was abandoned 

 by the penal settlement in 1914, it has remained uninhabited. Fortunately 

 enough, the landing difficulties are very great. 



The preservation of the original nature in these islands is a question of 

 general importance to the scientific world and ought to be a .matter of honour 

 with the Chilean nation. However, many Chileans, in spite of their ardent 

 love for their country, do not understand the necessity of the modern nature- 

 protecting movement. In the case of Juan Fernandez, the matter, often so 

 complicated, is much simplified, for no conflict is likely to arise between the 

 »unpractical idealists* and the men of industry and business. It will be 

 generally admitted that little or nothing is gained by destroying the primeval 

 vegetation in these islands. The source of income is not agriculture but 

 fishing, and the fishing colony will thrive even if the terrestrial fauna and flora 

 are protected. It is true that the presence of human dwellings is undesirable, 

 but as it is now, colonisation is limited to one valley and cannot be expected 

 to extend much more. Certainly we cannot very well propose to remove the 

 inhabitants. 



Regarding the present international relations and other unfavorable cir- 

 cumstances it is probably hopeless to ask the leading scientific circles of the 

 world to join in an action for the protection of Juan Fernandez. This is very 

 unfortunate, for I hardly think the Chilean Government would meet an applica- 

 tion from such institutions with complete refusal. 1 



My program is summarized as follows. 



Protection of animal and plant life; licence to collect scientific specimens 

 may be obtained from the Chilean Government on the recommendation of 

 Museo Nacional in Santiago. — The rights of the colonists should be regulated 

 and the regulations enforced. — All arrangements likely to direct a tourist 

 traffic to the islands should be prohibited. — A Government representative with 

 sufficient scientific training should be appointed as supervisor and provided 

 with suitable means to fight the maqui and other noxious weeds. — The 

 actual prohibition to kill the wild goats should be rescinded (or suspended 

 for some years only, if it be found desirable to preserve a small stock of 

 these animals, introduced several centuries ago and offering some historic 

 interest). Further, the following additional measures should be taken regarding 

 Masafuera : 



Prohibition to erect permanent settlements. — The stock of goats should 

 be cut down and not allowed to increase again, or destroyed altogether (in order 

 to supply fresh meat in case of emergency, some other less harmful animal 

 might be introduced). 



1 Since this was written I have read in a German newspaper that the Chilean Government 

 proposes to convert the islands into a »national park». Let us hope that the newspaper in 

 question speaks true! 



