Grayson.] 286 [June 7, 



along the shores and rocks, which I have excluded from this cata- 

 logue as not being strictly inhabitants of these islands, but noted 

 wanderers of the sea." 



"Of mammals, I discovered but two species of any importance ; 

 one a rabbit, apparently a new species and very abundant, and the 

 common raccoon. 



"A small species of bat is found, and I also saw indications of 

 wood mice, and was informed that a small species of opossum inhab- 

 its the woods, being but little larger than a common mouse (perhaps 

 related to Didelphys tristriata), — a species allied to which I found in 

 Tehuantepec." 



"Among reptiles, there are two or three species of tree snakes, and 

 the Mexican anaconda is sometimes met with. Various species of 

 lizards are abundant, among which a very long one, two feet in 

 length, known as the iguana, is very common ; scarcely a hollow 

 tree in the woods but is occupied by some venerable hermit of this 

 species, who may be seen basking in the balmy air just in front of his 

 door, into which he darts when you approach too near. They are 

 all harmless. This species appears to be different from those found 

 upon the main land." 



" Of shells, there is but one variety of land shells, which, however, 

 exists in great abundance. It has six whorls, — increasing regularly, 

 streaked longitudinally and irregularly with white and bluish horn 

 colored stripes, — average length, two inches. I found many of these 

 shells during the dry season, in hollow trees and knot holes ; in this 

 situation I always observed that the shell itself had closed its door 

 with a gummy substance, evidently intended to exclude the dry 

 atmosphere, thus hibernating until the rains awakened them again 

 from their winter sleep." 



" Note. About half past ten o'clock p. M., Jan. 25, 1865, an "unusual large 

 and magnificent meteor passed over the Island, in a northeast direction, explod- 

 ing near the surface of the water, about twenty miles distant. There were two 

 or three very loud reports, not unlike the bursting of bomb shells, accompanied 

 with a rushing sound, caused perhaps by its passage through the air. The 

 Island was brilliantly illuminated for a few seconds during its passage over, the 

 altitude of which did not seem to be very great." 



