88 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
were enabled to sight the island of Fernando 
Noronha ; and later in the day came to anchor in 
35 fathoms. The captain landed, and paid his 
respects to the Commandant, explaining the object of 
our visit, asking permission to survey round the 
island, and to explore the interior for botanical and 
zoological specimens. This was readily granted ; 
but on the morrow, just as the various parties had 
started, a message arrived withdrawing the permis- 
sion previously given ; the commandant stating that 
he could not, without the sanction of his government, 
take upon himself the responsibility of allowing any 
investigation, or of collecting a single insect or plant. 
This group consists of two islands and several 
rocks, exposed to the whole swell of the Atlantic, 
and the surf breaks constantly and heavily on its 
shores. The islands are strange specimens of volcanic 
formation, needle-like rocks, sugar-loafed pinnacles, 
and overhanging cliffs. 
The central peak is named the Pyramid, and is 
about 1000 feet above the level of the sea, the 
upper part of which seems to overhang the base. 
The islands appear to be well wooded. Trees 
abound on the higher parts of the land, with 
wondrous creepers clustering among their branches. 
Of fruit, the principal seem to be bananas and 
melons. At the present time it is used as a penal 
settlement by the Brazilian government, giving 
shelter to some 1500 to 2000 prisoners. A fort, 
