Stewart-Botanical Conditions fin the Galapagos Islands. 335 
This island shows more evidence of recent volcanic activity 
than any other island in the group. The sides are covered in 
most places with deposits of basaltic lava and volcanic cinder 
which are practically bare of vegetation in most places. There 
are, however, occasional islands of older lava, which were not 
covered by the more recent flows, on which there is a consider¬ 
able amount of vegetation. Some of these islands are quite 
large. One was visited on the north side, and was found to ex¬ 
tend from the base of the crater to the shore, while on the east 
and west sides of it there were extensive beds of volcanic cinder 
of more recent origin. The older lava was deeply stained 
through weathering. There were occasional lava tunnels in the 
older lava, the tops of which had fallen in in places leaving 
openings into long narrow caverns high enough in places for one 
to walk through them in comfort. There was but little soil on 
this part of the island in consequence of which the vegetation 
was very scanty. 
The island was visited for botanical purposes on the north, 
and northeast sides. The shores are bordered by low cliffs, 
along the north side, which are almost perpendicular in most 
places. On this account landing is difficult and even dangerous 
except in calm weather. As there is no suitable anchorage on 
this side, we visited it in boats, and it was necessary for one 
member of the party to remain in the boat and keep it off shore, 
while the remainder of the party did their collecting. On this 
account our stay here was more limited than it would have other¬ 
wise been. 
Botanical conditions were very discouraging. There are no 
trees of any kind on this part unless the few small Burseras 
which occur here, could be designated as such. Neither Cereus 
or Opuntia is to be found although they both occur on the south 
side of the island. There is a scattered growth of bushes con¬ 
sisting of: Castela galapageia, Cordia Hookeriana, Euphorbia 
diffusa, Lippia rosmarinifolia, Scalesia narbonensis, and Wal- 
theria reticulata forma intermedia. Vines of Asclepias angus- 
tissima, and Cissampelos Pareira were found to be growing on 
the bushes in places. Several species of grasses grow from the 
lava crevices among which are, Bouteloua pilosa, Cenchrus gran- 
ularis, Eragrostis ciliaris, and Paspalum canescens. A single 
fern, Notholaena sulphurea, was found at an elevation of about 
500 ft. 
