Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/129

TRISTAM DA CUNHA. gg the sea into huge billows. Heavy rollers also break on the rocky shores even in calm weather. Flora and Fauna. - The large island is encircled by a broad belt of gigantic seaweed [Macroeydis pyrijera), forming a veritable forest of algae over a third of a mile wide, in which plants from 180 to 200 feet long are very common. These fucus, which take root at an average depth of 90 feet, facilitate landing on the island by deadening the fury of the waves. Tristam da Cunha constitutes an independent oceanic group, which probably at no time formed part of the mainland. Hence it possesses a special flora, with forms which are again found in the islets of Saint Paul and Amsterdam in tbe Indian Ocean, nearly 100 degrees of longitude farther east. These curious plants, thus covering such a vast range and developed under the influence of an analogous climate, comprise some heaths and a prickly grass {Sjmrtina arundinacea) growing in large tufts on all the lower slopes, in many places so interlaced as to be quite impenetrable. The only tree in this insular flora is the Phyliba arhorea, which in some places attains a height of 20 feet and upwards, but which usually bonds its distorted stem down to the ground. It forms, with the drift-wood on the east coast, the only available fuel of the inhabitants. The plants of the European and American temperate zones thrive well in the sheltered dells — cabbage, beet- root, turnips, onions, yielding rich crops sufficient for the local wants and for the supply of passing vessels. The pears, peaches, and grapes are also excellent ; but the cultivation of maize and wheat has had to be abandoned owing to the ravages of the mice. No reptiles have been discovered on the islands, nor apparently any insects, the only indigenous animals being mews, penguins, the stormy petrel, albatros, and some other aquatic birds. The pigs now running wild are certainly of European origin, although introduced at an unknown date. The goats, however, which were also at one time numerous, have disappeared for some unexplained reason. The domestic cat has given rise to a wild breed, which at times contends successfully with the dog, and which commits great havoc in the poultry-yard. The chief resources of the people are their cattle, sheep, hogs, rabbits, and game. Some of the cattle are exported to Saint Helena, and some domestic animals let loose in Inaccessible have also greatly multiplied. Inhabitants. Tristam da Cunha has been inhabited since 1811, when the American sailor Jonathan Lambert settled here with two companions, and began to clear the ground. In 1816, the British Government fearing a secret expedition might here be organised to deliver the prisoner of Saint Helena, placed a small garrison in the island. In 1821 the men, being no longer needed, were withdrawn ; but a few