Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/75

JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO N. W. AMERICA. 69 The articulata are much more numerous than the ver- tebrata on Juan Fernandez. Although we saw but five insects I have every reason to suppose that at a more ad- vanced period of the year they are very plentifull, for almost every bush has its peculiar caterpillars on it. The rocks & stones abounded in crabs & the deap water afforded a sp. of Astaeus. After some labour I succeeded in obtain- ing a specimen, & as far as I can judge it appears to be a new sp. The antennae of this lobster are as long as its body, which is covered with spines & is of a red colour. Radiated animals are by no means uncommon, a sp. of Asterias is very common furnished with from 25 to 38 rays. Actinise, are very beautifull & abundant. We also found Spongias, Sertularia & Corallinise. Concerning the geological structure of Juan Fernandez I obtained very little information. The island consists of deep vallies, bounded by elevated hills which terminate in the rocky mountains of the islands. The rocks which I had an opportunity of seeing were basaltic, of a dark bluish colour & contained crystals of olivine. In some situations these rocks were in a state of rapid deca} The whole appearance of the island bears a close resemblance to that of Madeira. 19th. Today we left Juan Fernandez & directed our course to the N. W. This island for beauty of & richness of verdure exceeds any place we have yet visited, & is well entitled to the encomiums bestowed on it by navigators. Independent of its natural scenery the deserted houses & ruined gardens give variety to the appearance of the place, &give it an air of stillness & solitude that the unsettled desert never possesses. January 7th. This evening for the first time during our voyage the Sterna Stolida alighted on our vessel. It seams to be entirely confined to the tropics, & is remark- able for the stupidity with which it allows itself to be taken.