I ;
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although the kind of yegetation consumed in each case is so
very ditlerent. Mr. Bell has given the O name to the 5g3enus from
the shortness of the snout: indeed, the form of the mouth
may almost be compared to that of the tortoise. One is
tempted to suppose this is an adaptation to their herbivorous
appetites. It is very interesting thus to find a well-characterized
genus, haviug its aquatic and terrestrial species, belonging
to so confined a portion of the world. The former
species is by far the most remarkable, because it is the only
existing Saurian, which can properly be said to be a maritime
animal. I should perhaps have mentioned earlier, that in
the whole archipelago, there is only one rill of fresh water
that reaches the coast; yet these reptiles frequent the sea-
heaches, and no other parts in all the islands. Moreover,
there is no existing lizard, as far as I am aware, excepting
this Amblyrhyncus, that feeds exclusively on aquatic productions.
If, however, we refer to epochs long past, we
shall find such habits common to several gigantic animals of
the Saurian race.
To conclude with the order of reptiles. Of snakes there are
several species, but all harmless. Of toads and frogs there
are none. I was surprised at this, considering how well the
temperate and damp woods in the elevated parts appeared
adapted for their habits. It recalled to my mind the singular
statement made by Bory St. Vincent,* namely, that
none of this family are to be found on the volcanic islands
in the great oceans. There certainly appears to be some
foundation for this observation; which is the more remarkable,
when compared with the case of lizards, which are
generally among the earliest colonists of the smallest islet.
It may be asked, whether this is not owing to the different
facilities of transport through salt-water, of the eggs of the
latter protected by a calcareous coat, and of the slimy spawn
of the former ?
,As I at first observed, these islands are not so remarkable
' Vovage aux r|iialr(- llc3 d ’Afriqup.
for the number of species of reptiles, as for that of individuals
; when we remember the well-beaten paths made by
the many hundred great tortoises—the warrens of the terrestrial
Amblyrhyncus—and the groups of the aquatic species
basking on the coast-rocks—we must admit that there is no
other quarter of the world, where this order replaces the herbivorous
mammalia in so extraordinary a manner. It is
worthy of observation by the geologist (who will probably
refer back in his mind to the secondary periods, when the
Saurians were developed with dimensions, which at the
present day can be compared only to the cetaceous mammalia),
that this archipelago, instead of possessing a humid
climate and rank vegetation, cannot be considered otherwise
than extremely arid, and for an equatorial region, remarkably
temperate.
To finish with the zoology : I took great pains in collecting
the insects, but I was surprised to find, even in the high and
damp region, how exceedingly few they were in number.
The forests of Tierra del Fuego are certainly much more
barren; but with that exception I never collected in so poor
a country. In the lower and sterile land I took seven species
of Heteromera, and a few other insects; but in the fine
thriving woods towards the centre of the islands, although
I perseveringly swept under the bushes during all kinds of
weather, I obtained only a few minute Diptera and Hymenoptera.
Owing to this scarcity of insects, nearly all the
birds live in the lower country; and the part which any one
would have thought much the most favourable for them, is
frequented only by a few of the small tyrant-flycatchers. I
do not believe a single bird, excepting the water-rail, is confined
to the damp region. Mr. Waterhouse informs me that
nearly all the insects belong to European forms, and that
they do not by any means possess an equatorial character.
I did not take a single one of large size, or of bright colours.
This last observation applies equally to the birds and
flowers. It is worthy of remark, that (he only land-bird
with bright colours, is that species of tyrant-tlycatchei’, which
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