Torreya Volume 15 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ...rocks of remarkably uniform size, all probably deposited there during some eruption of the volcano. Most of them are heavy black lava, some with a mixture of a red iron compound, but there are some of pumice as well. Thickets of Acacia Farnesiana were coming up freely over these meadows. Along the paths and at the base of the low hills were mixed thickets of numerous species. A small stream which entered the lake here is bordered by. numerous plants of a tall aroid, apparently an Alocasia. Its broad triangular leaves are a yard long, and clustered at the summit of an erect caudex three or four feet high and ten inches in diameter. The plants nearest the stream were being undermined by the meandering of the current, and plants still alive may occasionally be washed down stream and into Bombon Lake. One such plant was seen on the lake shore, still alive and apparently in good condition, and there is no reason why the species should not sometimes reach the shore of the volcanic island and colonize there. There was considerable delay in arranging for our transportation by water across to the volcano. Part of that may be attributed to the general habit of procrastination of the Filipino, part to the difficulty of making our wants known, and part to superstition. No one would venture on such a trip until after the Americans had started. With us and our cargadores, or carriers, on the way, the students followed very quickly. The native boat, or banca, is a dug-out, with single or double outriggers of bamboo. It is very narrow, not exceeding twenty inches, and of about the same depth. The boatmen use paddles or oars, in the latter case using their toes for an oarlock, or run up a sail when the wind is favorable. They apparently have no knowledge of tacking across o...