northwest end of the atoll, were reduced to mere sand dunes, no Other visible damages or profound mutations to the flora and fauna are evident. : Sea life in the lagoon is plentiful and shows no sign of adverse effects from the nuclear detonations in the atoll. The absence of man for almost two decades has forced the increase of reef fish in the lagoon in substantial numbers. of reef fish, turtles, Many schools shell fish, and pelagic fish are commonly seen in the lagoon and along the shore lines. Bikini Island Bikini Island, the major population center, is the largest among the 36 islands making up the atoll and is situated on the northeast corner of the atoll. Most of the island is now covered with thick stands of wild vegetation that cause some aifficulty to traverse the interior. The strand vegetation con- ‘sists of Scaevola, Messerschmidia, and some Guettarda, with Pluchea, Dodonea, Leucaena, Cordia, Pisonia, Morinda, and Hernandia making up the interior vegetation. Thick growth of Clerodendrum are found in the southern portion of the island. Ground cover consists principally of Fimbristylis, Lepturus, yenartnent Energy Triumfetta, Ipomoa, Boerhaavia, and Portuluca. Historian’s Office ARCHIVES ” The nuclear blasts have destroyed the former coconut groves and only a few subsistence crops, mainly pandarus and few arrowroot, Tacca leontopetaloides, are found growing among the wild vegetation. The few coconuts found in the interior ef the island.