August 12 (cont.)
areas of very dense Scaevola and Messerschmidia growth,
there
appear to be good rat habitat and may have dense populations.
Rattus exulans, especially in the latter area, might be present.
Bonham--"Invertebrates collected include 3 Grapsus near
"M" boat landing, 1 22-inch T. gigas and 2 Hippopus from fish
poisoning area,
on N.W. reef, 4 Coenobita,
3 H. atra,
and 3 H.
leuco, from shore N. of there, and 3 coral samples from reef off
N. tip of islet.
The outer reef flat was quite barren except with
100 feet of reef edge where coral growth was good."
‘
Palumbo~-“Vegetation covers the island almost 100%.
Largest
trees are Messerschmidia growing to approximately 18-20 feet.
Scaevola plants, also the largest seen to date, to 15' tall.
Ground cover mostly sedge,
Ipomoea and a composite
fied).
Pluchea, growing to 10 feet along the
Another composite,
old roads.
(to be identi-
The airstrip is completely covered by plants, es-
pecially Ipomoea tuba and I. pescaprae.
Most of the plants looked
in good condition, the usual exception of plants near shore,
crossing the airstrip, and in poorest soils.
Samples of plants collected near soil pit no. 8,
south of the 3 story building.
for Engebi.
200 feet
Saw no sand burrs--this is unusual