Considering the small size of the islands, we feel the more astonished at the number of their aboriginal beings, and at their confined range. Seeing every height crowned with its crater, and the boundaries of most of the lava- streams still distinct, we are led to believe that within a period geologically recent the unbroken ocean was here spread out. The Voyage of the Beagle Charles Darwin For more information on the Galapagos land biology, refer to gallandbio.html For more information on the Galapagos marine biology, refer to Leahgala.html Each island forms a unique ecosystem, a series of specialized relationships amongst beings that have adapted with difficulty to the volcanic and isolated nature of the islands, and the very dry conditions of most of them. These precarious relationships have been suddenly violently altered on many occasions by the presence of human beings and their introduced animals, insects and plants that resulted in the extinction of some species and endangerment to many others. It heightens, and partly satisfies, one's eagerness to know what captures all men.
Travel teaches patience and erases all traces of selfishness.
Travel also teaches one a bit about suspicion, but one discovers at the same time that there are many men with an excellent heart, always ready to help, although one has never seen them before nor will one ever see them again.