Abstract
Summary The flora, vegetation, and soils of the two smallest Mercury Islands are described. These islands are lacking in land mammals and the vegetation, although not necessarily unaltered by Polynesians, appears to have been little disturbed for a considerable length of time. The very high phosphorus levels found in the soils arc attributed to the large numbers of burrowing petrels present. Stands of milk tree (Paratrophis banksii) on Middle Island appear to be unique and there are several other unusual features of the vegetation and soils that are not understood. The importance of these islands as places to study the dynamics of coastal vegetation in the absence of rats is stressed.
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