ST. JOHN


 The naturalist is normally limited in his temporal survey of
any region to recent or at least historic times. Thus the surveys
that have been made in the areas of marine biology, ornithology,
etc., on the island of St. John and the Virgin Islands are by neces-
sity contemporary. Out of the archaeological survey and test exca-
vations, however, an approach to time depth may be made. From
the inclusions of bone and shell, we may interpret which species
served as food sources or other needs, while the naturalist may
gain checks against the time span of certain species in a given area.
Listings and identification of such materials from St. John will be
found as appendices to this report.
 By the time aboriginal peoples reached the Virgin Islands, they
had attained experience in native seamanship. To reach the islands,
it was necessary that they contend with waves, winds, currents,
swells, reefs, and many varied landfalls. Likewise, they looked
to the sea for much of their sustenance. Therefore, in attempting to
understand the lives of the native populations of St. John and
the other Virgin Islands, I shall broaden our environmental picture
from geology and biology to include general observations con-
cerning oceanography.
 The United States Navy Hydrographic Office has observed and
recorded the region of the Virgin Islands, and its instructions for
navigation, "Sailing Directions for the West Indies" (1950), is a
rich source of information. I have also drawn on statements from
informants while working in the islands for details concerning
tides, wave action, winds, rainfall, etc.
 As stated earlier, the Virgin Bank is covered by no more than
165 feet of water, but it is a flowing water controlled by the north-
ern branch of the North Equatorial Current. According to seasonal
shifts, this current holds to a westward to northwestward flow with
an average velocity of approximately %1/ knot at all seasons of the
year. This velocity stands somewhat in contrast with currents of
1.0 to 2.0 knots in the Windward Islands and the 0.5 knot flow in
the Antilles Current to the north.
 As might be expected, rate of flow of currents is often affected
by tide action, especially in local situations. In the Virgin Islands
there is little rise and fall of tides along the beaches; therefore, most
of the water level changes that affected native man came as a result
of winds and streams. There would have been times, however,