The country is barren, with here and there a fertile spot.

这个地区土地贫瘠，只是间或有一小块肥沃的地方。

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Was this barren spot the desolate refuge of sea-birds, strewn with stones and destitute of vegetation, attached to a more important archipelago?

这一片海鸟栖身的荒地上，满地都是乱石，一点草木也不生，它是不是还和其他较重要的群岛相连呢？

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