The islands had been little studied or biologically surveyed before the 1883 catastrophe—only two pre-1883 biological collections are known: one of plant specimens and the other part of a shell collection. From descriptions and drawings made by , the flora appears to have been representative of a typical Javan tropical climax forest. The pre-1883 fauna is virtually unknown but was probably typical of the smaller islands in the area.
The islands had been little studied or biologically surveyed befor,e the 1883 catastrophe—only two pre-1883 biological collectio:ns are known: one of plant specimens and the .other part of a shell collection. From descriptions and drawings made by , the fl:ora appears to have been representative of a typical Javan tropical climax forest. The pre-1883 fauna is virtually unknown but was probably typical of the smaller islands in the area.