# The Mysterious Island ## Metadata * Author: [Jules Verne](https://www.amazon.comundefined) * ASIN: B01FE4FMTU * Reference: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FE4FMTU * [Kindle link](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B01FE4FMTU) ## Highlights On the upper plateau of the coast not a tree appeared. It was a flat tableland like that above Cape Town at the Cape of Good Hope, but of reduced proportions; at least so it appeared seen from the islet. — location: [459](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B01FE4FMTU&location=459) ^ref-24292 --- The engineer was to them a microcosm, a compound of every science, a possessor of all human knowledge. — location: [1253](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B01FE4FMTU&location=1253) ^ref-17211 --- Their return was marked by a fortunate incident; the engineer discovered a substance which replaced tinder. It is known that a spongy, velvety flesh is procured from a certain mushroom of the genus polyporous. Properly prepared, it is extremely inflammable, especially when it has been previously saturated with gunpowder, or boiled in a solution of nitrate or chlorate of potash. But, till then, they had not found any of these polypores or even any of the morels which could replace them. On this day, the engineer, seeing a plant belonging to the wormwood genus, the principal species of which are absinthe, balm-mint, tarragon, etc., gathered several tufts, and, presenting them to the sailor, said,—      "Here, Pencroft, this will please you." — location: [2068](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B01FE4FMTU&location=2068) ^ref-19326 ---