240 : The Philippine Journal of Science 1922 
northern and eastern coasts * where the winds are strong. The 
northwest corner is perhaps the most heavily forested area. 
There are found the large toog, mayapis, lauan, apitong, and 
other species, although the shale hills also support some of 
these large trees. As in other islands, the limestone districts 
are heavily forested. Merrill* reports various plants from 
Catubig River; but, although some of the plants come from as 
far inland as the towns of Tagabiran and Las Navas, none of 
the specimens occur at elevations of more than 300 meters. Nipa 
and mangrove swamps are abundant, the largest being at the 
mouth of Gandara River. Vegetation is luxuriant on Samar 
and has effectively concealed much of the geology of the island. 
PHYSIOGRAPHIC INFLUENCES 
It has been said often that Samar is one of the most undesir- 
able islands in the Archipelago, as regards its inhabitants and 
the character of the country. Of interest and value, therefore, 
might be a brief account of how topography has actually affected 
the development of the people. The principal effects, I believe, 
have been upon land communications, transportation by water, 
agriculture, and the temperament of the people. 
First——The population centers chiefly along the coasts where 
communication is easier, although even this is not too simple, 
since there are many rivers to cross. In the interior of the island 
there are few trails, few large rich valleys, no rich upland pla- 
teaus, and consequently few towns, except along the rivers. In 
the limestone areas, conditions exist similar to those in the cove 
districts of eastern Tennessee, United States; the country is 
rugged, sinks are numerous, trails are almost entirely lacking, 
and the people are little inclined to travel. Indeed, of the whole 
island one might say that the trails are chiefly the meandering — 
creeks with a cut-off now and then over a ridge, and that the 
people who do travel from the interior or cross the island do 
so only because of dire necessity, for the maturity of the to- 
pography makes land communication a difficult matter. 
Second.—None of the rivers of Samar are navigable except 
for shallow-draught boats. Launches drawing little water can 
go up some of the larger rivers, but the entry into the streams 
is always hindered by the ever-present bars at their mouths. 
®° Forest reconnaissance of Samar, Annual Rep. P. I. Bur. Forestry, 4PP- 
A (1916) 59-70. 
° Merrill, Elmer D., New plants from Samar, Philip, Journ. Sci. gc 11 
(1916) 175-206. 
