JAN., igi2. MAMMALS, VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA OSGOOD. 37 



done mostly along a wooded quebrada some three miles west of the 

 railroad. This was probably quite dry earlier in the season but recent 

 rains had left pools of water of considerable extent at frequent intervals 

 along its course. The surrounding country consists of low rolling hills 

 a few hundred feet in height and covered with forest of considerable 

 density. The general elevation, however, is not great and the descent 

 is very gradual to the Zulia River and the lowlands, through which it 

 flows to Lake Maracaibo. 



Empalado Savannas, April 6-14. In the vicinity of El Panorama 

 and thence inland, there is practically continuous growth of moderate- 

 sized trees, palms, cacti, and small shrubs, but some thirty miles to 

 the east we suddenly emerge upon grassy openings varying in extent 

 from two or three to several hundred acres. These, the so-called sav- 

 annas of Empalado, are, strictly speaking, neither level nor treeless. 

 Open natural pastures alternate with fairly extensive wooded areas, 

 but narrow leads usually permit passage from one opening to another. 

 The heaviest growth is naturally along the watercourses or quebradas, 

 which are mostly dry during a great part of the year. Near our camp- 

 ing place, which was chosen with regard for them, were several cienegas 

 and permanent pools of water. Abundant rains, however, soon robbed 

 these spots of their distinction, and turbid floods covered the sandy 

 bottoms formerly so conveniently used as highways by man and beast.* 

 Many of the trees are of the same species found in the vicinity of El 

 Panorama. The big feathery-leaved carocaro (Pithecolobium) is the 

 most impressive of those growing near the quebradas, but is rivaled 

 in size by the smooth yellow-barked copaiba which is found more 

 commonly on higher, drier ground. Cacti are less common than at 

 El Panorama but palms are more so. A large heavy bamboo is abun- 

 dant, often covering extensive areas on low ground near the quebradas. 



Passing acknowledgment has been made on other pages for some 

 of the hospitable aid received during our work, but too much can scarce- 

 ly be said. Mr. Ralph J. Totten, then American Consul at Maracaibo, 

 assisted us in many ways, not only officially but also through a lively 

 personal interest in natural history. Through him we met Sr. Don 

 Alberto Tinedo Velasco, in whom we found a genial host at El Pano- 

 rama as well as a hunter and naturalist with a keen interest in, and wide 

 knowledge of, the animals of his country. Later, the trip to Paramo 

 de Tama was made possible by Sr. Don Mario Gonzales of Cucuta, 

 who invited us to his hacienda and even accompanied us on the rather 



* It is perhaps worthy of note that we experienced one severe hailstorm, a phenomenon entirely 

 novel to our native guides, some of whom were over fifty years of age. 



