CLIMATE, FLOEA, AND FAUNA 53 



be greatly allayed almost abated if public hygiene re- 

 ceived proper official consideration. 



The surface of the island is clad in a voluptuous floral 

 mantle, which, from its abundance and beauty, first caused 

 Cuba to be designated the Pearl of the Antilles. In addi- 

 tion to those introduced from abroad, over 3350 native 

 plants have been catalogued. Humboldt said : " We might 

 believe the entire island was originally a forest of palms, 

 wild limes, and orange-trees." The flora includes nearly 

 all the characteristic forms of the other West Indies, the 

 southern part of Florida, and the Central American sea- 

 board. Nearly all the large trees of the Mexican Tierra 

 Caliente, so remarkable for their size, foliage, and.fragrance, 

 reappear in western Cuba. Numerous species of palm, 

 including the famous royal palm (Oreodoxa regia), occur, 

 while the pine-tree, elsewhere characteristic of the tem- 

 perate zone and the high altitudes of the tropics, is found 

 associated with palms and mahoganies in the province of 

 Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Pines, both of which take their 

 names from this tree. Among other woods are the lignum- 

 vitse, granadilla, the coco-wood, out of which reed-instru- 

 ments are made, mahogany, and Cedrela odor at a, which is 

 used for cigar-boxes and linings of cabinet work. Fustic, 

 logwood, and many species of mahogany abound. 



Although three hundred years of cultivation have ex- 

 terminated the forests from the sugar-lands of the center 

 and west, it is estimated that in the hills of those districts 

 and the mountains of the east nearly thirteen million acres 

 of uncleared forest remain. 



Rich and nutritious grasses are found throughout the 

 island, affording excellent forage for stock. The pineapple, 

 manioc, sweet potato, and Indian corn are indigenous. 

 When the flora of Cuba is studied geographically, it will 

 doubtless be grouped under several subdivisions. 



First among the beautiful trees of Cuba are the palms, 

 some twenty-six varieties of which give shade, food, and 

 life. At the head of these stands the royal palm, a tree 



