6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM [vol.82 



fields, and tracts of forest over a series of ridges whose slopes in places 

 were almost precipitious. Rain fell steadily. Our train of porters 

 gradually separated, because of differences in weight in loads carried 

 and the capabilities of the individual men for this kind of travel. 

 Darkness overtook us on the mountain slope, and we found shelter in 

 a small caye where we spent the night, sitting over a little fire, brewing 

 tea, and sleeping as we could. The following morning, April 13, we 

 reached our objective at the little group of three huts called Caye 

 Godet, the last human habitation on the higher slopes of the Pic de 

 Macaya (pi. 2). At 1,275 meters at the edge of the rain forest we 

 dug out a little level space and pitched our tent. Below us the 

 mountain descended steeply into a deep valley with slopes cultivated 

 in bananas, sweetpotatoes, coffee — grown without shade because of the 

 almost continuously clouded sky— and other crops. Across rose the 

 steep pitches of La Grande Colline, called locally Changelange, and 

 ahead we had a glimpse of the forested slopes of Pic du Formon, the 

 third of the peaks of La Hotte. La Grande Colline had an extensive 

 stand of pine, while rain forest covered Formon. 



Above our camp on Macaya, rain forest extended to 1,800 meters 

 elevation, where it was replaced by a stand of tremendous pines 4 to 

 6 feet in diameter, their lower limbs cloaked in moss and epiphytes, 

 and the ground beneath covered with dense growths of dripping 

 bracken. 



From Caye Godet a trail extended to the lower edge of the forest, 

 and it was practicable to follow the crest of a narrow ridge to the 

 summit of the mountain. The peak extended in a general east and 

 west direction, with a very narrow plateau at the summit. To 

 1,950 meters elevation the ascent was very steep and difficult, but 

 beyond was a more gently sloping shoulder leading to the narrow 

 plateau mentioned at 2,120 meters, rising slightly liigher toward the 

 west. Limestone was exposed at the altitude last named. This 

 upper portion of the trail had been opened by Haitian engineers of the 

 Travaux Publique, but at the time of our visit signs of their passage 

 had been almost obliterated. Since the summit had at some time 

 been swept by fire, in some years there must be a reduction in precipi- 

 tation. We climbed to the summit on April 17, worked halfway 

 along the elevated ridge, and on April 20 ascended again to the 

 eastern end. Because of the dense growth collecting and observation 

 were difficult, and on the whole the mountain was less interesting 

 than the high ridge of La Selle, visited by Wetmore in 1927. 



Rain fell daily, and heavy mists covered the mountain slopes for the 

 greater part of the time. Mr. Parish left for the coast on April 15, 

 accompanied by Dejour, and on April 22, with our observations com- 

 pleted, we broke camp and transported our outfit by porters to La 

 Cour Z'Anglais, where we arrived about noon. We had expected to 



