JOHNSTON: FLORA OF I\L\RGARITA ISLAND. 173 



According to encyclopedias, the mountain peak of this end is 60 

 meters higher than that of the eastern end. Though in the distance 

 that looks very probable, it makes little difference in the character 

 of the vegetation. Little of the mountain range anpvhere approaches 

 the height of the peak. jNIost of the ridges are very steep and ap- 

 parently have no forest growth, whatever. Cliffs are exposed in 

 numberless places. Under such conditions, although the peaks are 

 often hidden in the clouds there can be little moisture retained and 

 consequently no springs nor rivers, a condition which agrees with the 

 reports of the natives. The single town of Macanao on the west 

 coast is supplied with "posa" water (rainwater and seepage collected 

 in clay pits) and with imported water. One large ridge with short 

 spurs runs east and west along the south shore, and to the northeast 

 is a series of high hills. The only plain is on the northwest side. 

 The character of the western end as a whole then is similar to that 

 of the hills and plains of the eastern end. 



The above paragraphs give some idea of the topography of Mar- 

 garita. It seems advisable also to discuss so far as possible the tem- 

 perature and moisture as they affect the conditions of vegetation. 



The above description distinctly suggests that Margarita is a very 

 dry island. During the time from July 3 to August 22, in 1901, 

 there were only two heavy rains in El Valle each lasting much less 

 than an hour, and I did not observe any light showers. This it must 

 be remembered was during the rainy season on the mainland only 

 twenty-seven kilometers distant. At this time conditions seemed to 

 be quite normal. Orange trees and the coconut palms were bearing 

 fairly well, and the valley bottoms were filled with thriving weeds. 



Observations made from Jmie 29 to September 4, in 1903, were 

 very different. At this time the coconut trees were dying, the oranges 

 had turned color on the tree when less than half grown, and scarcely 

 a weed could be found. The island and especially El Valle was in 

 a bad drought. According to the natives there had been no rain for 

 two or three and some said even five years. This latter time is shown 

 to be incorrect by my own observations in 1901, but at any rate it 

 is suggestive of very little rain for several years past. Records for 

 1903 are as follows: — 



July 14. Heavy rain in Porlamar; very light at El Valle. 



July 17. Light showers at El Valle. 



August 14. Very heavy rains on the mountain and do-wii through 



