348 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1924 



back by way of Bella Vista to Pongo. I was impressed with the 

 endurance of the mules, which had nothing but the usual supply 

 of green fodder yet showed no signs of exhaustion though traveling 

 every day and put to severe tests in the constant ascents and descents 

 of thousands of feet. Meantime I was collecting grasses as we trav- 

 eled, this requiring dismounting many times a day as specimens 

 were observed by the wayside. 



The Yungas is a great center for the cultivation of the coca shrub, 

 from the leaves of which the drug cocaine is obtained. The leaves 

 are used almost universally by the Indians of the Sierra. The dried 

 leaves are rolled up wnth a pellet of paste made from ashes and 

 chewed to get the stimulating effect of the alkaloid released by the 

 alkali of the ashes. 



The third trip, to Cochabamba, was easily made by rail. I was 

 greatly aided here through the cooperation of Mr. J. E. Washburn, 

 who has charge of the American Institute, an educational institu- 

 tion. Cochabamba, at an altitude of 8,500 feet has a very salubrious 

 climate and is a delightful place to live. It is the center of an 

 important agricultural district. 



The last Bolivian trip which was to the southern boundary, was 

 made possible through the kindness of Mr. G. G. Trueheart, assistant 

 general manager of the Ulen Contracting Corporation at La Paz. 

 By rail I went to Atocha, the present terminus of the railroad 

 under construction from Uyuni to La Quiaca in Argentina. The 

 Ulen company furnished transportation from Atocha to Villazon 

 and return, including construction trains for a short distance at each 

 end and mules and driver for the hiatus between. This trip took 

 about 10 days. Ultimately this road will be the main line from 

 Buenos Aires to La Paz. La Quiaca, in Argentina, opposite Villa- 

 zon in Bolivia, was visited to utilize the better hotel facilities. The 

 whole of southern Bolivia is a desert, with many species of cactuses 

 and other xerophilous vegetation. The agriculture is confined to the 

 irrigated valleys. 



After returning to Uyuni, the departure from Bolivia was made 

 by way of Antofagasta, Chile, where I took a Grace Line steamer for 

 Panama and a Panama Railroad steamer for New York. 



The southwestern part of Bolivia becomes increasingly arid and 

 there are large areas of alkali soil devoid of vegetation. In this 

 region there is much borax taken out. 



My work in Bolivia was greatly facilitated by Mr. Joseph Flack, 

 secretary of our legation at La Paz, who, in the absence of the 

 minister, put me in touch with officials and others who were very 

 helpful in forwarding my work. Before leaving La Paz I had the 

 pleasure of meeting our genial minister to Bolivia, Hon. Jesse S. 

 Cottrell. 



