The Sierra Maestra. 253 



The rest of 170 trees of commercial size were distributed among 

 28 species with from 8 to 1 specimen each. From what has been 

 said regarding the very uneven distribution of species, it will be un- 

 derstood that, if any other run of the same extent were figured up, 

 a very different distribution might be found, although quantities 

 would probably remain the same. 



As would naturally suggest itself, a classification of topographic 

 types, namely canyons, slopes, and ridges, was possible, which cor- 

 responded to some degree also to forest types, both as to distribu- 

 tion, density and development, the canyons and adjoining slopes be- 

 ing the best timbered, the ridges almost empty, the slope requiring 

 a further subdivision, according to exposure, the southern exposures 

 being dry, and bearing a different flora from the moister north 

 slopes. 



Among the tree species a division into three classes was possible, 

 namely those decidedly xerophil, those decidely mesophil and 

 those apparently indifferent to moisture conditions, occurring ubi- 

 quitously in all situations, some more frequent on moist, others on 

 dry slopes. 



The latter class of ubiquitous trees is by all means the largest, and 

 includes the Cedar and pretty nearly all the more important timber 

 trees. On the dry slopes the Mahogany, Lignumvitae, Majagua de 

 Cuba, Granadillo and several others of the heaviest woods are at 

 home. Only a few, some 10 or 12, were found decidedly mesophil. 

 In addition, there must be recognized those which hug the seashore, 

 the decidedly hydrophil. Mangle, the Mangrove, Rhisophora Man- 

 gle L. forming with some others swamps along the seafront, and 



