748 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [DeC. , 



much deeper and has been filled since this portion of the island 

 sunk. The same phenomenon is illustrated on the Santa Ynase 

 road north of the town. 



At Dos Bocas a dark -gray rock has been quarried for road 

 metal. It is probably a fine-grained trap. Dip? 30° to S. W. 



The strata exposed in the magnificent gorge of the Rio Guanini- 

 cum near Santa Ana is in some places suitable for building. The 

 new schoolhouse at Santiago and the piers of the Cuba companies 

 railroad bridge are of this stone. Dip 20° S.E. There appears, 

 however, to be a dearth of good building material in this district. 



Some local mining men in Santiago de Cuba, who had visited the 

 summit of the Gran Piedra, 3,700' A.T., suggested that it showed 

 signs of former local glaciers. In company with Captains Erwin 

 and Priest the ascent was made with some hardship, owing to 

 inclement weather. The summit is composed of two huge granite- 

 like masses worn very smooth, suggesting possible ice action, but 

 there were no scratches to be seen or anything to indicate morauic 

 material. The evidence obtained was purely negative, but owing 

 to the incessant rain and rank plant-growth chances for observation 

 were limited. 



An attempt to ascend the Pico Tarqnino failed. A height of 

 5,875 ' A.T. was attained, but owing to the severe meteorological 

 conditions, lack of suitable companions and supplies, at the end of 

 several days it was necessary, on account of the illness of his 

 companions, to abandon collections and return as best they could. 

 The mountain, consisting of three peaks apparently, are heavily 

 wooded. The speaker was only able to observe that tree ferns do 

 not occur below about 1,000' A.T., and that considerably above 

 this altitude two species of snajl, Helkina pulchra and Pleurodonte 

 bayamemis, occur, which are not found at lower levels. 



Mt. Magota, 850' A.T., was also ascended. The start was made 

 from Santa Ana through an interesting primeval forest. The 

 mountain is capped by a limestone mesa about 350' thick. The 

 top is only to be attained by a narrow cleft which would not have 

 been found but for the assistance of the Cuban guide. The lime- 

 stone top has been carved by the elements into holes and pinnacles 

 of exceeding sharpness so as to make passage of its summit danger- 

 ous and difficult. This annoying structure of rock is known as 

 " dent de Perro " (teeth of the dog), and is certainly well named. 



In this rock are caves where General Maceo dwelt under Span- 

 ish regime. Surrounded by sisal and other thorny plants this 

 place must have been impregnable. The caves are now given over 

 to bats and an occasional brigand. Fine examples of Pleuradonte 

 marginella rostrata Pfr. and Zachryda jyroboscidea Pfr. were here 

 obtained, but the mountain is overrun with a species of iguana 

 which feeds on the snails. 



Near Magota mountain is a good indication nf copper which has 



