202 MEimiLL. 



genera of lowland ])lants. siu-li as Aiiiiiirls, Chri/suiilii/Huin . Oclitlio- 

 charis, etc., eliaraeteristic of the Malayan ix'gion in the west and south, are 

 known in tlie Philippines only from ]\fin(loro, while the plants from the 

 higher altitudes on Haleon show reniarkal)le aflinities with those known 

 from Mount Kinahalu, North Borneo, in many cases they are of specific 

 identity and encountered only in the two localities. At the same time 

 there is a remarkahle numher of Australian types present in the Haleon 

 flora. From the geological, hotanical and zoological evidence at hand, 

 indications are found which would seem to point to an early land connec- 

 tion ])etween Mindoro and some great mass to the west and south, hut at 

 tlie same time there is shown a ])rolonged separation and apparently a 

 greater age than has heen discovered in any other part of the Philippines 

 proper. It is ])rohable that IVIindoro, in the various disturbances which 

 have from tinu' to time suhmei'ged portions of the Archipelago, has 

 constantly renuiined above the sea. 



Extensive collections of natural history sjx'cimens were niadt' on the 

 trip. l)ut most of the material was collected and pi'cparcd uiidei' the most 

 adverse conditions. A series of pa])ers leased on this nuitter, which will 

 add much to our knowledge of the fauna and flora of the Philippines is 

 planned. 



A feasible route to the mountain was discovered and mapped, and it 

 was ])roved that Haleon could be ascended even at the most unfavorable 

 season of the year. The course of the Alag Piver was in ])art determined 

 and charted, this large stream not lieing shown at all on many nuips of the 

 lMiilip})ines. Several of its tributaries were located and named. 



'i'o anyone contem])lating a like trip on Ilalcon the following recom- 

 mendations will prove to be of some value, and will apply as well to many 

 other mountains in the Philij)pines. Brown soap slionid be issued reg- 

 ularly to the native carriers to l)e used as a leech repellent. This is 

 smcai'cd on tbi' bai'e legs once oi' sevei'al times a day if necessary, I'oi' the 

 loss of Mood fi'om the attacks of leeches is always (■(jiisiderable, and 

 serious complications wliicli niigbt cripple a party in rcgai'd to transpoi'ta- 

 tioii might ai'ise I'l-om a I'csnlting infet'tion, tor on Ilalcon the only 

 feasible metbod of t ranspoiiat ion is by cari'iers. All mendters of the 

 ])artv wearing shoes slionid be (Mpiipped witb woolen pullces instead of 

 lealbcr or canvas baggings, as ilic formci' arc pi'odf againsl the atlat'ks of 

 Icccbcs, wliilc tbe two laltci' gi\c no protection \vbate\ ci'. l"',ycbolcs on 

 shoes should be smeared witb soap eacb day. (^)uinine sbould be issueil 

 I'cgularlv to tbe membei's of llie pai'lv to guard against outbi'eaks of 

 malaria. All supplie.- neeiled on tbe eiilii-e ti'ip sbould lie can'icd. as no 

 food can be secnre(l in tbe interior n\ Mindoi'o. at least on the noi'tli of 

 tbe Ilalcon li'ange. except a few MTV poor riiiini/cs. and some >mall game 

 sucli as bird.-. rat> and nioidse\s. tbe latter two generally not being coii- 

 sidereil acceptable food. If one is not limile(| as to time, doubtless tbe 



