/)7.777.s7/ (,77. I.V.I .WD HKA/II. TO MorXT linKMMA -js:) 



l'an;iiii:i, ('cntr;!] Aiiici-ica and Mexico. 'I'lic oilier ceiiter was the liiuli 

 interior region of which Koraiiiia i.s the present t'oeiis, from w hich iriiL;i-at ion 

 was mainly l)y way of the West Indies and I^'loriil i. 



Witli these fnndaineiital facts at liand, tlie I)e|)artinent of [inerteiirate 

 Zoology of the American Mnsium reacheil a point in the de\-elopment of 

 its sciontific work where it seemed desirahle to nndertakc an e\tensi\-e 

 series of e\])lorations in the Antilles and northern Sontli America, in cor- 

 relation with field studies in (•h;;ra.ct(>ristic localities of North America, in 

 order to trace as clearly as j)ossil)le the lines of nn'gration and dist rihiition in 

 past gi-ological times, and to gain fuller knowledge of the cNchitionai-y 

 history of lower organic forms. In piu'snance of these purposes, an attack 

 upon the Koraima center of dispersal was determined upon for an initial 

 survey. 



.\fter a short period of field work in Dominica aiul other islands, Dr. 

 Lutz and I continued c ii to Demerara, and on July first we siglit<'d the low- 

 coast of the continent where the many chimneys from the sugar mills rose like 

 so many lighthouses. With the aid of new-fountl friends in the colony, fiiu' I 

 preparations were hastened for the start into the interior, which was made 

 by steamer up the Demerara River. The scenery along the rixcr prevented 

 the time from passing tediously, soon our e(iuii)ment was transferred to the 

 awaiting train, and we went on to the Essequel)o Rixcr. Owing to the liea\y 

 rains of the preceding weeks this ri\er was well up under the hostelry where 

 we stopped, so that the house servants angled from the \-ery windows with 

 almost ludicrous success. The howling of the moidvcys, new to our ears, 

 roused us early on the following m irning, and for a day we re- 

 mained here, occupying the time profitably in collecting on the sandy 

 lowlands and rises hack from the river, where the drogher ants ply their 

 ceaseless course from the leafy houghs to underground chamhers. On 

 July 10, we proceeded to Tumatumari and here, as well as farther on up 

 the rivers, we found ourselves the first occupants of the rest-houses l)uilt 

 for the use of travelers to Kaieteur. The journey to Potaro Landing, and 

 the walk across country to Kangaruma were accomplished without incident. 

 .\t the latter place, three Patamona Ackawf)i Indians were scciu-ed and, the 

 joiu-ney resumed, we arrived at Tukeit on the e\-ening of .Inly 1.'), one week 

 from Georgetown. It was almost a physical ri-lief to reach the foothills 

 of the higher ground after the continuous lowlands. Douhly enjoyable 

 was the first glimp.se of Kaieteur, which we saw from a point far down the 

 gorge, al)ove waters so still that not only were the mountains reflected in all 

 their beauty of form and color, but e\en Kaietetw itself was mirrored there. 



The next task was to accomplish the transport of om- goods to the 

 Kaieteur Plateau from Tukeit, the head of ri\er na\iga.tion. Two of our 



