66 Natlrai. History Bulletin. 



occupy any otherwise vacant chair, and to change vour seat 

 as often as you may desire during the evening. 



Here we had a chance to see the better classes of Ha^'ana. 

 and found them very much like other ladies and gentlemen 

 the world over. Many of the men and some of the women 

 were strikingly handsome, and seemed to abandon themselves 

 entirely to the enjovment of the hour. 



The handsomest dri\e in Havana is along the •• Prado." or 

 '• Paseo Isabel." which is probably one of the most pretentious 

 boulevards in Cuba, having a long line of park-like strips in 

 the centre and well paved carriage-wavs on either side. Cabs 

 there are eveiywhere. victorias and "volantes"' being always 

 within call. The latter accommodate two or three persons each, 

 and will take two. and perhaps three, passengers anyw'here 

 within the citv limits for twentv cents. Besides these, there 

 are street-cars and numerous omnibuses which run toward the 

 suburbs. The drivers seem utterlv reckless as thev dash 

 along the narrow streets and whirl around the corners. The 

 citizens must be educated to keep out of the way of these 

 vehicles, as they are evidently expected to look out for them- 

 selves, the cabmen being apparentlv indifferent as to whether 

 people are run over or not. 



Out west of the citv are the Botanical Gardens, the most 

 beautiful grounds near Havana. Here tropical vegetation 

 may be seen in its luxuriance, and the trees, especially the 

 date-palms, are well kept and induced to attain their complete 

 development. A small stream and miniature lake, bordered 

 by a profusion of aquatic plants, suggested to the biological 

 mind that here was an excellent place for a well equipped 

 biological laboratory in which splendid work could be done^ 

 with both salt and fresh water within easy reach. We found 

 little evidence, however, that modern biology occupied any 

 considerable share of the attention of the Cuban authorities. 

 The Gardens, being beautiful, will always receive the sup- 

 port of this beauty -loving people; but pure science has not as 

 yet obtruded itself upon the official mind. 



Mr. AVickham visited the museum in the •• Iglesias de 



