350 Natural History Bulletin. 



favorite habitats of Slime-moulds and Fungi, and the conse- 

 quent comparative scarcity of the forms of life with such hab- 

 its is striking. This can perhaps be partly explained by the 

 fact that Termites are exceedingly abundant and soon destroy 

 all of the fallen softer woods which are most favorable to the 

 growth of these low plant forms. 



Ometepe is more thicklj- settled than any other section in 

 which collections were made. With the exception of a short 

 visit to Granada on the west shore of the lake, which was 

 made by Mr. Smith for the purpose of purchasing needed 

 supplies and hence resulted in but few additions to the collec- 

 tions, no other portion of Nicaragua in which well-travelled 

 roads and numerous cultivated tracts occur was visited by the 

 expedition. Hence the collections from this island show a 

 proportionate!}' larger number of cultivated and introduced 

 plants than those from any other locality. 



Climatic Conditions and their Effect. 



The dr}' season usually begins on Ometepe in the early part 

 of December and continues about six months, only occasional 

 light showers falHng during this period. 



Of the 36 days, from the 5th of January to the loth of Feb- 

 ruary, which were spent on the island 20 are recorded as 

 "clear and w^indy," 6 as "threatening, and cloudy during part 

 of the day," and 10 show some rainfall. Of the latter only 

 four were really rainy days, the remaining six having but light 

 showers after which the day was again "clear and windy." 

 None of the rains were more than ordinary summer showers. 



The wind is almost constantly from the north-east, the 

 North-East Trade often being a gale. 



The temperature ranges from about 70° to 90' Fahr. 



During January the vegetation on tlie island was luxuriant, 

 and showed no effects of the dry season. Most of the Phan- 

 erogams flowered during this month, and were at their best 

 during the first three weeks. 



Toward the close of January and in February the general 



