A Botanical Expedition to Nicaragua. 369 



to New Orleans. A few Fungi, seeds and fruits of Phanero- 

 gamia, and alcoholic specimens of various plant-tissues w^ere 

 collected. A number of Orthoptera, Beetles, Reptiles, Batra- 

 chians, etc., were added to the zoological collection. 



The region between Greytown and the Divide would, if 

 proper!}^ explored, yield an abundance of valuable material. 

 Man}' species which are not found on the upper San Juan 

 appear here in abundance. The variety of Palms and Ferns 

 is much greater, and man}'- other forms, not seen in the inte- 

 rior, occur. The superficial observations made in the vicinity 

 of Greytown showed 45 Phanerogams and 12 Ferns identical 

 with species which were found at Castillo. The great hu- 

 midity of the atmosphere, coupled with the fact that there is 

 no very well defined dry season, is productive of greater luxu- 

 riance in vegetation, but it also interferes seriously with the 

 preparation of material. This difficulty, however, could no 

 doubt be largely obviated, here as well as in the interior, by 

 using a portable oil-stove with a sheet-iron oven. As kero- 

 sene-oil is generally used, and can be obtained almost any- 

 where in the country, this would be practicable, particularly as 

 the oven could also be made with handles and of such shape, 

 size and strength as to be serviceable as a trunk or packing- 

 box. 



The return to Greytown from Camp Menocal was made on 

 the 29th of March, and the remaining days, until the 3rd of 

 April, were given to the care of material already collected, to 

 local study, sight-seeing, packing, etc. 



On this as well as on the two former visits to Greytown, 

 the members of the party received much important informa- 

 tion and many valuable suggestions and other aid from the 

 following gentlemen: Chief Engineer Frank P. Davis, Mr. 

 E. U. Hunt, Mr. Crowninshield, Mr. H.V. Mielly, Dr. De Soto, 

 Mr. Ehle, — all officers of the Canal Construction Company; 

 the American Consul at Greytown, Mr. Braida, and the Vice- 

 Consul, Mr. Von Phul; Mr. Walter Ingalls and others. 



