A Botanical Expedition to Nicaragua. 375 



fevers, and for diseases which are likely to attack the weakest 

 point in the constitution of the would-be traveller. 



Supplies. 



Clothing, mosquito-bars (so essential in this region), um- 

 brellas, blankets, oil-cloth, lanterns, paper, twine, small tools, 

 such as saws, hatchets, files, etc., can be purchased at reason- 

 able prices at Greytown, Bluefields, or Boca del Rama. 

 Large packing-boxes, oil, and minor supplies can be obtained 

 in almost every village. Alcohol can be purchased at Grey- 

 town and Bluefields for about 55 or 60 cents, gold, per gallon, 

 but it cannot be taken into the interior of Nicaragua without 

 a special permit from the government, which is also required 

 if the traveller desires to carry a rifle or other arms of precis- 

 ion. Side arms are admitted without hindrance. 



It is safest for the collector to carry small paste-board box- 

 es, vials, and other small receptacles for specimens, as these 

 are not easily obtained. Naphthaline, which is almost indis- 

 pensable, and various reagents used in microscopic and other 

 work should also be brought from home, nor should the col- 

 lector forget the small articles necessary for the repairing of 

 clothing, shoes, etc., as it is often impossible to get these when 

 most needed. Metallic boxes, or other receptacles which per- 

 mit absolutely no circulation of air, should not be used as the 

 moisture condenses in these and often ruins the specimens. 

 Paper is the best packing material, and if the larger packing 

 boxes are lined with oil-cloth, and the specimens are put in 

 when dry and the boxes are at once closed, the m^aterial may 

 be transported with safety. 



Bluefields River. 



The party left Greytown April 3rd for Bluefields, where a 

 fruit steamer was to be taken for New Orleans, but upon 

 arrival at Bluefields it was found that the steamer Gussie was 

 to make a trip up the Bluefields River before leaving for 

 New Orleans. Rather than wait at Bluefields, the party took 



