SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 66 
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Institution of Washington. Both on his way to and from Venezuela 
stops were made at Curacao, where opportunity was given to study 
the very interesting Cactus flora of this Island. The people of 
Curacao make very substantial baskets out of the mangrove, which 
is so common in all tropical coastal thickets. It is rather surprising 
that this plant is not more extensively used for this purpose in other 
countries. 
In Venezuela Doctor Rose made extensive collections, especially 
Fic. 53.—Market scene at Caracas, Venezuela. 
Photograph by Mrs. J. N. Rose. 
in the mountains about Caracas and Puerto Cabello. While the 
purpose of his visit to Venezuela was to study the Cactus flora, he 
obtained also plants in many other groups, especially the Orchids. 
Through the cooperation of Mr. Homer Brett he secured for the 
Museum specimens of “ Sabadilla.’” Very much has been written 
and said about this plant during the past two years, as it is a source 
of one of the asphyxiating gases which has been used in the European 
war. At the present time it is listed as a contraband of war by the 
3ritish Government. 
