NO. 17 SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, IQI16 73 
cream-colored flowers as much as 3'% inches long, peculiar violets, 
and a sundew (Drosera longifolia) are found in these bogs. 
The ferns of the Hawaiian Islands are numerous in species and 
individuals. They are the dominant feature of all the wet forests. 
Three species of tree ferns of the genus Cibotium are found and 
in some places form extensive forests. These produce at the base 
of the stipe a great ball of brownish-yellow wool called pulu by the 
natives and used by them for stuffing pillows and mattresses. One 
species (C. menziesii) is shown in figure 75. Contrasted with the 
tree ferns are numerous small epiphytic forms, some species with 
fronds only an inch or two long. The ferns and fern allies number 
about 170 species. 
ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS IN GUATEMALA AND 
HONDURAS 
In February, 1916, W. H. Holmes, head curator of anthropology, 
United States National Museum, had the good fortune to become 
a member of the Carnegie Institution’s archeological expedition to 
Central America under the direction of Sylvanus G. Morley. Among 
the ancient cities visited was Antigua, the ancient capital of the 
Spanish kingdom of Guatemala during the period of its greatest 
prosperity and power. The splendor of its religious establishments 
is amply testified by the ruins of upwards of forty great churches 
now scattered through the modern Indian town which occupies the 
ancient site. The city was visited by a series of earthquakes during 
which the splendid structures were shattered or thrown down and 
it was found impossible to restore them and keep them in repair, 
and in desperation the capital of the kingdom was removed to a 
neighboring valley, to the site of the present Guatemala City. 
The history of the Spanish capital city and its great buildings 
proves most instructive to the student who would discover the causes 
that led to the downfall and destruction of the numerous cities built 
by the Mayan people in prehistoric times, the ruins of which are 
now found scattered over Central America. 
The present Guatemalan capital is built on the site of one of these 
ancient cities represented to-day by numerous pyramids, terraces, and 
quadrangular enclosures as well as by works of sculpture which are 
scattered over a large area just outside of the limits of the capital 
city. 
An extended visit was made to the ruined city of Quirigua in 
eastern Guatemala. This city has been the subject of much scientific 
interest during recent years and its remarkable sculptural and 
