﻿NO. 5 



SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS. ig22 



73 



at the southern Ijoundary of CV)k)ml)ia into three branches, known as 

 the Western. Central, and Eastern cordilleras. Between the Western 

 and the Central cordilleras lies the valley of the Canca River ; be- 

 tween the Central and the Eastern, the Magdalena River. On the 

 present trip it was possijjle to visit only the Western and Central 

 cordilleras, the Cauca A^alley, the city of Bogota in the Eastern 

 Cordillera, and one or two localities on the Pacific slope. The expedi- 

 tion entered the country at Buenaventura, the principal seaport on 

 the Pacific, and at once established headquarters at the village of 

 La Cumbre, in the Western Cordillera, for the purpose of studying 

 the vegetation of the central part of this range. Descending to the 



Fig. 7S- — View from the summit of the Western Cordillera toward the 

 Pacific slope, Colombia. The peaks are more angular than noted in other 

 regions. 



city of Cali the party proceeded up the Cauca Valley to Popayan, the 

 southern portions of both the Central and the W^estern cordilleras 

 being explored from this point. Subsequently trips were made to 

 Salento, in the northern part of the Central range, and to Ibague and 

 Bogota, material being collected at historic localities along the Quindiu 

 Trail. Dr. Pennell sailed from the north coast, after exploring the 

 northern portion of the Western Cordillera. Dr. Hazen and Mr. 

 Killip returning by wa}' of Buenaventura and the Panama Canal. 

 Approximately 7,200 numbers were collected, sufficient material being 

 secured to make nearly equal sets for each of the institutions associated 

 in the expedition. Particular attention was paid to orchids, a group 

 in which ^Ir. Ames is especially interested. To dry these specimens 



