IN PANAMA 



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tree that I saw, far up in a secluded mountain valley, was not over 

 twenty-two inches in diameter. The natives could always pick those that 

 are the best milkers. As a rule, these trees had a larger leaf area than 

 the others, which accounts, I think, for the extra flow of latex. Those 

 in the dense forest seemed to bear few seeds, while on the edges of the 

 trails or in open places they were abundant seed bearers. There seemed 

 to be no leaf or bark diseases, and even trees that had been mutilated 

 the worst by the rubber gatherers seemed to be sound and healthy. 



INTERIOR OF CAMP RIO NEGRO. 



Exploration was, of course, greatly hindered by the heavy rains 

 that came nearly every afternoon, and sometimes in the morning as 

 well. These swelled the rivers so that fording was difficult, and turned 

 the steeper trails into muddy torrents. The shacks of Indians who 

 were collecting rubber were often visited, and deserted camps always 

 examined. A camp usually consisted of a palm thatched leanto, just 

 big enough for two men to sleep in, on a narrow pole-covered bench. 



