NO. lO SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I923 47 



southern coast of Samana Wny in the eastern part of the Repubhc. 

 Field-work was carried on in the vicinity of jovero, IJali, and Las 

 Caiiitas, all located in this region. 



Jovero is a small town 21 miles southeast of Samana. near the river 

 Lajiagua and on the road running south to Seybo. Supplies are 

 obtainable in small quantities from the several shops which the town 

 affords and good water is obtained from the river, a factor of con- 

 siderable importance in some of the coastal regions of flispaniola. 

 The principal product of this district is cacao. 



Six miles south of Jovero is a small clearing with three houses, 

 called Liali. From this point as headquarters Doctor Abbott was able 

 to reach the summit of the Cordillera Central in this vicinity at an 

 altitude of about 490 meters. He found the slopes very steep and for 

 the most part covered by virgin forests. ]\Iuch of the forest of the 

 upper slopes is composed of a low tree called " maho " and scattered 

 royal palms. It may be interesting to note that this locality was the 

 last stronghold of the patriots, held in defense against the American 

 Occupation for five years. This situation had hitherto prevented 

 Doctor Abbott's plan of exploration locally. Peace was, however, 

 made in June, 1922, ^nd the chiefs were given positions in the 

 Dominican Government ; consequently the region was quite safe 

 during his present visit. 



Las Caiiitas is a small village farther west on the south shore of 

 Samana Bay near the mouth of the Rio Catalina and about 12 miles 

 distant from Samana. Supplies are scarce here and mosquitoes plenti- 

 ful, especially in the lowlands. 



The collections made consist of over 500 plants, a large percentage 

 of which are ferns. The flowering plants prove to be of great interest, 

 and many of them if not new are at least not represented in the 

 United States National Herbarium. 



Doctor Abbott returned to the Dominican Re]niljlic in November, 

 and at the ])resent time is ex])loring in the eastern ])eninsula of the 

 Republic. 



BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN PANA^IA AND 

 CENTRAL A^IERICA 



In May. 1923, Dr. William R. Alaxon, associate curator of plants in 

 the United States National Museum, was detailed to accompany a 

 party from the Department of Agriculture, engaged under the direc- 

 tion of Dr. O. F. Cook in investigating rul)ber resources in l^anama 



