52 



SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS 



\"0L. 66 



Institution of Washington. Both on his way to and from \'enezuela 

 stops were madis at Curacao, where opportunity was given to study 

 the very interesting' Cactus flora of this Island. The people of 

 Curaqao 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 ]:)urpose in other 

 countries. 



In \ enezuela Doctor Rose made extensive collections, especially 



Fig. 53. — Market scene at Caracas, Venezuela. 

 Photograph liy Mrs. J. N. Rose. 



in the mountains about Caracas and Puerto Cabello. \\'hile the 

 purpose of his visit to A'enezuela was to study the Cactus flora, he 

 obtained also ])lants in many other grou])s, es]iecially the ( )rchids. 

 Through the cooperation of l\Ir. Homer Brett he secured for the 

 Museum specimens of " Sabadilla." Very much has been written 

 and said al)out this ]:)lant 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 

 British (lovernment. 



