NO. 17 SMITIISONIAX KXPLORATIONS, I916 "/ 2> 



cream-colored flowers as much as T^Vi inches long", peculiar violets, 

 and a sundew (Droscra 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 EXPLOR.\TIONS 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 cajiital 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 w-as 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 ]\Iayan 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 caj^ital 

 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 



