1899] BRIEFER ARTICLES 125 
to teach the use of fertilizers and soiling crops, etc. But it is govern- 
mental, and when that is said of almost any concern in South America, 
it means that it is subject to rapid political changes. 
The courtesy of Mr. Alamo, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and 
Mr. Romero, secretary of the society, could scarcely have been 
greater. 
To any foreign scientist, Dr. A. Ernst, the professor of botany in 
the University, is an invaluable acquaintance. His long experience 
with Venezuelan conditions and his fund of information on the botan- 
ical resources of the country are the result of a wide acquaintance and 
humerous expeditions into the interior. His advanced years make it 
impossible for him to continue his work as a collector, but his vigor- 
ous mind and excellent memory make his suggestions most valuable 
to a traveling scientist. 
As a young German botanist he came to Venezuela on a collecting 
trip and was invited ‘by the government to remain. Revolution has 
followed revolution, but, through his refusal to meddle in the politics 
. the country in the first place, and his undeniable ability as a scien- 
ust in the second, he has kept the position he now holds as one of the 
— profound scientists and highly esteemed citizens of the republic. 
hae ee in an attempt to educate Venezuelan youth to an 
en ne otany have not, it must be regretted, left him hope- 
a. outcome, and dizal what the writer could learn there is 
key courage foreign scientists to engage In governmental 
enezuela. 
oo? aon from Caracas into the interior, one English, 
erman ; neither, however, takes the traveler anywhere near 
the : A 
oF ay Interesting region of the Sierra Nevada, which lies, by mule 
'n order to explore these interior regions the traveler must 
atrange an fair knowledge of the Spanish language and should 
dimension oo. € in square leather boxes not over two feet 1n largest 
ble wit] be of - Ae donkey or mule transport. The food obtaae: 
€ very poorest quality ; and, as the peomes live In huts 
