54 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 72 



Peak. Over 800 numbers were collected in this region. In prepara- 

 tion for a projected work by Mr. Maxon on the ferns of Jamaica, 

 particular attention was paid to this group, nearly 200 species being 

 here collected. 



Other regions visited include Hollymount, on the upper slopes of 

 Mount Diabolo, in the central part of the island, the coastal territory 

 of Montego Bay, and the southern border of the " Cockpit Country," 

 the last a wild, little inhabited, wooded area of innumerable limestone 

 sinks lying southeast of Montego Bay. Collections at Cook's Bottom. 

 Mulgrove, Mocho, and Ipswich yielded a number of new or otherwise 

 very interesting species. Just before leaving Jamaica Mr. Maxon 

 made a brief visit to Pigeon and Great Goat islands, lying ofif Old 

 Harbour. 



Much of the success of the trip is due to assistance extended freely 

 by officials of the United Fruit Company, acknowledgment of which 

 is gratefully rendered. 



BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN BRITISH GUIANA 



Mr. A. S. Hitchcock, Custodian of Grasses, visited British Guiana, 

 making the trip through the co-operation of the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture, the New York Botanical Garden, and the 

 Gray Herbarium. He left New York, October 4, 1919, and arrived 

 at Georgetown, October 22, stopping on the way at St. Thomas, 

 St. Croix, St. Kitts, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, 

 St. Lucia, and Barbados. He left Georgetown, February 2, 1920, 

 and arrived in New York, February 16, stopping four days in Trini- 

 dad and one day at Grenada. 



Six weeks were spent at Georgetown, and other points along the 

 coast; three weeks at the Penal Settlement on the Mazaruni River, 

 from which were visited Bartica, Kalacoon, and Kartabo ; two weeks 

 on a trip up the Demerara, Essequibo, and Potaro rivers to Wismar, 

 Rockstone, and Tumatumari ; and ten days on a visit to the North- 

 western Distict, including IMorawhanna on the Barima River, Isso- 

 rora, the Rubber Station on the Aruka River, and the Yarikita Police 

 Station on the Venezuelan border. 



Four sets of plants were collected including 1,134 numbers, with 

 extra sets of the grasses. On account of the extremely damp climate 

 it was necessary to use artificial heat in drying the specimens. Two 

 oil stoves were kept burning night and day, the specimens being 

 between corrugated paper. After drying, the plants were sprinkled 

 with naphthalene powder to prevent subsequent molding. 



