112 AMERICAN FERN JOURNAL 
the sea, to its comparatively low elevation, the character 
of the soil, and excessive moisture. The place is famous 
in song and story as the point of departure of the Spanish 
treasure ships carrying the gold, silver, and precious 
stones of Peru to Spain, also as the scene of the desperate 
raids of the buccaneers, particularly of Morgan and 
rake. Ruins of the old Spanish buildings and fortifi- 
cations are still standing, and show a wonderful state of 
preservation. considering the severe climatic conditions 
and the abuse and neglect to which they have been sub- 
jec : 
The region that has come under my observation com- 
_ prises a hilly country on both sides of a long and narrow 
bay and low swampy lands at the head of this bay. : 
The country is covered with virgin forest which forms 
an almost impenetrable jungle, and this, added to the _ 
precipitous nature of the hills and the treacherous char- _ 
acter of the swamps, makes extensive collection or spa : 
vation very difficult. we 
Geo conditions: Geologically, this region Be 
prinaitive in the t 2, bei mainly of irregu- 
we stom scattered ‘thins of ragged, precipitous hills, — 
hrown together and jumbled into a tangle which follows _ 
ants scheme nor direction, and is composed exclusively _ 
of basalt. They appear to have been thrown up by — : 
terrific voleanie disturbance, and boiled and seethed, the 
oe short line in many places showing folds and bubblelike 
a peace resembling nothing in the world so much as 
| sugar poured on ice. This rock formation is of 2 — 
iartz and feldspar occasionally occur. : 
ld be expected, in a locality with an excessive 
€ surface has” been modified by erosion and 
t to: all de 
