Porto Rico 41 
tropical fruits of all kinds grow luxuriantly. This pla 
is the home of Dr. Augustin Stahl, the eminent botanist 
and archeologist of the island, and his accomplished 
daughter. For some distance to the westward the rich 
soil continues, offering an inviting field for American 
enterprise, especially for the cultivation of citrus fruits. 
On proceeding along the north coast toward Arecibo, 
palms of several species are encountered. Near the shore, 
there are stretches of sand and occasional saline ponds 
surrounded by desertlike vegetation. Farther inland a 
series of domelike hills can be seen, which at one time ore 
were probably coral islands. These are covered with 
forest trees, and above the general level a vegetation ’ the - 
-erests of palms (Aeria attenuata Cook), which from a a 
_ distance appear to be floating in the air; for their t trunk 
are so slender as to be invisible. This part of the coast 
recalls the eastern extremity of the island of of Cuba, where 
_ similar palms can be seen from the Cm 
At Arecibo occurs another palm (Thrincon 
with a remarkably tall and slender 
- mediate vicinity extensive fields of su 
seen. From Arecibo a road leads soutl 
_ offering a succession of magnificent view 
winding valley of the Rio Grande.* 
= region is encountered and the road passes beneath 
_ cliffs crowned with endemic fan mong 
morphic region, where the character of 
: hsena al sade then ee: Z anti 
