66 
of the Cienega and the greater part of the projecting peninsula 
d through 
e nearly level slightly elevated plains, compose out, 
apparently, except w rok yy lagoons, of aeolian and coral 
limes and covered by a dense and luxuriant forest of hard- 
dd trees and shrubs of species; some of these trees 
attain large size, up to at least 80 feet in height and 7 feet in 
dia: his forest is rooted almost directly upon the rock 
and in rocky crevices, the soil being meager over large areas but 
very rich h ssible, timber has been taken from this 
forest, but much of it remains virgin. The southern coast is 
ri 
limestone areas of recent geological origin in other parts o 
the West Indies. 
We found the same limestone to underlie parts of the coastal 
orts a simil. 
orchids, bromeliads, and ferns of several species; this San Juan 
eC 
0% 
trails, and is at present being Hen ae a as ailroas ties 
and for charcoal burning; I interesting 
days under the guidance of members of the large Garcia family, 
who own this region. We are under special obligations to Don 
tion; the forest is of maximum luxuriance where the limestone 
passes under the borders of the Cienega. 
At San Juan, a series of limestone hills, ‘Cerro de San Juan,” 
west; the limeston quite different from that of the plains, 
evidently cecal tee and there are areas of arable land 
on the lower slopes 
