103 
several rare trees. In order to cover as much territory as possible 
during our limited time, the party divided, some ae: the 
higher crests, including the summit of “El Duque,” said to be 
about 3,700 feet, although our aneroid indicated ee while 
others explored the ravines and ridges from the camp level up 
to 2,900 feet; at the higher elevations we were within the southern 
limits of the National Forest Reservation. Tree-ferns commence 
at about 1,200 feet, and form beautiful masses of foliage on slopes 
and in ravines; the mountain forest is dense and luxuriant; at 
the summit the vegetation is a very compact growth of a few 
kinds of shrubs and small trees, almost firm enough to walk 
upon, and very difficult to penetrate. Orchids, except a few 
terrestrial species, are rare on the southern slopes. Mosses and 
hepatics were very abundant, densely covering trees and rocks, 
and several kinds of delicate filmy-ferns abound. 
e broke camp on the afternoon of March 9, reached San 
Juan the seetees afternoon, and sailed for New York at 5 
P.M. on rch 11, reaching the Garden on March 16. The 
large collection made in the mountains took up much of our time 
on the voyage for its preservation, but everything collected was 
made safe, and we were fortunate in reaching New York on a 
arm day, the living plants being taken from the dock to the 
Garden without injury from cold. All together, the Porto Rico 
expedition of this winter brought home over 1,600 field numbers 
plants, including some 6,000 specimens; these collections 
materially improve our representation of the West Indian flora, 
and the duplicates will be valuable for exchanges with other 
institutions. Respectfully submitted, 
N. L. Britton, 
Direcior-in-Chief. 
BOTANICAL EXPLORATION ON THE ISLAND OF 
VIEQUES, PORTO RICO 
Dr. N. L. Britton, Drrecror-!N-CHIEF, 
Sir: Pursuant to a commission as collector for the New York 
Botanical Garden for a period of two months, I sailed from New 
York on the S. S. “ Brazos,’”’ January 17, and arrived at San Juan, 
