140 
The valley of Rio Cayaguateje at Guane which is broad and 
fertile is given over to cultivation and pasture, except where 
occupied by shallow lagoons, the principal feature of which is an 
abundance of yellow water lilies, lesser quantities of a white one 
and a profusion of the water hyacinth (Piaropus azurea). They 
are often densely bordered with a very tall Cyperus and a tall 
thick-stemmed Eleocharis, the dried stalks of which under the 
name of “junca” are largely used in the manufacture of pack- 
saddles. . 
The fresh-water lake region lying south of Mendoza (Paso 
Real on old maps), from which it is separated by a flat ridge of 
palm- and pine-barrens, extends practically from Cortes Bay on 
the east to Guadiana Bay on the west. It is a very flat region, 
mostly white sand without any rocks, except a few small lime- 
stones near the shore of Laguna Los Indios. It supports a thin 
growth of a two-leaved species of pine, with several species of 
palms “cana blanca,” ‘‘cana prieta,’ and a silvery leaved 
Coccothrinax intermingled. The royal palm is very rare, being 
known only near the margin of Laguna Jovero and the barrigona 
palm occurs sparingly eastward of Laguna Herradura. The 
larger pine trees have been cut and sawed into lumber by portable 
sawmills, one of which was in operation near Laguna Herradura 
at this time. In the sands beneath these arborescent species and 
often in the bare spots in full sunshine, many varieties of small 
plants both herbaceous and woody occur. 
The lakes, of which there are quite a number, vary greatly in 
size, shape and depth and are grossly misrepresented on the old 
provincial map either as to size, outline, or location. They are 
beautiful bodies of sparkling, fresh, very pure water, as there are 
no streams in thisarea. The rainfall is filtered through the sand 
into these depressions. Their borders vary, some have a deposit 
of humus and black soil on the shore usually occupied by thickets 
of “cana prieta’’ Paurotis sp., extending to the water’s edge and 
large much contorted trees of a black-fruited “icaco” (Chryso- 
balanus sp.) which forms mangrove-like borders at various points, 
especially on Laguna Jovero. Others are bordered with shores 
of pure white sand and some have sandy thickets about them, 
