7 
To the west of Sanchez there is a large swamp which stretches 
for ten miles along the road to Arenoso. Two days were spent 
in this and many interesting specimens were secured, among them 
a giant Polygonum. The royal palm Oo dense forests in this 
swamp, and in some cases it has almost ive control of large 
areas. Another beautiful plant collected here was a white- 
flowered water-lily that covered many of the small pools. 
One day was spent in an ascent of the Yuna River. The 
strength of the current and our inability to get a power boat pre- 
vented our going up more than a few miles. Many interesting 
trees, some species of sedges, anda number of tall aquatic grasses 
were secured here. One can scarcely imagine the beauty and rich- 
ness of the vegetation that may be seen from a boat while cruising 
on a tropical river. A light draught power boat would open up 
miles of such cruising along the Yuna and its branches. 
The vegetation about Sanchez is rich in moisture-loving plants, 
but xerophytes seem to be wanting, excepting a few orchids and 
bromeliads. No cactuses were seen, and the residents say they 
are unknown inthe region. The only palm seems to be the mag- 
nificent royal palm. 
It had been the original intention to take the train from Sanchez 
up to La Vega, and make collections at that place and in the ad- 
jacent Cibao, but circumstances arose which made it undesirable. 
There is now an all-rail route between Moca and Puerto Plata, 
via Santiago; also trains from Sanchez to La Vega, San Fran- 
cisco de Macoris and Salcedo. A short ride of two hours on 
horseback is all that is lacking of an all-rail route from Sanchez 
to Puerto Plata. 
Owing to the impossibility of working over the Cibao region, 
and to the delay coincident with the uncertainty of the arrival of 
the next steamer, it was determined to go across the island to the 
province of Macoris. At midnight of October 28, a start was made 
from Sanchez in a small sloop. We crossed Samana bay diago- 
nally to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River, leaving most of the 
baggage to be sent round to the south coast when the steamer 
should come. It rained every day during our stay at Sanchez. 
Two days were spent at and near San Lorenzo, which is a 
