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and this time of the year were under water. The higher thicket- 
covered region was under cultivation before the ‘‘ten-years’ war,”’ 
and this probably accounts for the almost entire absence of large 
trees, the soil being as a rule rich and deep. 
To summarize the results of this work it may be briefly stated 
that the larger number of these islands are made up of a conglom- 
eration of small areas of land, mangrove swamps and shallow 
lagoons. The proportion of high land is very small and occurs 
mostly in ridges running in a northerly and southerly direction, 
and although there are a few fertile spots it is as a whole very 
poor andbarren. The insect pests, of several varieties, are particu- 
larly abundant and exceedingly active. At the present time 
there are very few inhabitants. On the Sabinal, the keepers of 
Maternillos Light are supposed to be the only residents. Cayo 
Guajaba has no permanent inhabitants, but a number of Nuevitas 
fishermen have shacks on its seaward coast and remain there 
during the turtle fishing season. On Cayo Romano, aside from 
the people connected with the henequen plantation, but two 
fishermen and their families live. Cayo Cocos is said to be unfit 
for human habitation. Cayo Paredon Grande has the lighthouse 
keepers and their families as its only citizens. Cayo Cruze is 
supposed to have but one sponge fisherman's home occupied. 
One or two families may reside on some of the small rocky cays, as 
Palomo for instance. In former times, however, there were a good 
many more. The flora of these islands is as a whole quite different 
from that of the Cuban mainland and I believe a study of the 
material collected will prove it to be largely Bahamian. 
In concluding this narrative of this part of my winter’s work 
in Cuba I may say that in spite of the many discomforts and some 
hardships experienced, my interest in the work is such that I 
would be pleased to continue it westward, completing Cayo Cocos 
and touching some of the many smaller islands of the chain 
stretching on to Cardenas, some of which are situated fully one 
degree north of those already visited. 
Respectfully submitted, 
J. A. SHAFER. 
