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cultivated, being occupied by many small farmers, but the 
limestone region at the foot of the mountains, in the vicinity of 
Piedra Gorda was studied; also along the railroad as far as Arroyo 
Seboruco to the marble-like cliffs and its caverns. Part of the 
valley was also explored and a trip was made on foot across the 
limestone ridge between this stream and the Mayari at its falls, 
where the rock is serpentine and the flora is of the foothill scrub. 
After some delay and trouble in packing the collections for 
shipment to New York by Munson Line steamer from Antilla, 
and the loss of several days in keeping a lookout for the boat for 
coa, whose sailing time from Nipe Bay was shrouded in 
considerable mystery, we finally got aboard the S.S. Nuevitas on 
the evening of February 11. Next morning found us in the little 
harbor of Sagua, and on the following evening we disembarked 
at Baracoa. 
Baracoa, said to be the most ancient town of Cuba, is pictur- 
esquely situated on asmall, ratheropenbay. Next to the several 
old forts, the most striking object to arrest the attention of the 
newcomer are the dead and dying cocoanut trees. Everywhere 
on the surrounding hills, the crownless trunks, the victims of the 
interested parties. The region has been sorely stricken by the 
almost complete annihilation of this i s most important industry. 
As very few strangers come to Baracoa, there are few hotels. 
Their accommodations are as indifferent as their rates are exces- 
sive, and it was found necessary, in order to secure suitable ac- 
commodations, to rent a vacant house, with a large yard for 
spreading dryers. Cots and a few chairs loaned to us by newly 
made friends, together with our camp-outfit completed the furnish- 
ings. When in town we usually had our meals brought in by 
Dr. Schaefer remained with me for several weeks 
before taking the steamer for Havana. 
The surrounding hills are of limestone, very much eroded, and 
evidences of two ancient sea beaches are plainly visible at ceveral 
places. It is a very rough country, but much of the land, 
is quite fertile, especially in the small valleys. El Yunque 
