228 
Pinar del Rio; a study of the flora of this western part of Cuba 
was the principal object of our expedition. I had previously 
visited parts of all the other provinces, but Pinar del Rio was 
altogether new to me; collections made by previous students 
had demonstrated the great difference that exists between its 
flora and that of the central and eastern parts of Cuba; I was 
therefore prepared for novelty, and we found it in abundant 
measure. 
At Herradura we were the guests of Professor Earle and Mrs. 
Earle in their characteristic Cuban farmhouse, and to them we are 
oo PM bb 
nih vn Bes, 
1 
Fic. 30. Laguna Santa Maria, near Pinar del Rio. 
indebted for codperation and hospitality which made our work 
easy and rapid; we used this delightful spot as a base of opera- 
tions from August 25 to August 31. Herradura is located in 
the northern part of the undulating plain which stretches from 
the bases of the mountain range which parallels the northern 
coast of Pinar del Rio, south to the Caribbean Sea, the general 
elevation of the district being from 120 to 160 feet. Mira las 
lomas is the appropriate name given to the house by Mrs. Earle, 
and the views of the hills to the north are truly beautiful. This 
broad plain is traversed by numerous streams flowing southward, 
