114 
hama Flora,” in codperation with Dr. C. F. Millspaugh, of the 
Field Museum of Natural History, to visit Cay Sal, situated 
across the Gulf Stream about east-southeast from Key West, and 
the nearest Bahamian island to Cuba. ith this in view I had 
arranged with Mr. Norberg Thompson, of Key West, for the use 
of a schooner, and he had obligingly prepared the “ Etta L. 
Thompson” for our use. We sailed from Key West on April 
12 and eee up the Florida Keys under light southeast 
winds, unfavorable for our purpose, to Boot Key near Knight’s 
Key, the nearest Florida point to Cay Sal, where the wind failed 
ae s gave us a capital opportunity, however, to ex- 
amine the and water vegetation on and around Boot Key, 
and quite large collections were made ; I am not aware that this 
key had been previously visited by botanists; the prickly-pear 
cactus Opuntia inermis is abundant, and fine living specimens 
were secured ; living plants of an interesting narrow-leaved Agave 
were also s shine ed to the Garden. When the wind blew the 
next time its direction was right for crossing the Gulf Stream, 
but there was too much of it and a northerly gale swept the coast 
for two days, changing to all points of the compass, and having 
given five days to the weather, we reluctantly concluded that our 
available time would not permit us to attempt the trip to Cay Sal. 
Dr. Howe and I returned to New York from Knight’s Key by rail, 
Mrs. Britton having preceded us by four days. 
The collections, including living plants, museum and _herba- 
rium specimens made by us and by Dr. Shafer are represented by 
over 3,000 field numbers, aggregating at least 10,500 individual 
specimens, and their study will throw much light on the charac- 
ter and distribution of the West Indian flora. The expenses of 
the work were defrayed by liberal contributions to the Explora- 
tion Fund by Mr, J. Pierpont Morgan and by Mr. D. O. Mills, 
president of the Board of Managers. 
Respectfully submitted, 
N BRITTON, 
Director-in- Chief. 
