32 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



secured a notable catch of remarkably fine land- 

 shells, many insects, moths, and butterflies. We 

 observed on the vertical walls at the Puerta del 

 Ancon a most interesting plant of the genus 

 Anthurium with large cordate glossy leaves and 

 now exhibiting spaths of dull purplish flowers. 

 This curious plant, with even more curious relation- 

 ships and which we never observed elsewhere, is 

 related to our calla-lily and belongs to an order 

 abundantly developed in the American tropics; 

 another near relative is our Indian turnip. 



In the cove on the north side of the Sierra which 

 we christened the "Cove of Delight" we met with 

 a truly remarkable development of many species 

 of ferns, conspicuous among which are Adiantum 

 or "Maiden Hair," Hymenophyllum of delicate 

 lace-like texture, Davallia with wonderfully cut 

 leaves, and Trichomanes with triangular fronds. 

 From the trunks of most of the trees hang long 

 grass-like tufts of various species of Vittaria. 



When we returned to the inn flushed with 

 excitement, we chattered about our experience 

 like so many schoolboys after a ball game. 



At the Puerta del Ancon, an excellent example is 

 furnished of the manner in which the cave forma- 



