192 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



swamp area in which, immediately behind the 

 light, the trees have been cut revealing across 

 the open space a solid wall of dense forest of large 

 fine trees growing upon the dry solid land. Along 

 this coastal ridge, running southeast, is the track 

 of the narrow gauge tramway, part of the same 

 system already referred to and used by the 

 charcoal men. The track following along the ridge 

 crosses the swamp area and enters the heavy forest. 

 The usual coastal belt of scrub growth and sand- 

 beach vegetation is very narrow or wholly absent, 

 and the more majestic forest is quickly attained. 



This forest is typical of such regions, but is 

 probably heavier here than elsewhere in Cuba. 

 This is probably the nearest approach to the ''high 

 woods" of the low-lying damp regions of Central 

 and South America that can be found in the island. 

 The trees are large and vigorous and of many 

 species including mahogany, gumbo-limbo, Span- 

 ish cedar, and a host of others that defied our 

 attempts at identification. A thick growth of 

 smaller trees and bushes of infinite variety fills 

 in the space below the high branches of the major 

 trees and the whole being bound in a living cord- 

 age of lianes. A great variety of air plants festoon 



