::::;:::^ THE TROPICS Is:::;;;:: 



and tortillas. Indeed, the staple food of the people 

 the whole year round is frljoles (fried beans), and 

 tortillas — hard, flat, leathery cakes made of ground 

 corn and water. 



POD OF MILK-WEED TREE 



The nights in this tropical country were cool and re- 

 freshing. For an hour in the eai'ly morning there was 

 no wind and the black flies drove us into our head- 

 screens. With the sun came a breeze and the flies van- 

 ished as if by magic. The heat increased until mid- 

 day, although even then one could walk slowly about 



4 285 ^ 



