INTRODUCTORY 



collecting upon the northern slopes of the Sierra 

 de los Organos would be presented, — localities of 

 rich possibilities that had been denied us upon 

 previous inland collecting trips, on account of their 

 inaccessibility from the south or land side. 



Dr. Torre found that one of a most attractive 

 looking fleet of white fishing schooners, anchored 

 under the walls of Cabanas fort, could be char- 

 tered. With great and unexpected generosity the 

 owner, Raoul Mediavilla, placed the newest and 

 best, the Tomas Barrera, at our disposal. This 

 offer involving equally the generosity of her half 

 owner, Gaspar Pellicer, brought to our use a 

 splendid boat and crew, with a skipper-pilot 

 thoroughly familiar with the waters we wished 

 to explore. The owners positively declined to 

 accept any charter price or remuneration whatever, 

 leaving to us merely the cost of provisions. 



Thus materialized our dreams of a naturalists' 

 cruise in Cuban waters. It was like seeing burst 

 into full flower a cherished plant one had long and 

 tenderly nurtured. 



With the ample proportions of the schooner and 

 the possibilities of a much greater range of work 

 than originally contemplated, Dr. Torre and I 



