COLLECTING ECONOMIC PLANT DATA 6 



the language of the country; and, lastly, know thoroughly and comply 

 strictly with the customs of the people encountered. 



Anyone accustomed to fixed transportation schedules must be pre- 

 pared for disappointments, and for this reason the itinerary should be 

 planned to allow for alternative modes of travel. One should be prepared 

 to travel by air, train, automobile, boat, canoe, horse, mule, or even by 

 foot, depending upon circumstances or emergencies. 



Naturally the kind and amount of luggage will depend upon the pur- 

 poses of the trip, the mode of transportation, the length of time to be 

 spent, and other factors. Nevertheless, the luggage should be confined 

 to bare essentials. He who travels lightest often travels farthest. Usually 

 much of the ordinary equipment, such as hammocks, blankets, mosquito 

 nets, saddles, and cooking gear, can be obtained locally and will then 

 conform with local needs and usage. Packing cases, of wood or leather, 

 and duffle bags are often available in larger cities. Pressed-fiber cases 

 are extremely desirable for their durability and lightness but cannot be 

 bought in Latin American countries. In the United States they are 

 usually made by special order and design. Separate pieces of luggage, 

 weighing 50 to 60 pounds each, are better than one heavy unwieldy box, 

 especially if travel is by horse or mule. 



A collector's chief concern is the safety of his specimens and notes, and 

 he should take every precaution to protect them. When traveling by 

 canoe in rough country the containers of specimens and notes should be 

 constructed with air chambers to ensure floating in case the canoe 

 overturns. 



Unless firearms are needed to hunt game for food, they might better 

 be left at home, because they are likely to arouse suspicion and under- 

 standably so. This is particularly true when passing examination by the 

 customs officials of different countries. 



Usually a small exploring group is better than a large one, especially 

 where transportation is uncertain. A party of 2 or 3 might travel with 

 facility where a group of 10 to 15 would create a local crisis. Further- 

 more, people with mixed interests traveling together usually end up at 

 odds with each other. The man wanting to collect plants will be held 

 back by the one collecting insects or studying soils, or vice versa. 



Clothing is a matter to be judged by the individual, but in most Latin 

 American cities suits can be made to order rather cheaply. Since dry- 

 cleaning service is obtainable only in larger cities, suits should be of 

 washable material. White cotton suits are worn everywhere, except in 

 the higher altitudes. Ready-made clothing usually is not available; con- 

 sequently, the traveler might better stock up on field clothing at home. 

 Khaki or blue-denim work trousers are appropriate and serviceable. 

 Field shirts can be blue, khaki, or white, although the last are subject 

 to stains and discoloration by plant juices. Shirts having two pockets 

 with buttoned-down flaps are most practical. A pair of canvas leggings 

 are useful when riding horseback. Travelers wearing hats larger than 

 size 7, or shoes and socks larger than 10J^, will do well to outfit them- 

 selves before leaving home, because large sizes in these articles are diffi- 

 cult to find. 



Clothing brought from one's own country may not always be appro- 

 priate in the region to be explored; therefore, native materials and 

 garments should be adopted as far as possible, on the assumption that 

 they are best adapted to local conditions. As an example, the woolen 

 ponchos (ruanas) of the highlands of Colombia and Ecuador can be 



