﻿4 



INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDIES 



March,, and part of April, 19] 2, I travelled through the north- 

 western part of Colom])ia collecting fishes for my monograph on 

 tl'e Charaeins, and for a study of the Panama problem.- Carta- 

 gena was the point of approach; thence the route taken led to 

 Soplaviento on the Dique, and to Calaraar on the Magdalena. From 

 Calamar, the expedition went up the Magdalena River by steamer 

 to La Dorado, collecting at various stopping places. From La 

 Dorado, tlie route WcJS by rail to the upper part of the Magdalena, 



The best way to pass from the Magdalena to the headwaters of the Orinoco 

 and Amazon is hy way of Bogota. Go up the Magdalena to Honda, thence three 

 days by mule to Bogota, thence by a fair road, by mule some five days to the 

 plains of the East. It is not a difficult journey if you are a fair rider. Mules 

 cost OD the average five dollars a day apiece. All expenses per day traveling- by 

 mule ought not to exceed twelve dollars a day — fifteen dollars is a sufficient esti- 

 mate. Reduce the fifteen dollars to gold, and you have seven dollars and fifty 

 cents a day in our money. If you should go to the plains, however, you would 

 have to allow something for the outfit. One should take provisions, a bed, a tent, 

 a hammock, spare beasts, two boys, etc., and all these things cost money. The 

 thing is perfectly practicable, however, and can be done without much hardship. 

 In fact, I am seriously thinking of going over to the plains myself in August or 

 September if I can find a companion. Why don't you come down here in July, 

 and possibly I can go with you, though I should not care to promise absolutely. 

 If you come, provide yourself with winter clothing, including heavy flannels and 

 heavy overcoat, for it is often very cold in Bogota. In addition you should have 

 medium and light weight clothing, as a few hours of travel take you from cold to 

 heat and vice versa. Alcohol is expensive, but I have failed to get exact prices. 

 Living is cheap and poor. It doesn't cost much to keep soul and body together. 

 Fare from the coast to Honda is about sixtj'^-five dollars — thirty-two and one-half 

 dollars in gold. The trip to the plains should not be undertaken in the months of 

 March. April, May, October and November, on account of the rains. 



I am no naturalist and so should not be of much service to you in that I'espect. 

 But I am an old and good traveler on these roads and know how to get on and 

 make time, and in that way should be of great assistance. 



Bring plenty of quinine in two gr. pills, a good bowel remedy, some good 

 cathartic, a bottle of ammonia for bedbugs, fleas, etc., a good colored blanket, two 

 sheets, a small pillow, a hammock, a cork helmet, thin riding-gloves, a saddle 

 (Whitman saddle to be preferred), bridle, saddle-bags (not too large) ^ and what- 

 ever else you wish. Do not be afraid of bringing too much. What you don't need 

 can be left in Bogota, and what you do need you will want dreadfully. It would 

 be well to have a good revolver, about thirty-eight or forty-two caliber. The gov- 

 ernment does not allow the importation of rifles. If you need one for any reason, 

 we could get one here, I think, for the trip. The country is a safe one and there 

 will be no need of weapons. Life and property are rarely molested. There is no 

 danger in making the trip above the ordinary dangers of traveling. The most to 

 be feared is fever, malarial in its nature, and not dangerous. I have been in the 

 worst climates here, but never was ill a day, though my wife caught the fever once 

 on the Magdalena. The cardinal rules are, when you reach this coast — 



1. Eat heartily of the best food you can get, avoiding, when possible, too 

 much grease. 



2. Keep your bowels open always. 

 .3. Don't get frightened. 



That's all. Please excuse so long and rambling a letter, and believe me, 



Sincerely yours, 



.JOHN T. ABBOTT. 



Begun Mch. 29, concluded Apr. 25, '92. 



' The specific reasons for visiting this region will be more fully set forth in my 

 final report on this expedition. 



