26 
smouldered over the mountains. Samosir tapers off to a point, 
that exactly matches the conformation of the mainland on the 
horizon. Precisely in the middle of the distant background is 
a volcano. All this, done in the deep blues and crimsons of 
a tropical sunset - well, there f s no use trying to pick it out 
on a typewriter. 4 v 
A heavy storm made getting from our bungalow to the dining 
room a little difficult. We were furnished with paper umbrellas 
by the hotel, but spent a dampish evening. 
March 11 - Prapet - Siantar. 
Had. a swim in the morning ♦ After lunch we got a car and 
drove beck to Siantar, again in the driving rain, that soused us 
all as we were in an open car. 
About six o f clock Dr. Coenraad called to report that the 
first animals of the expedition had arrived - two Felis minute 
and two parrots, brought in by a native about eight miles away. 
It is a good start, for the little cats are among the things that 
Bill especially desired, and as they are not on the protected 
list we can accept them freely even before our permits cone. 
An airmail letter from Dammerman arrived about six-thirty, 
re-iterating the fact that we must list the animals we hope to 
catch. 
March 12 - Kisaran 
Dr. Coenraad called for us at eight o f clock, and drove 
us to Kisaran. The road was lined all the way with rubber trees, 
which are already seeming commonplace to us. At first the 
plantations, with their tall, light-beaked trees, and park-like 
mingling of sun and shadow, looked foreign and interesting. Now 
we look in vain for a bit of real jungle. 
Kisaran was reached about ten o f clock. We called first 
on Mr. Knapp, who, when he recovered a bit from his surprise 
at seeing us, was very cordial, and made appointments for us with 
a couole of Dutch naturalists. We went over to his house and met 
his wife, who has just returned from the States, and had two 
mint juleps - a mistake: One is enough in this climate. We were 
housed at the company ! s rest house (Kisaran, incidentally, is 
the U. S. Rubber Company, known as HAPM) and had really grand 
quarters - bedroom, sitting room and verandah. Tiffin was served 
us in our room, and we started out immediately afterwards to see 
the two Dutchmen who had an interest in animals. 
Mr. Leevenstein from the company ? s office took us in his 
car, and we called first on Mr. Slootegraaf, who has a fine 
collection of small birds, including some very beautiful sunbirds. 
He is interested in tropical fish, is doing some breeding work 
with Bettas, and had two small fish, one with a curious transpar- 
ent tail that is invisible at first glance, and one a tiny catfish 
with two spots on it. 
From his house we went to see Mr. Van der Laag, who 
