IN PANAMA 
219 
tree that I saw, far up in a secluded mountain valley, was not over 
twenty-two inches in diameter. The natives could always pick those that 
are the best milkers. As a rule, these trees had a larger leaf area than 
the others, which accounts, I think, for the extra flow of latex. Those 
in the dense forest seemed to bear few seeds, while on the edges of the 
trails or in open places they were abundant seed bearers. There seemed 
to be no leaf or bark diseases, and even trees that had been mutilated 
the worst by the rubber gatherers seemed to be sound and healthy. 
INTERIOR OF CAMP RIO NEGRO. 
Exploration was, of course, greatly hindered by the heavy rains 
that came nearly every afternoon, and sometimes in the morning as 
well. These swelled the rivers so that fording was difficult, and turned 
the steeper trails into muddy torrents. The shacks of Indians who 
were collecting rubber were often visited, and deserted camps always 
examined. A camp usually consisted of a palm thatched leanto, just 
big enough for two men to sleep in, on a narrow pole-covered bench.. 
