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PANAMA (PAGE TWO) 
Other streams likely to serve as winding lanes to discovery 
are Rio Indio, Rio Salud, and Rio Chiriqui, the latter named by 
Columbus. Columbus’s more than passing interest in this coast, as 
proved by the contents of his log, was centered in its Indians. 
fnese natives, known as Guaymis, wore gold ornaments —— 
possibly the first New World gold seen by Europeans, Dr. Stirling 
suggests. The gleaming decorations excited Columbus's men and they 
were soon in trouble with the Guaymis trying to come by some of their 
gold. 
Virgin Archeolo gical Field 
Since Columbus's 1502 visit, almost nothing has been 
witten about the region. It is completely unknown archeologically, 
and little is known of the Guaymis, very primitive people who file 
their teeth to sharp points. The 1951 expedition is, therefore, 
exploratory, to fill this 4- ! +9-year gap. The existence of pre-Columbian 
relics seems likely, Dr. Stirling believes, since Columbus noted that 
Indians were plentiful there in his time. 
A great contrast in climate marks the two sides of western 
Panama's mountain divide. Moisture-laden Caribbean winds drench the 
coast north of the ridge, causing the lush tropical jungle.. On the 
Pacific side the land is dry and comparatively open. 
The explorers' stay in the jungle will extend from late 
January until early May. En route southward by air, the group will 
make visits averaging four days each in the capital cities of Mexico, 
Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica for the purpose of studying 
anything to be found in museums and libraries on the archeology of 
western Panama. Their itinerary puts them in Mexico City from January 
2 to 7, Guatemala city 7 to 10, San Salvador 10 to 13, San Jose 13 to 
17, and Panama City January 17. 
Bird life in this same area of northwestern Panama is 
likewise unrecorded. Dr. Alexander Wetmore, Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution, and Dr. Watson M. Perrygo, of Smithsonian, 
both outstanding ornithologists, will join the Stirling camp to 
catalog the region’s birds. 
