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Notes on the Volcano of Tuxtla (or San Martin) Vera Cruz, Mexico, 
May 11-13, 1894 (Cont'd.) 
slope at about 3500 feet above sea level. The volcano and all the surrounding 
country for miles is covered by heavy layers of volcanic sand & ashes, which 
take up all surface water and no springs occur anywhere around until one 
gets beyond the border of the plain which skirts the volcano and the high 
ridge adjoining. This mountain has a very rainy climate. 
VEGETATION . 
Nothing is cultivated about the volcano and all the flanks of the 
main mountain and adjacent ridges are covered with virgin forest, containing 
f 
many very fine trees. among the trees are cedars, wild figs and many that 
I do not know. From the sloping plain up to 4800 feet the vegetation changed 
but little. The heavy forest full of small palms, cane, vines and other 
undergrowth continued nearly as far as 3000 feet. From 4800 to 5000 feet the 
trees became rapidly smaller and from 5000 to 5&50 ft. the growth changed 
its character; trees gave way to thickets of bushes, patches of orchids and 
mosses were common, and at the extreme summit the bushes were only six or 
eight feet high, and many small open areas were seen. The plants taken on 
this trip will give a general idea of the vegetation encountered. They are 
numbered 458 to 482 inclusive, and the altitudes of each are given in the 
catalogues of plants. From the rank growth of vegetation and abundance 
of hanging and other mosses on trees between 4000 and 5000 feet it was 
evident that the climate here is very cool and moist. 
FAUNAL NOTES. 
Owing to the recent formation of this mountain and its isolation 
from the main range of the cardillera the mammals and birds here are mainly 
those of the adjacent lower country. As a result the cool, moist climate 
