will be pretty well cowered in the next few years by capable 
and thoroughly trained botanists. At present most of the col¬ 
lecting is feeing done by residents who are characterised by 
the Latin American tendency to follow the course of- least re¬ 
sistance . Choir field data, by the way, are not so reliable 
ae one would wish. 1 think: they trust too much to afterthought 
when they write up the notes for their specimens, I know of 
one man who estimates his altitudes in a very bad my, H@ 
estimates Ms altitudes by guessing what the level he is at 
on a mountain should be by comparison with an apparently sim¬ 
ilar level on a distant mountain of known altitude. Such a 
procedure results in serious error. From my observations and 
fro;,: the stories of my colleagues it would seem that the spec¬ 
imens we have been getting are only such things as aref snatched 
from the trail-sides on aimless rambles, 
I am burning with the desire to see your forthcoming* paper 
on Costa Alcan orchids and I am overwhelmed with impatience 
while anticipating.the'arrival of the tracing© of your Costa 
Rican novelties, Costa Rica is a wonderful country, I wish we 
could go there together some day and explore Surialba, Uho 
county round Cartage is delightful end close to localities 
that one in sad need of intensive exploration. 
o©na me some duplicates soon, I can promise you a most 
acceptable exchange . 
Yours sincerely, 
