IN THE ARID LANDS OF INTERIOR BRAZIL. 
This photograph shows the type of vegetation through 
which the Brazilian Expedition traveled during its explo- 
ration of the catingas or dry lands of northeastern Brazil. 
It was taken near Joazeiro, on the Rio Sao Francisco, in the 
interior of the state of Bahia. While no cacti appear in 
this picture, several species are common in the region. 
During the very brief rainy season the vegetation comes 
into active growth, flowers, and produces seed. In the 
dry months which follow nearly all the plants drop their 
leaves and the country takes on- an extremely desolate ap- 
pearance. Among the plants of the catinga there are sev- 
eral of economic interest, notably the "imbu" {Spondias 
tuberosa) the golden, plum-like fruit of which plays an im- 
portant part in the dietary of the natives: the "caroa" 
{Neoglaziovia variegata) , a fiber plant which furnishes ma- 
terial for the manufacture of ropes and baskets. Photo 
No. 14936 by Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe ,. Brazil , Feb. 22, 
1914. 
