The Jersey City news., 1904-02-04

Wnefe MT. HaSSmann uld m0SI OF ms cOl-
lecting. His usual course was to pro-
ceed from the coats to Barranquilla, and
thence up the Magdaiena River to Hon
da, from which place he wonld strike out
through the bush. The navigation of the
Magdalena is a very Slow and tortuous
process, fraught with many inconyen-
fences and manifold delays. 1t is accom-
plshed in primitive steamboats, which
draw but two feet of water and consume
eleven days in making the trip. The re-
turn is made in abont four days, the rea-
son being that the feeble engines are un-
able to hold the boat back when it is car.
ried along by the swift current, at least
that is what travellers say. The current
and the numerous sandbanks offer absta-
cles to the successful navigation of the
river, and it occasionally happens that
when a boat runs aground crew and pas
sengers have to sit around and wait for
| the next rainy season to come along and
float them off Sometimes relief doesn't
come for four or five weeks.
Arriving at Honda, Mr.. Massmann
would then set about organizing his
party, which would include right hand
man, versed in the different mountain
trails, and in the general character of
| the land; some boys to do the climbing,
mules and mule drivers and others to
assist in the work. Mr.. Massmann
owned little mule. strong of back and
| wiry of leg, which he used for years in
these expeditions. He declares that the
animal could tire out a dozen horses.
The explorers usual costume usually
consisted of garment worn over his
other clothing. 1t looked like a Chinese
blouse and the natives called it a kuano.
1t is made Of white cotton and protects
| the wearer from the rays of the sun in
1 travelling owe the pfateaux and plains,
| and at night affords him a shelter from
| the dews and miasmas.
"Orchids,' said Mr.. Massman to a
Sunday News" reporter, sare always
found in greatest profusion at consid-
cradle elevation above the plains and
| along the mountain sides, often as high
as 5000 feet Two methods are used
in getting at the plants. One of these
is to lasso the tree-that is, to throw
rope around one of the topmost
branches from sixty to 100 feet above
the ground, hitch one end of the strand
around the shoulders of small boy,
and support him by pulling on the other
end, while he slowly and painfully makes
his way up the tree. This was often
difficult task, for the trunks OF the
trees were covered with slippery moss
and slime that gave the climber pre-
carious hold. This method consumes
much valuable time, but It las the meri.
of saving intact each specimen.
'aThe other method, which necessita.es
the telling of the tree, is accomplished
in a spectacular manner. The PARTY
equipped with machetes and axes
I starts at the foo of the mountain ant
gradually works upward, sometimes al
much as 5000 or 1900 feet, euttni
half way through the trunk of each tra,
in regular, well defined rath. At e.,
end of the chosen line three or four larg,
) trees are chosen As they lurch forwa.
their falling branches embrace those c
their half-seyer,d companions directly be
J low, and the latter, overcome by tn
increased weight, bend and snap, fallni
) ON the weakened trees beyond, so tha
in few seconds great wave is sweep
t ing down tie I ountain side 1t is
magnificent sight, but it means the de
| struction of many stately trees and I'll
: loss of some valuable orci 'ds. that ar
: Of necessity crusha N in the chaotic mass
) Then follows the fight of wild an
i mails from the stricken area, and order
: not restored for days. BY that time tn
!. party has started ON its way down th
: valley again, progressing through tn
e wreck and securing quaatfties of orchid
/ now comparatively easy of access.
due time the datland is again reachet
and then begins the work of classifcs
!, ton and packing for the journey to th
coast.
'.The specimens are all carefully sor
ed. Members of the party are set I
e / work making boxes to contain the plant
: some of which are bsdded in sphagnul
: moss, some in shavings, while the plai
d loam does for others, TO make the case
t some trees of large diameter are felle,
y One man stands on the trunk of th
r / tree while another is stationed in p
f directly beneath. They work a lars