AMAZON BASIN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 310, 24 September 1921, Page 3

AMAZON BASIN

STRANGE DISCOVERIES BY SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION.

Further advices from Doan H. H. Rusby, of tho College of Pharmacy, Columbia University, and director ot the Mulford Biological Exploration of the Amazon Basfn (says the New York “Telegram” of August 18), report continued favourable progress and a considerable amount of scientific work already accomplished in the quest for medicinal plants and biological specimens of all kinds. . Departure from La Paz, Bolivia, was made about July 9, whence tho explorers proceeded by rail to Eucalyptus, the terminus'of the railroad. From Eucalyptus to Pongo they travelled by auto truck to the end of the new motor road recently completed by the Guggenheim interests in Bolivia? From Bongo a three days journey by mule brought them to CanaLina, which will be their temporary headquarters for three to four From this point some members ot tne party will ascend to La Paz River for some distance jn order to make special collections, others of the party making detailed studies in the vicinity of Canamina. . . Important scientific work has already been done and much of interest collected Every moment that could be spared from the work of repacking their goods and attending! to the details of their transportation has been utilised m scientific work, collections and ibservations having been made in and around Mollendo, Arica, Ariquipa, Tiavaya, and La A largo quantity of material has been received in Philadelphia by R. H. Hutchinson, the secretary of tho expeditionThis, the first shipment from Dr. Rushy, includes, among other things, many botanical specimens of important economic products of Peru and Bolivia, which will be deposited with the New Work and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Among them is an interesting edible fruit called the “pepino,” which at certain seasons of the year is cream-colour-ed with dark purple stripes, and at othnr seasons is green with purple stripes. Other' specimens which will go cO tne Museum of Economic Botany include fruits known as tho "tumbo and the "acohocto," and a delicious turnip-shap-ed root called "rhacacho. > In ascending and crossing the mountains from MoTiendo to La Faz. Drs. Rusby and Hoffman made careful and systematic observations on the effect of high altitudes on bloqeLpycssure and its relation to mountain sickness, which is known as "sirroche” in that country. Tropical diseases have also received attention, especially a form of ulcer called "uta.” coses of which the explorers saw on their visit to tho fine hospital in j_riquipa. , . Several thousand feet of motion picture film have also been sent back. Fills represents several weeks’ work of the motion picture operators who preceded Dk. Rusby, and covers scientific, scenic, and natural history subjects.