Journal 20 April 1977. Nr Purilha, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala a Dr. Benitez of Purilha has investigated lands near there. A place called Pananguinto, low area, about 10 mi. SE of Purilha; road via horse- ride. Said puma reported near Nuevo Perdido recently. Local people kill every- thing. A boy (18 yrs ?) named Portalen, in alde about 1½ mi. S., knows country & would be good guide. A man named Dit (sp?) Amer. Univ. in Guate.? or Del Valle? often visits & camps w. Purilha / La Union, Sw. Emilio Royer, farm shackle and, very sensible & reliable man, about 40 yrs! Paul Gamaly about 50 yrs. Limited visits wint anytime. We left Purila about 13:00 took bus to San Julian (inter at jct. below Purilha; much more clearing & pastureland, cattle. Pinion gone. Patches trees. / Took bus to Talcuan ($1.30 ea). Down canyon between steep slopes by stream, thick brush. Crop fields. Beans, corn, bananas. At Tanalchi, loaded many Indian women w. basket on backs, reded blouse, low cut, flat harra plates. Body stunted; min 5 m. wide. Trees large. Pinon opposite (S aspect) slope down to 2300'. Large clearings on steep slopes. Terceno similar, 1800'; in narrow valley. Below gradually widened to ¼ or ½ mile bottom. Broadleaf palms, lone ceiba trees. "Papelchi" antiquities; station, school for majordomo; pastureland, cattle, fences and buildings; sign said 430 ft. elev. Streams permanent. Cattle agouti. Living farms. Smoky air. Dusty road. Narrow wooden bridges. Valley broader, 1 mi. out. (Town of La Junta larger, as busy market. Celad trees. Many fields of dried corn stalks. First patches step limestone hills. Hot, muggy, dusty. Arrived Talcuan 6 p.m. Mangoes, watermelon - little other fruit. A small hotel (1.75) but we camped in nearby field. One public washing pool on small stream. Main river solid with hyacinth. Boulder prominent. Hard shoulder valley. Road to Pueblo Viejo but no higher country beyond productive area; apparently no roads around far up on this side of side for M- cliffy peaks of foothill range visible, but air too thick to see vegetation