159 Umi River in Goroka and power loss in internal combustion is 3% per 1000 feet of altitude. Frame saw will be used for breaking down, as most economical in power. Hauling of cut lumber down the new road to Goroka can not begin until after the wet season. Old Kotuni mill on Mt. Otto will be continued in operation until then. Two Echymipera rufescens, new for the collection, brought in by a Tsingit- rompön native in afternoon. Wednesday, November 25. Cloudy weather continues; this a.m. there was a shower. Much rain from a thunderstorm beginning at 5:45 and lasting until after seven. Rain perhaps heavier out in the Markham Valley. Weather still from SE. Collected up the small, engorged stream from which we get our camp water. The morning rain cut time short and proceeds were small. Third of three locally common stinging trees (Laportea) collected. This with stinging hairs only on the inflorescences. Another has them only on the inflorescences and edges of the leaves. The third is covered with the usual acid-secreting spiny hairs and has rugose purplish leaves. Nothing in traps, 50 of which have been set in the relic patch of rain forest on the plain. Only a Pitta caught. Rain prevented bat shooting and jacking tonight. It also came through our old thatch roof in quantity. We have pack cloths and plastic sheets to cover everything spoilable. Thursday, November 26. Day mostly cloudy. About 3/4 hour steady rain from a thunderstorm 6:30-7:30 p.m. The river 2-3 inches higher through the day. A traveler who crossed the Leron today en route Kainantu reported the river low. We are watching the weather, with our own crossing of the Leron in mind. We planned to close the Umi Camp on Monday 30th but will leave for Lae before that if the weather does not improve. This was my last full day of botanical field work for this camp. Went up the Umi to the second house, then followed a trail used by the mountain people when they travel through here. Total distance rather more than a mile from camp. Most interesting plant was a small tree (#32718) with bell-shaped flowers which may be in the Loganiaceae. It grew in a deep ravine. Was stung today by a fourth species of stinging tree for the locality. This, copiously hairy, could not be found in collectable condition. One Hydromys in a steel trap at my dragonfly pond. Nothing else in traps. Latest trouble in the botanical department is bad kerosene, used in the drying lamps. The kerosene contains black sludge and some other substance which looks like fine grains of black iron. It fouls the generators of the Coleman pressure lamps and can not be pricked clear. Worse, it coats the inside of the generators with rubbish which is very hard to remove when the lamps are taken apart. I started the trip with a good supply os spare generators, the last one of which was put into a lamp today. Shell kerosene, being used lately, is just as bad as the Vacuum we used previously; probably comes from the same source. Friday, November 27. Mostly sunny day with strong breeze up the valley; clouds very low on the mountain slopes; no rain.