-132- Travel was by the track we followed up from Garuwata on Oct. 7, as far as the lower (1380-1400 m.) end of the grass spur, i.e., the divide between the Garuwata and Utamodi valleys. The same divide followed down to about 1200 m.; after that a subsidiary spur to within a few hundred feet of the moisy Utamodi, where the track swung left on the steep slope (960m.) and in about 10-15 minutes dropped into a small basin in which camp is situated. Instead of following the crest of the main ridge down to the 1200 m. level, the track often as not was on the very steep side of the ridge. Fortunately, there were plenty of trees to hold onto, for foothold was bad in places and there were loose rocks. Track im- proved on the less steep slopes at lower levels. Down to about 1100 m. travel was through [illegible] Castanopsis forest of rather low trees. Found acorns on the ground at 1030 m., where the forest became taller and moister. There are 2 spp. of oaks about camp, which appears to be in the mid-mountain- rain forest transition zone. Camp is well situated; good ground; splendid water supply from a spring. Sunday, October 25, 1953: High thin overcast until mid-afternoon; gusty SE wind; no rain or mist. We are below the cloud belt. Botanized in an exploratory way down the small camp stream a short 1/4 mile, then along the crest of a ridge which separates the camp stream from the main valley of the Utamodi. Old garden lands occupied by forest second growths begin on the ridge about 5 minutes from camp; in 10 minutes walk one comes to a spur-crest strip of recently burned grass dominated by Themeda. From the grassy spur there is a fine open view of Vivigani airstrip, the lower Garuwata River and the coast beyond. Van is getting a good start with mammals; On arrival yesterday there were awaiting him the skin and skull of a lowland wallaby Dorcopsulus shot by Ken below Wakonai, and a low mountain Pogonomys cut from a hollow tree by camp-clearing natives. Last night another Pogonomys was shot, and today, five more taken from a hollow tree. (Two distinct species of Pogonomys collected so far on the mountain, possibly a third). Monday, October 26, 1953: Another rainless day, sunnier than yes- terday. The thin coating of mosses on the trees is dry; the rich, friable brown soil quite moist in the forest. Morning spent on the Utamodi. Bed of stream only 100 m. below camp, but the slope of the ravine very steep, so precipitous that in places a plentiful undergrowth of Elatostema; etc. is not sufficient to stabilize the soil and rubbly rock and there are numerous little slides. The stream very rocky where I saw it. The flora poor for a moist ravine at nearly 3000 ft. An extraordinary moss hangs from the trees in tresses 2-3 feet long.