-134- Heavy mist on the heights above us. More or less overcast here, but still no rain. Thursday, October 28, 1953: Max 24, Min. 18 C. Still no rain. Considerable cloud this P.M. The usual starry night. Had only fair results from a morning up to trail. In afternoon sent boys down to the big creek by a track out by Van a couple of days ago. While I was in the field this morning the Wakonal V.C. arrived with 18 carriers. Van who handled this transport and made a good job of it, had only 16 loads. Those carrying loads were paid 5 sticks of tobacco, the surplus people had a present of 1 stick each. Three youngsters from Garuwata today with 3 Rhinolophus caught in a rock cave at our waterfall camp. Yesterday the Garuwata councillor and several villagers (including one deaf and dumb boy) came across the mountain with food which we did not want. Liberal presents of newspaper given them. Saying goodbye, the councillor, who knows a fair amount of English said, "I want to cry". He meant it too. Heavily recruited as they are as labor, these Goodenough people are unspoiled, trusting and very likeable [illegible] folk. Friday, October 30, 1953: Max. 26, Min. 17 C. Sunny A.M.; overcast P.M., mist drifting over the 4000 ft. ridge to the east of us; a few spots of rain in camp. Preparing to leave this lower mountain camp; packing pickling specimens which can't be dried now, developing photos, etc. A messenger arrived in mid-afternoon bring a letter written by Ken at Bolu Bolu this morning. Geoff is improving. The doctor permits him to travel home by air. Buntings have bookings to New York for him and Van, for departure from Samarai November 12. It is a great relief to know Geoff continues to mend. Today (or yesterday) the folks at home will have had my radios advising the situation. Van will have ample time to pack his collections before leaving Samarai. This camp has been very productive for plants. In six days I collected 190 numbers, 715 herbarium sheets. Another week could have been spent here profitably. Weather conditions - no rain, pleasant temperatures - have been perfect for field work. This appears to be the beginning of a fairly general flowering season for plants. The locals say that when the yams grow-they have recently been planted - the oaks and Castanopsis will break into flower; they have young buds now. A number of ferns are sterile now and could not be collected. Camp is in transition oak-rain forest; rain forest occupies the ravine of the Utamodi stream, 100 m. below us. The locality has been very meager in results for Van. Only 8