set at a fruiting Jambosa tree within a few feet of the resthouse we live in. Tubuka and Sipoma brought in 5 Pogonomys cut from trees, and VC Bom contributed two more. This Pogonomys is a beast very different from those we got in the D'Entrecasteaux. Has a skull squarish on top, and three lines of cusps. Our Gissiagos give evedence of being happy on Sudest. They have been singing for hours this evening. Tuesday August 21: No rain in 24 hours. Mountains (Riu) clear till at least midday. Natives are burning the grass again after the rain. Botanical project of the day was the collection of the tree from which the "gum" of the island is collected for export. Had VC Bom as guide. Came upon the trees in primary rain forest of the little valley of Vulcunitu stream, about two miles inland and altitude of 400-500 ft. Catica sprobably papuana, called Guimbur by the natives; This produces a reddish gum (so described by Bom) which is the chief product sold. A whitish gum (no doubt a resin) is obtained in small quantities from a dipterocarp with winged fruit, called Walei (said by Bom to be called Rul on Misima) which occurred abundantly in ridge forest further inland. This dipterocarp as plentiful or more so than any other tree in the forest of the ridges farther inland, which have only fair timber volume. A common larger tree is the Syzygium I collected on Sunday. The Vatica where I saw it was the commonest canopy but small (about 20-25 m tall x30-40 cm dia.) Rus, with a guide and two or three hangers-on from Erinamola village, made a 7-hour excursion to a mine tunnel much farther S or SW said to have been made by one Manning. A sell dug tunnel, according to Rus, which went in a long way, but could not be entered far because of deep mud and water. Literally thousands of bats flew out when a shot was fired into the tunnel. All Miniop teris, but in two sizes and probably two species. About 50 collected with switches outside the tunnel. Lionel returned from the mountains at noon - unexpectedly early. With good travel he reached a camp site in the forks of a fair-sized creek at an estimated 1000 feet, at the foot of Mt. Rattlesnake (or Riu) in 5 hours from Joe Landing. From there climbed nearly to the summit of the mountain, past Eichhorn's reputed camp site if 40 years ago. This took 2 1/2 hours. No water near the Eichhorn site; A good second site for a camp on the track about 400-500 ft. above the creek, on the crest of a broad ridge. Mossy forest conditions not encountered anywhere. Description of the second camp site appears to indicate oak forest, and Tinker carried an acorn back in his pocket. Rather disap- pointed in the report. We will not be able to camp as high on the mountain as I had hoped, The summit area should be attainable for bptanising from the second camp site. Altitudes are of course estimated, now that we have no aneroid. Had my first sight of Riu from Erinamola village on the way into the field this morning, and another view from a 1/2 mile or so further inland. It would be an exage- ration to call the peak a Matterhorn, but it is steep towards the summit and very limited un area. Viewed from about NW there is a side pinnacle a few hundred feet from the summit; Eichhorn said to have camped on the saddle between the pinnacle and the main peak. Have sent out word for at least 55 carriers for early thursday morning. Two native sailing canoes from Grassy Island put in at dusk to spend the night at Jpe Landing. Said to be on a sago-making expedition. Canoes each with 5-6 people on board (men, boys and women); rigged with a lug sail (European material). Wednesday August 22: A lot of high thin overcast today, but no rain. Strong SE wind at times. All busy with preparation for leaving for the mountains tomorrow. Joe Landing