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as I see it is to use a boat and then float
down the rivers but then, as I say, you do
not pass through the more exciting part of
the jungle on the mountains. There must be
some trails which would allow one to penetrate
these forests but then probably only animal
trails. I see no evidence of the natives
using these mountain jungles. The Local =
and jungles are wet and as the plane flips
over the sun is continually being reflected
from the ponds and standing water among the
trees. This part of the jungle would be
even more difficult to explore. I can not
see how any animal could have been adapted
to land existence in these forests; they
must all live in the tree tops which is quite
a different thing. In a country which is so
bountifully endowed with natural resources
of fruit and other food, I wonder if the
natives will ever develop a civilization.
Their existence is solved by merely reaching
up and picking their dinner off the branches.
It would take more than the C.I.0. to get
these yeople to work and to make progress.
This may explain why Guatemala is so back-
ward. ‘Then again, the ancient Mayan peoples
seemed to have made a go of it. I wonder
what the real cause is of the degeneration
of a once thriving civilization. It has
occurred in China, Assam, Burma, and Inuia-
we know. There is a gradual ascent to a
high plateau on which Guatemala City is
located. It lies on sort of a broad summit
which slopes to the south to the Facific

and to the north toward another range of
mountains. It is an elevated plateau which
has been partly eroded but is now checked.
The deep canyons end in abrupt head walls.
The relatively flat areas make ideal places
for habitation and practically every square