plants of this Central American country, which lies between Nicaragua and Panama and is thus centered in isthmian Central America a biogeographical funnel between South and North America, densely rich in species and geological history. The Manual is the first comprehensive Spanish-language account of the Costa Rican flora. The work is presented in a series of volumes; Volume I, a general introduction, is the third to appear. Volumen I. Introduction This volume consists of five chapters dealing with the history of botanical exploration in Costa Rica, the physical aspects of the country, the vegetation (its characterization, distribution and analysis), the botanical novelties discovered during the preceding 15 years, and a detailed description of the layout of the treatment volumes. A complete list of literature cited is included at the end, as well as an appendix to scientific names. Most chapters are illustrated with numerous black and white photographs for a total of ca. 90 photos of botanists, habitats, and plants. Eight pages of color plates are also included.

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