196 ON PLANTS or THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAK. 



already said, I did not meet with tlie one of which I was chiefly 

 in search. I found specimens of a hright yellow orchid which I 

 had previously procured at Sandy Point ; it is, I have little doubt, 

 your Asarca (2) Kingii. The petals are connivent. I also got beau- 

 tiful specimens of the lovely CodonorcMs Zessonii. We arrived 

 at Sandy Point on the evening of the same day ; and we expect to 

 be here until after the 19th, as we are awaiting the arrival of a 

 steamer from Valparaiso, which we hope will bring our mails. I 

 have picked up one or two plants I had not before observed — one 

 the pretty little blue Gentiana, and another a low shrubby plant 

 with evergreen leaves and small obscure reddish-purple pentan- 

 drous flowers. This last I found in the weeds adjoining the coal- 

 mine some miles ahove the settlement. I shall enclose a frag- 



ment, and shall feel much obliged if you wdll name it for me. The 

 settlement is extending under the vigorous management of the 

 Governor. It appears to be well adapted to the growth of po- 

 tatoes and other green crops which do not require much heat ; and 

 the harder kinds of grain, such as, for example, rye, might, I think, 

 have a good chance of ripening ; and there is also good pasturage 

 for cattle. One of the great difficulties that the colony will have 

 to contend with, as it appears to me, is the absence of exports, 

 without which it is difficult to see how it can be self-supporting. 

 However, gold has been recently found in some quantity in the 

 alluvial soil of the banks of a small river which runs through the 

 settlement ; and should a gold-field be establislied, this would put 

 the place on a firmer footing. From the time we entered the 

 channels till we arrived at this place we had more or less rain 

 every day, and I suppose we shall experience a similar fate when we 

 return to the westward in a fortnight's time. Our present ex- 

 pectation is to be occupied in the Channels till the beginning of 

 May, and then to move northward by stages to winter at Valpa- 

 raiso and Coquimbo before coming down for a final season. I 

 fear I am not likely to accomplish much more in the specimen 

 line, as I have already observed that the plants and animals of 

 these regions extend over very wide areas — but, of course, will 

 sedulously explore every place we are at. I earnestly hope that 

 we sball be at home in the course of the next eigliteen mouths. 

 With kindest regards, in which Captain Mayne joins me, 



Believe me, my dear Sir, 



Ever yours most truly, 



EOBERT O. CU5>*I5GHAM. 



