48 



to scent the whole country with a delicious odour. All kinds of 

 wild animals, such as wild hogs and turkeys are very fond of its 

 fruit. Fresh and good seeds of it are very easily detected by the 

 bright yellow colour and by the fresh tooth-marks of the animals 

 of the woods, which feed upon the sweet yellow pulp above 

 mentioned. Snakes of a very venomous kind are abundant among 

 these stemless palms, so much so, indeed, that the men I had with 

 me found it necessary to dislodge them with a long stick before 

 they dared approach them. We killed several, which were not 

 particularly formidable in their appearance, but deadly in their 

 nature. A cross, decorated with flowers, and a few loose stones, 

 near one of the Taguelis (Tagua woods) mark the grave of a 

 person who died in a few hours from the bite of one of them, 

 and, as may be supposed, the inhabitants of the district live in 

 great dread of them. 



I leave this in four days for La Cruiz Bucaramanna. From 

 that place it is my intention to go to Pamplona, the highest town 

 of New Grenada, where snow frequently falls. I then return to 

 Bucaramanga, that being the direct road to Bogota ; and as the 

 whole of the journey is " Tierra fria " I expect it will afford me 

 many good plants. 



I shall be glad to know how the consignment arrives. The 

 glass case is filled with Tagua plants and the bottom covered with 

 seeds. There is also a separate box of fresh seeds. Should they 

 not arrive safely, I can procure another collection on my return 

 down the river. I am therefore anxious to learn how they succeed 

 as soon as possible. The roots of the two species of Achimenes I 

 trust will reach you in a living state, if not, it is worth going out 

 of my way to collect more. Should I receive no instructions 

 from you on my arrival at Bogota, I shall make the best use of 

 my time in some direction till I do hear. I am still of opinion 

 that the Province of Antioquia would produce some good collec- 

 tions. You may expect the boxes of plants and glazed case by 

 the packet which takes this letter." 



(Signed) " William Purdie." 



