8 
forest, where it gi’ows in the eartli among rotten trees and wood. 
Also a charming Peristeria and a Stanliopea. I was surprised 
to find the forest, at the summit of the range, consisting of the 
same kind of Podocarpiis which I had seen in Jamaica; it is ot 
gigantic stature, vyeing with the loftiest trees. I am satisfied 
that these mountains, if traversed to Maracaybo, would produce 
many valuable plants, especially OrcMdece', but the journey 
would be a task of no small difficulty ; for all communication was 
cut off*, two years ago, with the view to prevent the escape of 
General Paz, and the way has never been re-opened. The savage 
tribes of wandering Indians, the bad state of the roads, and the 
abundance of tigers, bears, and other wild beasts, would offer 
formidable obstructions. 
It was a disappointment, on reaching Rio de la Hacha, to 
find no letters; though I had requested Mr. Marks, the Vice- 
Consul at Sta. Martha, to forward what might arrive for me. 
Your last bears date April 16th. 
I fear this is but a bad season for sending home my plants, 
for though I have used all possible expedition, wdth the view of 
forwarding them ere winter, I have been unable to accomplish 
my design. The Packet has also changed its time of sailing, so 
that the middle of November is now the earliest period when 
the boxes can be sent, and they and my letter will go by the 
same opportunity. I am now busy packing four boxes, and I 
enclose a list of their contents. 
In two or three days, I shall set off* for the Nivada, to ascend 
it by this side; an excursion which will occupy about a month, 
when, on my return, I shall ship my plants from Sta. Martha, 
and there dispose of my mules; that place affording the best 
market for them. The Nivada is four or five days from hence; 
it has been the wet season ever since I came here, and my jour¬ 
ney has proved, of course, all the more slow and tedious and 
difficult. 
I send a few seeds, to fill up the spaces of the box ; among 
them are some good things: a species of Justicia, much resem¬ 
bling a Fuchma in habit and inflorescence ; the seeds were scarce, 
but I procured a small quantity. No. 181 is an interesting 
Ipomcea, of an upright heath-like habit, and large sho’v^ flowers; 
there are three species of Aristolochia, two of Manettia, some of 
Pentstemon, with a greenish yellow inflorescence. No. 164, a 
Tetrandrous plant, is very showy, and has the habit of a Mimulus, 
and flowers like a Petunia, large and white. I have also some 
species of Orchideous plants, that I consider new. 
Shortly after Mr. Linden visited the Nivada, an epidemic broke 
