19 
arrives. The glass-case contains growing specimens of Tagua ; and 
the soU is full of fresh seeds. I also send a box of the newly 
gathered nuts, packed in moss. If these should unfortunately 
suffer by the voyage, 1 can procure more on my way down the 
river and am therefore peculiarly desirous to know their fate, 
without delay. 
There are two singular kinds of Achimenes, which I hope may 
reach you alive; if not, they are worth looking for, on my return 
route. 
When I reach Bogota, if I find no instructions from you as to 
my further course, I shall endeavour to employ my time to the 
best advantage ; botanizing in different directions, till I do receive 
orders. I am still of opinion that the Province of Antioquia 
offers a promising field. 
The plants in boxes and the glass-case will be forwarded by 
the Packet, which conveys this letter. My health is now, happily 
restored. 
Bogota, Nov. 13th, 1845. 
I reached this place four days, in good health; but I find no 
letters, though a Packet has very recently arrived. 
The country I have traversed from Ocana hither is moun¬ 
tainous and beautiful, but unfortunately deficient in virgin 
forests; owing to the practice which the inhabitants pursue of 
burning considerable tracts every year, their object being to obtain 
with little trouble, fresh grass for their cattle. Rich as is the 
soil, a very small amount of labour bestowed on cultivation would 
procure all the necessaries of fife ■, but such is the rooted idleness 
of the people that they prefer depending on their cattle. 
I found the cold very severe in the Paramos; not from its 
absolute intensity, for the thermometer rarely falls below' 40°, 
but because, in these elevated regions, the atmosphere is so rare. 
Animals and birds perish in great numbers wfith the cold: I 
noticed large tracts strewed wdth their bones. Still these places 
were highly interesting to me in a botanical point of view, and 
produced noble Gentians and Sgngenestous plants. I am sending 
home a fine collection of seeds, chiefly of Ericeee, Berberidets, a 
striking Tovaria &c. 
Four days’ journey from Bogota, I found the most beautiful 
plant that has yet rewarded my researches, a Lisianthus, forming 
a dense shrub, about three feet high, and covered with lax racemes 
of scarlet flowers. As the seeds were not ripe, I must go again to 
collect them; a considerable detour, w'hich it is, however, advisable 
