20 
to make, for the living plants which I took up, will not, I fear bear 
the journey to Antioquia: the route to reach which is by the 
Peak of Tolema. 
I arrived here with only a real and a half (nine-pence English) 
in my possession, in debt wdth my servants and my clothes almost 
reduced to rags. A few days, however, will enable me to set 
these httle matters to rights. 
The situation of Bogota is dehghtful, though rather cold, the 
thermometer varying from 58° to 63°. The city stands at the 
sloping base of a rock, which rises almost per| 3 endicularly 1500 
feet above it. A beautiful plain, several leagues in extent, 
stretches in front ; while westward there is a fine view of the snowy 
peak of Tolema, which I shall pass on my way to Antioquia. 
You will be glad to hear that I detected the famous Cow-Tree 
of this country (Arbol de Leche); indeed, two kinds of what is 
so called. I have sent seeds of one sort; the other, of inferior 
quality and value, was not in fruit, but in flower. Both are of 
gigantic stature, and it is singular that they are quite distinct, 
though probably alike belonging to the family of Sapotece. The 
most esteemed of these Cow-Trees was laden with its golden 
fruit, the size of a pigeon’s egg, which strewed the ground beneath. 
Every part of the tree, including the delicious fruit, abounds with 
milk, which is agreeable, and tastes like sugared cream; having, 
however, a clammy consistency, which does not please all palates. 
I found no injurious effects to follow my partaking freely of this 
vegetable milk. 
Bogota, Feb. 11th, 1846. 
On my return from a tour, through Muzo and Tunja, I have 
the pleasure to receive your letter of the 19th, of October. 
A few days since I dispatched a box of seeds, tw^o of growing 
plants, and two of dried specimens. Every precaution has been 
used in the packing and I think that no injury can occur, except 
mischief be done in going from the river to Santa Martha. The 
navigation, though only thirty miles from the mouth of the river 
to the latter place, is carried on in such wuetched, ill-constructed, 
and worse managed craft, that I am ready to tremble for the fate 
of my boxes. All was in the best condition when despatched. 
Bogota, Febraary 9tb, 1846. 
The purport of your last letter has somewhat changed my 
proposed route. I shall still, however, go to Antioquia, and 
return, either by way of the Rio Conca, or by the Magdalena, o 
