166 APPENDIX. 



Mimosa pudica has a wonderfully wide range, and in many places covers quite half the 

 savanas. 



" The savanas of Central America are not bare treeless plains like the prairies of 

 North America or the pampas of the Argentine Kepublic. Numerous variously-shaped 

 groups of trees give endless variety to the country. Species of Verbenaceae, Dilleniaceae, 

 Melastomaceae, and Papilionaceae are most numerous ; and of trees Miconia auriculata, 

 M. impetiolaris, Hirtella racemosa, Duranta plumieri, and Curatella americana may be 

 mentioned. 



"The southern slopes of the Cordillera may be divided into four altitudinal 

 regions : — 



" 1. The region of Evergreen Trees. — Palms, Cyclanthaceae, and Scitamineae flourish on 

 the northern side as high as 2000 feet, and on the southern side up to 1600 feet above 

 the sea. The Verbenaceae, Rubiaceae, Papilionaceae, Melastomaceae, Euphorbiaceae, 

 Compositae, Clusiaceae, Myrtaceae, Sterculiaceae, and climbing Aroids are especially rich 

 in species here. The undergrowth consists largely of species of Heliconia, having 

 gigantic succulent leaves, and splendid, finely-coloured flowers. Species of Loganiaceae, 

 Smilacineae, Simarubaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Compositae are also numerous. The 

 espave tree (Bhinocarpus excelsa), most abundant on the river-banks, the ceiba-tree 

 (Eriodendron anfractuosum), and the mahogany-tree are the finest and tallest trees of 

 this region. 



" 2. The region of Tree-ferns and Grasses and the showiest Mountain-orchids, 2000 

 to 3500 feet. — Many species of the characteristic orders of the lower region begin to 

 disappear, and beautiful tree- and bush-like ferns appear in great profusion. The 

 monocotyledons of the undergrowth, especially the palms, Cyclanthacege, aroids, and the 

 genus Heliconia decrease considerably, while epiphytal orchids flourish in the greatest 

 variety. Of cultivated plants, the cacao, the vanilla, the indigo, and the sarsaparilla 

 are wanting, and although the banana grows up to 4000 feet, it loses its beauty and 

 value. The Verbenaceae, Piperaceae, Papilionaceae, and Compositae are as strongly 

 represented as in lower altitudes. Various endemic Laurineae, Tiliaceae, Clusiaceae, 

 Apocynaceae, and Vaccinieae are peculiar to this region. 



" 3. The Region of Bosacece, Labiatce, and Compositae, 3500-4200 feet. — Although 

 the characteristic species of these orders actually appear in the region immediately 

 below, it is only here that they present themselves in such abundance, especially on 

 the outskirts of the woods, as to constitute a prominent feature in the vegetation, and 

 give the landscape its peculiar physiognomy. At this altitude, even during the 

 ' verano,' the vegetation is the richest in flowers, and exhibits the greatest resemblance 

 to the flora of Guatemala and Mexico. Prunus, Bubus, Aster, and Biles are found 

 associated with Fuchsia, Salvia, and Lupinus, in great variety. Oaks occur in large 

 groups, though they belong more specially to the next region above. On the southern 

 declivity of the Cordillera natural savanas of grasses and ferns ascend to this height, 



