OF THE MATTO GROSSO EXPEDITION, 1891-92. 275 
those found in the great forest; and the flora as a whole has a large Amazonian element, 
not unalloyed, however, with a considerable proportion of East-Brazilian types. It 
must suffice to mention here Ingas (Inga nobilis, Willd., and J. edulis, Mart.), the flowers 
of which are often haunted by clouds of white and yellow butterflies belonging to the 
genus Callidryas ; a Sloanea (probably S. Mawximowiczii, K.Schum.) ; the beautiful shrub. 
Miconia stenostachya, DC., with masses of white bloom variegated by the yellow of its 
anthers; the red-blossomed Passion-flower, Passiflora vitifolia, H. B. K.; Faramea 
bracteata, Benth., a Goyaz plant; Psychotrias; Zpomea setifera, Poir. ; the Amazonian 
Croton Cajucara, Benth.; a Vanilla with ensiform leaves, probably Y. ensifolia, Rolfe—a 
New Granada species; the new Bromelia sylvicola; and Epidendrum imatophyllum, 
Lindl., a Guiana orchid. 
We did not succeed in reaching Diamantino, and, on our return to Santa Cruz, were 
still without satisfactory intelligence concerning the prospects of the main expedition. 
It was now the rainy season, and the district was frequently visited by thunderstorms, 
which almost always came, so far as one was able to note, from the north, north-east, or 
north-west. In consequence of the rain, a number of plants growing in the drier 
situations suddenly burst into flower, so that collecting became very profitable. Things 
continued in this state till Dec. Sth, when we received directions to come down to 
Corumbá. On the way 1 made use of several small opportunities to collect plants while 
wood was being cut. We stayed a few hours at Villa Maria, now better known by its 
modern «name, San Luiz de Caceres, and arrived at Corumbá soon after midnight on 
Dec. 17th. 
Corumbá is situated on the western—here, in consequence of a turn in the river, 
southern—side of the Paraguay, almost the 19th parallel of south latitude. The town 
stands upon a bluff overlooking a wide expanse of low-lying country to the north, much 
of which is said to be under water during some period of the year. The geological 
structure is a hard limestone, the age of which Dr. Evans was unable to ascertain in 
consequence of the absence of fossils, but which is almost certainly Palzeozoic. Consider- 
able quantities of rain having fallen since the time of our passage up the river, the 
aspect of things vegetable was now very different, and many plants were preparing to 
blossom or were actually in flower. Several rough tracks run out from the city through 
dense boscage, consisting for the most part of tall shrubs or small trees, larger trees being 
now and again met with. Fringing the river-side is a low-lying sandy area plentifully 
strewn with bushes and variegated with ponds and small pools, the haunt, I was told, of 
the Victoria regia, a statement I was unable to confirm. In one place this low-lying 
land is about 400 yards wide ; elsewhere it is narrower, or the bluff may come close up 
tothe water. At the time of our former visit, the greater part of this ground was under 
water although it was the dry season—the fact being that during the up-country wet 
season the water is low at Corumbá, and vice versá ; yet the seasons are synchronous, or 
nearly so, in the two regions—a striking testimony, this, to the extent of country drained 
by the Paraguay river. Walking by the river-side you will be surprised at the large 
amount of Croton scrub (C. nivifer, corumbensis, doctoris, all new species) exhaling its 
peculiar aromatic odour, evidently very attractive to insects ; Cassias ( Cassia alata, Linn., 
202 
