BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 503 
obtained seeds, CArysophyllum Cainito, Dolichos pruriens, 
Canavalia rosea, Guilandina Bonduccella, Aristolochia, sp., Hi- 
biscus populifolius, Pothos, sp., and two species of Tilland- 
sia, Opuntia communis, Cereus repandus, and Agave Kuratto, 
on rocks facing the south; the latter growing in thousands, 
now presenting its pyramids of golden flowers, had a very 
imposing effect. The above, with several species of Solanum, 
form the principal part of the vegetation of the island. A 
species of Lastrea, and one of Hemionitis, were the only 
Ferns Y saw. The fences of Bromelia Pinguin formed a 
striking contrast with those I had left behind me in England. 
The vegetation, generally, is anything but luxuriant ; oranges 
are cultivated sparingly; the cocoa-nuf is more abundant, 
but confined to the habitations of man, and is generally 
thirty to fifty feet high. A few specimens of Areca oleracea 
and Phenix farinifera, in the gardens of the town, hada 
very pleasing effect. The sugar-cane is but little grown, 
there being few localities adapted to it, so that St. Thomas 
is almost entirely dependent for its supplies on the small 
island of Santa Cruz. qu 
After a stay of three days, during which the weather for 
the most part was very wet, with the thermometer never 
below 80°, the maximum 84°, we sailed for Porto Rico, and 
reached it at 8 o'clock, A.M., on the 10th, and only stopped 
to land the mail This is a rich and romantic island, the 
Vegetation more luxuriant than any place I have seen, and 
Presents every conceivable variety of scenery. The moun- 
tains of the interior rise to a considerable height along the 
Coast. The flying-fish were starting up in shoals, alarmed 
at the noise of the steamer. We soon came in sight of 
St. Domingo, and after two days’ and nights’ sailing, close 
to the shore, we sighted Cape Hayti. This is the most 
Magnificent country I ever saw, the loftiest mountains being 
Covered with a luxuriant forest, and the extensive plains 
appearing impenetrable; nota trace of cultivation, nor the 
slightest indication of its being inhabited was perceptible 
till we reached Cape Hayti, which, from the effects of the 
