BOTANICAL INFORMATION, 505 
fence. This plant forms a prominent feature in the landscape 
of the plains, which, from the continued dry weather, pre- 
sented very little in flower. As we approached the Moun- 
tains, vegetation became more luxuriant, and the scenery 
inereased in grandeur. On moist banks, I obtained plants 
and specimens of Lobelia longiflora, (this is considered poi- 
sonous to cattle) as also of Echites suberecta and umbellata, 
both species abound in the plains and are very showy. 
Mangoes are exceedingly plentiful, and although an intro- 
duced plant, the Mangifera threatens, at no distant period, to 
assume the sovereignty of the soil. It bears the worst of treat- 
ment with impunity and I observed several fine specimens, 
that are made chopping-blocks of by the Negroes, without 
the least apparent injury. There is none propagated, except 
by seeds, and consequently scarcely two trees are alike, as 
regards the flavour of their fruit. Although they were taken 
from a French prize, and only numbered, connoisseurs 
declare that they know each variety, say as number eleven, 
as soon as they see it, some being good, but a great many 
not eatable. All domestic animals are fond of mangoes, 
and they are considered very fattening both for man and beast. 
We reached the Botanic Garden Inn by night, a deli;htfully 
cool place, as compared with Kingston. The Hope river, 
à considerable stream running in front of the Inn, no doubt 
contributed materially towards cooling the atmosphere. "The 
elevation cannot be more than 400 feet above the sea. "The 
morning of the 20th being very wet,it was mid-day ere we 
Started. Crossing the Hope river we reached the site of the 
old Botanic Garden, now a complete wilderness; some fine 
trees of Pandanus spiralis, Phanix farinifera and Lagerstre- 
ma Regine, are among the few remains of this once noble 
garden. I gathered specimens of a pretty Justicia, two spe- 
“es of Adiantum, a Pteris, and several Polypodia; Bignonia 
‘ngissima, a singular and beautiful tree, with two kinds — 
of i$, were abundant. Stizolobium urens is a large 
Climber, and 1 obtained seeds of it. "The scenery, although 
Picturesque, as we ascended through the first range of moun- 
VOL III. ; AP 
