510 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
of which I obtained specimens, and the singular Helicteres 
Jamaicensis, with two kinds of Melastoma, and a few Ferns, 
formed the principal part of my day's collection. After travers- 
ing several coffee plantations, I reached Radnor, when I found 
that my over-fondness for the night breeze at Penn Hill had 
given me a cold ; so that however pleasant it may be, particu- 
larly after leaving the plains, it is more prudent to avoid the 
direct influence of the night air. 
8th June.—In the morning, I endeavoured to make ar- 
rangements to visit and sleep one night at the Blue Moun- 
tain Peak ; but Friday and Saturday are the two market days 
for the negroes, so that I could get no one to accompany 
me before Monday, the 12th. In the mean time I made an 
excursion to the Portland Gap, an elevation of 6,000 feet, 
where I met with the most dense forests I had yet seen. 
Ferns were very abundant; Marattia alata, a beautiful plant, 
in great plenty; it does not appear to grow below this eleva- 
tion. Two species of Viburnum, one of Garrya, two of Clethra, 
two shrubby Solanums, Podocarpus coriacea sparingly, three 
kinds of arborescent Ferns, Epidendrum glaucum, three Spe- 
cies of Pleurothallis, several Melastomaceous plants, and some 
interesting shrubs, were all new to me. : 
On the 12th, by daybreak, I started for the Peak, taking 
with me three negroes, and a fourth with a mule as far as 
Portland Gap, which is the nearest point of ascent. We 
reached that place by seven o'clock, a.m., and after collecting 
a load of plants, principally Ferns, I despatched my horse and 
mule back. I then proceeded, but not altogether empty; 
two negroes carrying a full load of yams and salt fish, with 
some pieces of sugar-cane. "These things they appear to take 
with them instinctively, which is perhaps a fortunate circum- 
stance, particularly if the quantity be moderate. From pt 
point the dense natural forest begins. Garrya Fadyena 1$ e" 
abundant; Vaccinium meridionale holds a conspicuous place, 
laden with fruit, superior in size and flayour to that o Pam 
cintum Myrtillus, the Blaeberry of Europe. A 
Melastomaceous plant, with solitary scarlet flowers, Was mr 
