532 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
reaching the Rio Grande, a considerable stream, the Thatch- 
palm constitutes the chief part of the vegetation for several 
miles along its banks. This river dashes onward over the 
rocks with sportive violence, and Mr. Wharton informed me 
abounds with excellent fish. On the margins of this pic- 
turesque river, and about seven miles from Port Antonio, is 
an emigrant settlement, a rich and extensive flat of naturally 
excellent land, but now a complete wilderness. A-few years 
ago, forty-five emigrants were located here, principally 
Scotch, there are now only four remaining, all the others 
having died of fever or similar causes. It was a sorrowful 
spectacle to see the emigrant houses falling to ruin, and this 
once richly cultivated plain wildly overrun with several spe- 
cies of unproductive Melastoma, and two of Psidium (Guava). 
We again crossed the river, for the third time, and reached 
Golden Vale Estate, and were kindly accommodated for the 
night by Wm. Pine, Esq. the lessee. I felt myself all the 
better for the journey. 
Thursday, 20th July.—Early in the morning I started, 
following the bed of the river, through an open and well cul- 
tivated country. I was surprised to see the Tree-ferns on the 
banks of the Rio Grande, growing not more than a mile from 
the sea, nor upwards of 300 feet elevation. Passing through 
Maroon Town, which is an interesting and extensive settle- 
ment, with hills surrounding it in the form of an amphi- 
theatre, I was delighted with the neatness of the cottages 
and gardens, which surpassed anything I had witnessed in 
Jamaica; the spacious village church, placed in the centre 
on a commanding spot, gave the place an additional charm. 
The inhabitants subsist chiefly by hunting wild hogs, and 
raising provisions for market. We reached Port Antonio 
about mid-day, a neat and thriving town, with a beau 
harbour. After getting my horse shod, we proceeded by 
the coast through a little lagoon country, which, from 
the dry weather, was nearly dried up. 
species of Lobelia was common along the coast, of which m 
I got seeds and specimens; two species of Croton, and one 
