16 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
latter singular and beautiful tree inhabits the Lagunes on the 
coast, no less frequently than the deep dank woods of the in- 
terior. As we ascended, I observed a few scattered trees of a 
gigantic species of Podocarpus,* and these became more nume- 
rous as we proceeded, till the wood consisted chiefly of them 
towards the summit of the range, which here does not exceed 
3,000 feet above the level of the sea. The thermometer 
indicated at mid-day, 83° in the shade. This noble Podo- 
carpus is among the largest forest-trees of Jamaica, and a 
fallen specimen I measured had been of the following dimen- 
sions. At 6 feet from the ground, diameter 3$ feet; at 40 
feet, where it was still without a branch, it measured 2 feet 
9 inches, and many of the boughs, which all sprung forth 
above that elevation, were individually no insignificant trees. 
The whole height of this specimen exceeded 100 feet, and it 
is by no means a solitary instance of such dimensions. I 
afterwards saw many, much loftier and of equal diameter, 
covered with the thick dark green foliage, so peculiar to the 
genus, but which this species displays in a more than ordi- 
nary degree. I caused two moderately sized individuals to be 
cut down, for the sake of seeds and specimens, which I ob- 
tained of the female tree, but was unsuccessful in endeavour- 
ing to procure male catkins. I was much amused in this 
neighbourhood with the dexterity of a Whip snake, contriving 
to ascend a large tree of Psidium montanum, which, although 
as smooth as marble, the reptile climbed with extraordinary 
rapidity, making a successful escape. The day was by this 
time considerably advanced, and it was necessary to retreat, 
carrying back however a quantity of young plants of Podo- 
carpus. I did not observe P. coriacea, but its absence is 
easily accounted for, that species never inhabiting a less 
elevation than 5000 to 6090 feet. We reached Golden 
Valley about two hours after dark. 
Wednesday, 26th July.—Returned to Bath and planted 
another of Ward's cases and packed some Orchidee with two 
large specimens of Tree Fern, simply using;the fronds and a 
* Podocarpus Purdiena, Hook. Ic. Fil. v. 7, t. 624, 
