BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 17 
little grass for the purpose ; the wbole being protected with 
splines of Bamboo. ; : 
Tuesday, Ist August.—After dispatching them to Port 
Morant, the morning being wet, it was late before we started, 
the Rev. J. Wharton kindly accompanying me by the moun- 
tain road to Kingston. To this gentleman, I am much 
indebted for many kindnesses, both during my illness and 
stay at St. Thomas in the East. 'The rain wbich had been 
falling in the mountains rendered our progress tedious, as the 
river was much swollen ; however, after crossing it about 
thirty-five times, we reached Whitehall, and were hospitably 
received by the excellent proprietor, A. Hodgson, Esq. 
Wednesday, 2nd August.—A fine and clear morning, and 
the lofty mountains of the interior showed to advantage. 
. We were early afoot, and took our course through a richly 
cultivated district, entirely of sugar; passing the several 
estates of the Spring, Serge Island and Mount Ida, all in a 
fine state of cultivation. In the gravelly bed of Morant river, 
I found two species of Crotalaria, growing with a remarkable 
Melastoma, an erect and elegant shrub, bearing inconspicuous 
flowers; also a small shrubby Eugenia, of which I secured 
seeds. On our right lay the beautiful Blue-Mountain Valley, 
bounded on all sides, except the south, with lofty and 
well-wooded mountains.  'The district we traversed was 
for the most part cultivated, and presenting hardly any 
plants in flower. It, however, afforded me a few species of 
Ferns 1 had not before seen, a showy Solanum, with large 
Purple flowers and of which I gathered seeds, also a striking. 
species of Cestrum, and seeds of Passiflora rotundifolia. 
Ascending the mountains, we quickly attained the coffee 
district, which occupies all the southern face of this gigantic 
range, between the elevations of 3000 and 6000 feet. Above 
that height the coffee bush itself thrives, but does not bear 
any fruit; a circumstance, I should suppose, attributable to i 
the extreme fertility induced by the atmosphere above that S 
elevation, keeping vegetation constantly excited. - In the. 
Woods higher up, which are enveloped in clouds, for at least 
VOL. Iv, P ea 
