380 BOTANICAL EXCURSION TO SALINAS. 
of that numerous tribe, reaching a station elevated about 
500 feet above this point; Calceolaria ericoides (No, 180) 
was particularly abundant. It produces a profusion of yel- 
low blossoms arranged in the form of a spike, but very 
frequently lax; the leaves are totally different from any other 
known species, hence the specific name. The other plants 
were three species of Solanum, one of them a large shrub, 
a Peperomia and Datura sanguinea, the last named tree 
always in the neighbourhood of houses, ; 
May 7.—This day's journey, which usually terminates in 
Guaranda, is peculiarly interesting to the botanical traveller 
from the variety of climate he traverses, giving rise to a 
diversity of vegetable forms. At a point named ** La Chor- 
rera," where the main road to Quito branches off, Draba 
grandiflora (No. 152) occurs in considerable abundance. It 
ranges between 12,500 and 13,500 feet. A little higher up 
is the “arenal,” perhaps the loftiest road in the world, with 
the exception of that to Cuenca traced across the Asuay. 
Many curious plants vegetate on this elevated plain; but 
owing to the inconstancy of weather, and the great distance 
to an inhabited spot, I am obliged to make a hasty survey; 
trusting to some future opportunity to complete it. As the 
weather was unfavourable, I had barely sufficient time to 
add to my collection a new Draba, (No. 153) having the 
habit of some of our European species, and Sida phyllan- 
thos? (No. 154). The only shrubs were Lupinus (No. 47); 
and Chuquiraga insignis (No. 227). There was also a Gera- — 
mium very abundant, forming little clumps or hillocks, —— 
Astragalus geminiflorus (No. 297) in loose sand, and on 
tracts denuded of every other vegetable body, a Lichen (No. d 
137) the same that I had previously seen on the volcanic —— 
sands of Cotopaxi at a nearly similar elevation. & 
As we approached the point where the road descends We — 
were frequently enveloped in a dense fog, and scarcely had we — 
turned the western flank when it commenced raining almost — 
incessantly. This state of the weather continues, with little 
intermission, from the end of December to the middle of 
