389 BOTANICAL EXCURSION TO SALINAS. 
randa before sunset, but unfortunately the mule that carried 
my luggage was thrown down in a narrow pass, where it was 
found impracticable to extricate her without taking off the 
load. So much time was lost before this could be accomplished 
that I was compelled to pass the nightin the open air, spreading 
over my bedding an indian-rubber poncho to exclude the rain. 
We entered Guaranda next day about 10, and having eat 
nothing for the last twenty-four hours, joined to the fatigue 
of the previous day's journey, I felt little inclination to move 
about. Guaranda merits no particular notice. "The houses 
are badly constructed and filthy, and the village, excepting 
on the Sundays, seems to be nearly deserted. The surround- 
ing scenery is highly picturesque. Hills cultivated to the 
summit, and houses frequently perched on the brow of a pre- 
cipice indicate marks of industry. The wealth of the province 
however consists in horses and mules, which are hired to 
transport articles of foreign manufacture to the capital. 
The native flora of Guaranda is of an interesting descrip- 
tion. One of the most showy plants is a Passiflora with a 
rich crimson blossom. There are several handsome Salvias, 
and no less than six Calceolarias. A tall shrub of the 
order Acanthacee*, (No. 166), with large orange flowers and. 
stiff holly-like leaves, grows on the sides of ravines. | 
May 16.—Started for Salinas, distant from Guaranda six 
leagues, and situated on the ridge of the Cordillera in a di- 
rection almost due north. The journey commences by aS- —— 
cending a hill, immediately beyond the suburb, terminating 
on the summit in a level road and traversing luxuriant fields — 
of wheat, barley, maize and lucerne, all beautifully verdant. 
The different Calceolarias were in fine bloom ; and with regard 
to geographical position, I may remark that numerous tribe 
is almost exclusively limited to the side of the Andes fronting 
the Pacific, not a single species having been found by me c 
a corresponding elevation on the eastern chain. The same 
remark will apply to the genus 4/stræmeria. : 
* Aphelandra carduifolia, Hook. Ic. Pl. tab. 718. 
