178 MR. SPRUCE'S EXCURSION ON THE AMAZON. 
same information respecting Obidos. In the month of May, the 
Sierras of Santarem are said to be a complete wilderness of flowers, 
and I am seriously thinking of proceeding now to the Barra of the 
Rio Negro, and of revisiting this distriet in the wet season. Another 
reason that seems to call on me to change my station is, that the 
‘surrounding country is almost entirely destitute of Orchidee and Ferns. 
We have got three species of each tribe which we did not notice at 
Para, and of the former all are out of flower. Of course I cannot 
call into existence any tribe of plants I wish; but if I cannot send 
Orchidee to Mr. Pince, I hope I have some other things here which will 
not be beneath his acceptance. The climate of the Rio Negro is said 
to be always moist (here it is very dry), so that I hope Orchidee and 
Ferns may flourish there. Santarem is an excellent station in many 
respects. I can easily make trips from it to Monte Alegre or Obidos : 
living is cheap and good, groceries and house-rent alone are dear ; 
and there is frequent communication with Parà; but winter is evidently 
the season for it. If I get to the Barra, I shall not like to come 
down again before I have visited Mount Maravaca and the Cerro 
Duida, but I fear my funds will not enable me to do this. 
I have had an interview with the Vigario of Santarem, respecting 
the crucifix sent here by Dr. Von Martius. The statue and inscrip- 
tion (which I have seen) are safe and sound, and a cross has been 
made to receive the former, but none of them is put up yet. The 
vigario tells me that they have no instructions from either Von Martius 
or the President of the province, as to who is to bear the expense of 
erecting this monument ; that the inhabitants of Santarem have already 
subscribed to purchase the cross, which is all that so small and poor a 
town ean afford to do ; that there is only one place in the church fitted 
for the reception of it, and that even here the recess would have to be 
eut larger, and a good deal of iron, wood, and mason-work would be 
required to support the whole properly. He estimates the expense at 
two or three hundred milreis. 
A messenger has called to hasten my letters. 
RICHARD SPRUCE. 
The barrel contains one full-grown leaf, and one about half unrolled, 
of the Victoria, with flowers in all states and sections of the roof, 
all carefully packed in banana leaves. The barrel, spirits, and carriage 
.. to Para, cost me very nearly a pound. 
