362 VOYAGE OF H.M.S. HERALD. 
the tree is beneficial in another way: from its bark and the root of the 
Tabachin (Poinciana pulcherrima, Linn.) a decoction is made, which is 
admitted to be one of the best remedies for curing cutaneous diseases, 
especially the lepra. For the same malady, the inhabitants of tropical 
America possess many excellent remedies. In the Isthmus of Panama 
they use the leaves of the Malva (Malachra capitata, Linn.) and the 
bark of the Palo de Buba (Jacaranda Bahamensis, R. Br.) and that of 
the Nance (Brysonema cotinifolia, H.B.K.). The Malva, however, I 
consider as one of the most effectual. 
The first part of the road from San Sebastian was very monotonous, 
passing through Maguei plantations, remarkable for their stiff and 
uncouth appearance. Towards the afternoon I came into a more 
varied landscape—to the foot of the Andes, or Sierra Madre, as they 
are called. The oppressive atmosphere of the coast was less felt at 
every step, the air became cooler and more agreeable to a European 
constitution, and, although the excessive dryness continued, a few 
-stragglers of the Oak and Fir showed themselves. In the evening of the 
26th of November, I reached the village of Copala, and on the follow- 
ing day that of Santa Lucia. Of all the places I have seen in Mexico, 
none has pleased me more than Santa Lucia. Situated about 4,000 
feet above the sea, enjoying throughout the year a temperate climate, 
it lies in a romantic valley, encircled by elevated mountains, which 
admit a view of the Pacific Ocean. The houses of the Indians, scat- 
tered over an undulated surface, are surrounded by that beautiful 
E. vegetation in which the graceful forms of the tropies are harmoniously 
blended into the flora of the temperate zone. The Acacia and Mi- 
34088 stand in company with the Oak, the Fir, and the TAalictrum. 
— Hardy Umbellifere and Composite are mixed with Alstremeria, Cuphea, 
— Tupa, Lobelia, and Lophospermum, from which bronze-coloured hum- 
. ming-birds suck the sweet nectar. 
_ Nearly every hedge is overgrown by a splendid creeper, the Zpomea 
= Schiedeana, Ham. Its azure flowers are remarkably large, from four to 
. five inches across, and set so close together that hardly a leaf is to be seen, 
and the plant resembles a blue sheet, from whence the vernacular name, 
* Manto de la Virgin," or Cloak of the (Holy) Virgin. There is 
another plant of great beauty in these parts, the Poincettia pulcher- 
rima, now common in European gardens. About Santa Lucia, where 
is called Catalina, it grows in damp and shady places. An extract 
