244 VOYAGE TO ST. THOMAS, ST. KITTS, ETC. 
ponderated, and I hardly knew what to seize first. 1 had 
a negro with a basket, but it was soon full. I also found 
here a beautiful Machantia. Perspiration absolutely poured 
down my forehead; but as we ascended, the atmosphere 
became cooler and more European, and everything around 
us more and more moist, Musci and Jungermannie became 
abundant, and I almost leaped for joy at beholding in their — 
own home old acquaintances, which I had hitherto only seen — — 
in pictures and herbariums. Even my companions Were 
surprised, and observed, that by having their attention thus —— 
excited by me, they could not fail to acknowledge the beau- - 
ties and wonders of nature. The trunks of the trees were - 
covered with parasitical ferns; amongst which, some species - 
of Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes were most elegantly — 
conspicuous; between them were long pendant J ungermanni&. 
Our negroes preceded us, cutting a road; but, at last, we - 
were forced to make use of the bed of the stream for our - 
way. In this the stones were not so much overgrown with © 
moss as is usually the case with us. Thus we arrived at — 
last at the pond, which is plainly a crater filled with water. - 
: Here vegetation had so completely gained the supremacy, 
that the whole was overgrown with a carpet of shrubs, grass, 
ferns, and Lycopodia. Notwithstanding the warnings of my | 
companions, I ventured as far upon these as time would | 
alow me, because I knew from experience, that there was 
no danger of sinking in. The Lycopodium curvatum, occur- 
ring here frequently as high as four feet, is particularly ele- 
gant, having the appearance of a very small fir-tree. The 
Surrounding heights are every where covered with the palm- 
like fern, and the cabbage-palm. Any one settling here; 
clear the land, would collect great treasures. We took, 
standing, (it being too wet to sit down), a slight meal of 
bread, ham, and wine, to which the negroes added a few 
cabbage palms, cut down and prepared for the occasion. : 
It demands much self-denial to pass by so many botanica 
treasures; but time pressed, and our baskets were quite full. 
On our return, we had frequently to slide down the er 
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