658 . BOTANICAL NOTES. 
markably dry and transparent. This may be one reason why 
no trees are found on the plain of Quito, excepting such as 
have been planted round the “haciendas.” At Pichàn, 
12,986 feet, where the western descent commences, We 
have, instead of shrubs, large forest trees clothing the preci- 
pice to the height of nearly 14,000 feet, associated with 
a few Alpine forms, as Lychnis (No. 115), Cerastium (No. 
(108), a gigantic Draba (No. 77), and a stinging Loasa, with 
a flower of the colour and size of an orange. From this 
point, down to the level of about 8,000 feet, the forests 
frequently break into clumps or patches with vacant spaces 
of soft green pasture, very much resembling English park 
scenery. 
Nothing ean exceed the richness and variety of the Flora 
of this region. The gorges, or wooded defiles, are resplendent — . 
with Fuchsias, Thibaudias, and Begonias, entwined with 
Tacsonias and Alstremerias ; nor can I conceive any thing 
finer than the curious genus Loranthus, vegetating on the 
large forest trees, and displaying aloft a profusion of splendid 
blossoms. One species, in particular, produces a large | 
cluster of pendant flowers, each measuring about ten inches - 
in length, and resembling the finest coral. From their pecu- 
liar mode of growth, none of these shrubs have been hitherto - 
introduced in a living state, and consequently no idea can be . 
formed of their extreme beauty from the mere inspection of a 
dried specimen. 
Amid the multitude of fine flowers that embellish these 
tropical forests, those of the Orchidee deserve particular 
notice. Perhaps no class of plants displays so much diversity 
in the construction of the corolla, while the whole group is 
at once distinguished, as constituting an extremely natural 
assemblage. The resemblance which some of the flowers bear 
to certain animals has not escaped the observation of these | 
people, little inclined as they are to investigate the natural 
productions of their magnificent country. The fine genus 
Anguloa, a native of the province of Loxa, produces a flower 
which, from some fancied resemblance to a bull's head, bas 
