THE CINCHONA-FORESTS OF SOUTH AMERICA. 509 



bright rose-tint and of an agreeable fragrance. The bark of the large 

 trees is usually completely covered with mosses of the most delicate, 

 lace-like texture, interspersed with lustrous, variegated lichens and 

 diminutive, trailing ferns, while air-plants and vines in profusion en- 

 twine themselves among the branches of the trees, and hang in 

 graceful festoons, forming hammocks, in which clusters an abundance 

 of parasitic growth, particularly of the orchid family. Vegetable 

 growths develop with wonderful luxuriance beneath the interlacing 

 branches, which permit but little access of sunlight underneath. 

 Everything is saturated and dripping with moisture ; the very air 

 we breathed seemed a clammy, aromatic vapor. In these vast forests 

 atmospheric changes are continuous and abrupt ; drifting banks of 

 gloomy clouds are followed by glaring sunshine, and then tempestu- 

 ous showers all in rapid succession. The temperature is more even, 

 averaging about 65 Fahr., seldom exceeding 80 or falling below 

 45, the altitude being about six thousand feet. 



To discover cinchona-tree patches in the forests, the cascarilleros 

 ascend such high spurs as command a good view of the surrounding 

 valleys and mountain-slopes. After discovering a forest that indicates 

 sufficient value to render it profitable to work, a certain limit of forest- 

 land is condemned and a claim made to the Government ; upon the 

 payment of a certain fee, a title is granted on very much the same 

 plan as those upon mining claims in the United States. The next step 

 of the cascarillero is to apply to a bark-dealer for funds with which to 

 work the claim : if he can present satisfactory evidence that his forest 

 is a profitable one, sufficient money is usually advanced, the merchant 

 holding the title as security, with an agreement that the bark shall be 

 delivered and sold to him exclusively ; sometimes the dealers purchase 

 claims outright, and employ men to work them. For many years the 

 bark-trade of Bolivia was monopolized by the Government ; the casca- 

 rilleros were obliged to sell their bark to a bank established for the 

 purpose, and receive for it whatever price the officials chose to pay. 

 This system was conducted with such flagrant injustice and dishonesty 

 that it was finally broken up. Now, each republic levies a duty on all 

 barks exported. 



The season for bark-gathering begins about the 1st of August (in 

 some forests as early as June), and lasts till October or November ; 

 during these months the bark cleaves most readily, and, on account of 

 less rainfall, the forest is more accessible. It is next to impossible to 

 enter it during the wet season. A master cascarillero with his gang 

 (sometimes several hundred peons) establishes a main camp in the 

 forest, on an elevated point where there is an oj>ening in the forest, 

 so as to allow the bark as much exposure as possible. The peons are 

 formed into squads, and scatter through the forest, establishing small 

 camps. When they are ready for work, and the bark-gathering be- 

 gins, one or two from each division seek out the trees, while others 



