OF THE QUITET^IAN ATfDES. 191 



these I gathered a stoloniferous Ranunculus new to me, a small 

 Juncus, a curious Buhiacea allied to Bichardsonia, two lonidia, the 

 one with red the other with scarlet flowers, and some other herbs. 

 In the woods there was also a stinging herb with large white 

 flowers of the N. 0. Loasece. 



The Orchidece must not be forgotten — they were very numerous 

 and in fine state, especially two large-flowered Odontoglossa, whose 

 liana-like peduncles depended almost to the ground. There were 

 also some Oncidia and Epidendra, and many curious things whose 

 affinities I did not recognize, and which I have not yet examined. 



Prom Llalla I despatched my men to the adjacent paramos on 

 that side of Azuay, with instructions to bring me everything they 

 found in flower. They returned bringing a good many alpines, 

 including some pretty Senecios not elsewhere seen, a red-flowered 

 caDspitose Werneria, a small Crucifera, an Alstroemeria, a Gna- 

 phaliwn, but especially a beautiful Gentiana, allied to G. cernua, 

 and instead of having only one or two pendulous flowers, as in 

 that species, bearing a profusion of erect pyriform red flowers. 

 It is called "Eocotilla" by the inhabitants, from the similarity of 

 its flower to the fruit of a species of Capsicum called " E-ocote," 

 which is cultivated throughout the cold region. 



I have only a few more words to say about the Cascarillas. 

 I have conversed with many people who have worked on the 

 C. rojay and all profess to know of places where large trees were 

 left standing last year. As no one has entered into the trade in 

 this present year, those trees may have borne a crop of seeds, 

 from which by next year a number of young plants will have 

 sprung up. They offer also to take me to places where there are 

 beds of young plants of two or three years' growth. In the 

 forests about the foot of Chimborazo I am told that those who 

 cut down bark-trees break off the young branches and stick them 

 into the ground, where most of them take root — a very laudable 

 practice if the effect be such as is stated. It would appear from 

 this that cuttings might be safely tried. I planted two sprigs of 

 the G. roja in Bermeo's garden at Lucmas, which were growing 

 when I last heard of them. Prom what I have this year seen, it 

 appears that the Cinchonas flower at the end of the rainy season 

 — that is in May — and have ripe seeds in July, like a great many 

 other trees. May is the earliest month in which the forest could 

 be entered, and even then not w^ithout difficulty and risk. I have 

 made out that the town of Milagro, from which Guayaquil can be 

 reached in a day by navigating the river Taguachi, would be a 



p2 



