BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 203 



Pines and others of Vellozia. I have also found some fine 

 species of Barbacenia, Diplusodon^ Eriocaulon, Hyptis, &;c. 



I would willingly make a stay of a month in this place, 

 where the botanical treasures would well reward my labours, 

 but want of pecuniary funds prevents me.* Notwithstanding 

 all my care, I find my stock reduced to thirty dollars, and 

 here there is no means, owing to want of communication with 

 Rio, for raising any more. My situation is thus very embar- 

 rassing. On the journey I was obliged to buy more horses, my 

 own saddle horse having been stolen from me at San Romao. 

 Many of those now with me are so cut up by the bad roads 

 and worse pasture, that they have become perfect Rozinantes ; 

 and 1 cannot exchange them for better ones, not having 

 money to give to boot. I had expected to find an English 

 physician here, who would have lent me some money on a 

 bill on Mr Harrison's house; but, a few months ago, this indi- 

 vidual removed to Minas Geraes. I am however told that 

 there is an English Mining Company about a day's journey 

 from Valla de Principe, and so there I shall apply, trusting 

 that they will not be so deficient in Christian feeling as to 

 allow me to ask in vain, for what a countryman only can be 

 expected to supply. Here every thing is so dear that I do 

 not think above half a dozen dollars will be left me on my 

 departure from this city, and how long that small sum may 

 last I would have you to imagine. Another consideration 

 which renders me most anxious to proceed, is the hope of re- 

 ceiving letters from yourself and from my friends and rela- 

 tions. It is now two years since the date of the last com- 

 munications that have reached me, and what changes may 

 not have taken place in that period !t I can hardly doubt 



* Could our letters have reached Mr Gardner which were written two 

 years ago, or any communications from Messrs Harrisons' house at Rio, 

 he would have had the satisfaction of knowing that his pecuniary resources 

 are in a very favourable state, owing to the readiness of Botanists to pur- 

 chase his valuable collections. — Ed. 



t Mr Gardner's forebodings were too well founded ; his fatherhaving died in 

 Glasgow, early in the present year (1840); it is now nearly twelve months 

 «ince we attended his remains to the grave. — Ed. 



