BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 487 
waters; so far as I could detect. Thousands of Ornithorynchi, 
however, people the source of the Derwent. Ducks were 
scarce: we shot a specimen of the musk duck (Malacor- 
hynchus membranaceus), and some black ducks." 
R. Gunn. 
Boïssier : Spanish Botany. From Estepona to Gibraltar, 
through Ronda. 
I was on the point of proceeding straight from Estepona 
to Gibraltar, along the sea-shore, previously to visiting the 
_ Serranio, where the country is cold, and vegetation backward, 
when I was informed that the fair at Ronda would commence 
on the 21st of May, and that I had not more than time 
enough to go there. Much had been told me about this fair, 
which is the great annual solemnity of all the inhabitants of 
Andalusia, residing within a circuit of 100 miles; and I felt 
curious to see its celebrated bull-fights, and to enjoy the 
animated spectacle which the town and its environs pre- 
_ Sent at this season. Consequently I modified my first plan, 
_ and set off early next morning for Ronda, along with an 
inhabitant of the Serrania, who promised to guide me 
through the difficult and little known paths which cross 
_ the mountains. We pursued awhile the road which leads to — 
Marbella, and then turned aside and followed the channel of — 
. & stream, among arid plains, and reached the valleys at the — 
= footofthe Sierra. The sun was rising, and it brought out, 
.. by its fine masses of light and shade, the forms of the — 
_ Barbary Mountains behind us. “Alli està la Moreria” —— 
_ (there lies the land of the Moors :) so said my guide, while - 
carelessly and scornfully pointing to that strange and little 
.. known region, which stirred all my feelings of curiosity and — 
_ Wonder. Nature was redolent of sweets in the cool nc rning m 
_ their charming blossoms, one of the most elega the | 
Helianthemum atriplicifolium, with long velvety panicles ; 2 
