FORMS OF VEGETATION. 17 



Aloes. There is but one plant here as a representative of 

 this form the agave which grows principally at the Bocas 

 islands, in great numbers and with much vigour. 



Grasses mainly arborescent, Although the bamboo, which 

 chiefly represents this form in our island, is a foreigner, yet it has 

 spread all over the colony to such an extent, that it becomes, in 

 many places, an indispensable adjunct to our island landscape. 

 We possess, however, an indigenous bamboo, which may be seen 

 at Caroni, Chaguanas, and Couva, and also the elegant chusquea, 

 which we have noticed on the Tocuche. 



Ferns. We have a few tree-ferns, as I have already men- 

 tioned ; but as they grow on the top of our highest monies, they 

 are not easily reached. Notwithstanding, the form of ferns has 

 here a large number of representatives, and in many localities 

 they add no inconsiderable charm to the refreshing scenery of our 

 valleys and ravines. 



Lilies. Although we have a number of very elegant 

 pancratiums, crinums, and amaryllides, yet a South American 

 island is not exactly the spot in which a botanist would seek or 

 expect a rich assemblage of these plants. The only part where 

 the importance of this form is exhibited to any advantage, is the 

 swamp near the savannah at the Cocal. 



Willows. Not represented here. 



Myrtles. In dry and somewhat sterile spots, we generally 

 meet with a peculiar vegetation, characterised by not very large 

 trees, with slender branches, small leaves of a dark shining green, 

 and a roughness of the stem, owing to the shedding of their bark. 

 These are myrtles. But the myrtle form does not possess here 

 that importance it assumes in higher latitudes, and in New 

 Holland. 



Melastomas. If we are rather poor in myrtles, this deficiency 

 is compensated by the melastomaceae, a form not very remote 

 from the preceding. The plants belonging to it are, generally, 

 shrubs or small trees, with dark green leaves, distinguishable by 

 very prominent longitudinal ribs. The flowers commonly form 

 large rich clusters, and are frequently very fragrant. They are 

 closely allied to the next class. 



Laurels. This closes the list of forms, as enumerated by 

 Von Humboldt. He adds to this form, that tribe of plants to 

 which belong the mammee and the Matapalo of our forests 



B 



