EXCURSIONS ON THE COAST. 



391 



many families ; it seems, indeed, a characteristic feature of 

 forest vegetation here. Occasionally the buttresses partially 

 separate from the main trunk, remaining attached to it only 

 at the point from which they start, so that they look like 



Buttressed Tree (Eriodendrum Sum:ium;i). 



distinct supports propping the tree. I copy here an ex- 

 tract from Mr. Agassiz's notes upon the vegetation of the 

 Amazons, in which allusion is made to the Sumaume'ra. 



" Any one coming from the North to the Tropics, if he 

 has been in the habit of observing the vegetation about 



