ILLUSTRATIONS (15). PALMS. 299 



fourteen to eighteen methodically described species ofpalins. 

 The difficulties of reaching and procuring the blossoms of 

 palms are, in fact, greater than can well be conceived; 

 and, in our own case, we were made peculiarly sensible 

 of this in consequence of our having directed our at- 

 tention especially to palms, grasses, cyperacea?, juncacese, 

 cryptogamia, and numerous other subjects hitherto much 

 neglected. Most of the palms flower only once a year, 

 and this period near the equator is generally about the 

 months of January and February. How few travellers are 

 likely to be in the region of palms precisely during this 

 season ! The period of blossoming of particular trees is often 

 limited to a few days, and the traveller commonly finds, on 

 his arrival in the region of palms, that the blossoms have 

 passed away, and that the trees present only fructified ovaries 

 and no male flowers. In an area of 32,000 square miles, 

 there are often not more than three or four species of palms 

 to be found. Who can possibly, during the brief period of 

 flowering, simultaneously visit the various palm regions near 

 the Missions on the Rio Caroni, in the Morichales at the 

 mouth of the Orinoco, in the valley of Caura and Erevato, 

 on the banks of the Atabapo and the Rio Negro, and on the 

 declivity of the Duida? There is, moreover, great difficulty 

 when the trees grow in thick woods or on swampy shores (as 

 at the Temi and Tuamini), in reaching the blossoms, which 

 are often suspended from stems formidably armed with huge 

 thorns, and rising to a height of between 60 and 70 feet. They 

 who contemplate distant travels from Europe for the purpose 

 of investigating subjects of natural history, picture to them- 

 selves visions of efficient shears and curved knives attached 

 to poles, ready for securing anything that comes in their way ; 

 and of boys who, obedient to their mandates, are prepared, 

 with a cord attached to their feet, to climb the loftiest trees ! 

 Unfortunately, scarcely any of these visions are ever realised ; 

 while the flowers are almost unattainable, owing to the great 

 height at which they grow. In the missionary settlements of 

 the river net-work of Guiana, the stranger finds himself 

 amongst Indians, who, rendered rich and independent by their 

 apathy, their poverty, and their barbarism, cannot be induced 

 either by money or presents to deviate three steps from the 

 regular path, supposing one to exist. This stubborn indiffer- 



