207 



be described in our ' Plantes equinoxiales.^ The Molinas 

 are those suffi'uticose plants which we have met with at the 

 greatest elevation on the volcano of Purase, near Popayan, 

 and on that of Antisana. 



" At the height of 4100 metres, (2103 toises,) the alpine 

 plants give place to the Grasses, of which the region extends 

 to 4600 metres, (2360 toises.) The Jaravas, the Stipas, a 

 multitude of new species of Panicum, Agrostis, and Dactylis 

 cover the soil ; and present, at a distance, a golden carpet, 

 which the inhabitants call pajonaL The snow falls occa- 

 sionally in this region of Grasses. 



"At 4600 metres, (2360 toises,) there are no phseno- 

 gamous plants under the Equator. From this line to that 

 of perpetual snow, the LicJiens alone cover the rocks. 

 Some even appear to conceal themselves under the eternal 

 ice; for at 5554 metres (2850 toises) of elevation towards 

 the summit of Chimborazo," I have found upon a projecting 

 rock Umbilicaria pustulata, and Verrucaria geographical 

 these are the last organized forms that we have observed 

 attached to the soil at these great heights." 



From this interesting statement, it will be seen that our 

 Ranunculus Guzmannii is reckoned amongst the most 

 elevated of the phaenogamous plants; and, indeed, in the 

 Nova Genera, it is stated to have been gathered by Guzman 

 upon the mountain Chorazon, district of Quito, at an eleva- 

 tion of 2430 toises, and near the limits of perpetual snow. 



11. PAPAVERACE^. Juss. 



1. Argemone rosea; glaucescens, ubique aculeato-hispida, 

 foliis bipinnatifidis spinosis, capsula anguste ovata aculeis 

 erectis numerosissimis obsita, stigmate 4-5-lobo. 



Hab. Mines of Arqueros; Coquimbo; Chili; (Sandwich 

 Islands. Mr. Menzies.) 



It is now clearly ascertained, that more than one species 

 has been confounded with the Argemone Mexicana. The 

 A. alhiflora, sulfurea, and grandiflora, are, I believe, justly 

 considered as permanently distinct. To these I think 



