1893. FLOWERS IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 415 



species of Miicuna, which hang their flowers on long strings, one of 

 our commonest timber trees ; the wallaba, with similar blossoms ; 

 the Mavcgravia, with its curious pitchers ; and several bushes and 

 trees with their flowers sessile on stems and branches, all go to add 

 to the interest of forest scenery. 



As if this were not enough, many of the shrubs and lower- 

 growing plants have coloured bracts. Almost but not quite hidden 

 by their handsome foliage, the heliconias glow with a fire-like 

 brilliancy, and some of the marantas, although not so conspicuous, 

 still show up well among their great leaves. A species of Cephaelis 

 has large scarlet bracts, and other plants of the same family come to 

 the front in a similar way. Tillandsias, which are epiphytal, and 

 have inconspicuous flowers, often shine up on the edge of the forest 

 owing to their scarlet bracts. 



Colour is by no means wanting in the leaves. The great family 

 of Melastomaceae, so characteristic of the American tropics, stands 

 out most prominently as an example of beauty in form, venation, and 

 colour. Many of the species have a crimson glow over their whole 

 surface which marks them out from their dark-green neighbours. 

 Their flowers, although not generally showy, are always elegant, and 

 their dark purple fruit very pretty indeed. The young seedlings of 

 forest trees have always two or three of their upper leaves glowing 

 with those delicate shades which are so conspicuous at the change of 

 seasons, and low-growing marantas are often striped with rosy or 

 white lines. Large patches of ferns and selaginellas also cover the 

 ground on the edge of the forest, and with their lighter tints contrast 

 with the dark greens and browns. 



Only in the dense forest, where perpetual twilight reigns, are the 

 tree-trunks quite bare. Along the river banks, borders of the savannahs, 

 and sand-reefs, every stem is more or less clothed with creepers. 

 Some, as Vanilla and Mavcgravia, climb like ivy, their leaves lying 

 almost flat, others festoon the tree with garlands, while the 

 immense heart- and arrow-shaped leaves of the giant aroids congregate 

 at the top, almost covering their host. Other great plants of the 

 last-mentioned family sit on the upper branches and threw down long 

 aerial roots, the size of thick twine, which branch into masses of 

 fibres as they reach the water. Mosses are not so plentiful as in 

 temperate climates : they are replaced by patches of ferns, some of 

 which are particularly delicate. Species of Trichomanes often extend 

 up the trunks for several feet, where they are replaced by Polypodiiim 

 piloselloides, and higher yet by Pepevomia niimmidavi folia. These form 

 cushions on which small epiphytal orchids, ferns, tillandsias, and 

 gesnerias find congenial habitats, all combining to decorate the 

 otherwise bare stems and branches. 



To return to the flowers. Away from the rivers and open spaces, 

 they are almost invisible, and even when seen many of them are 

 inconspicuous ; but, although hidden from sight, they make their 



