Tropical Vegetation. 159 



in which flourish, in solitary majesty, the shady Aleurites triloba 

 and the Aiida Gomesiif growing in avenues or other regular 

 groups, after all wild vegetation had been cut down. But at 

 the first step beyond, the foot of the wanderer through these 

 solitudes strikes into paths leading through the richest, densest 

 forest scenery Casuarinas (Anacardium occidentale'), with its 

 luscious pear-shaped fruits, the Indian mango-tree, the various 

 species of Eugenia, so rich in ethereal oil, the Figuera Branca 

 (Jiciis doliaria), the canoe-tree, a gigantic species of Bomhax, 

 protected by sharp spines, and other lofty forest-children, reach 

 to the very buildings ; while, amid the dense underwood that 

 grows unchecked, and a few paces distant only from the 

 dwellings of man, lurk dangerously poisonous snakes, who find 

 here a secure haunt. Within our own experience, as one of 

 the botanists of the Expedition was placing a ladder against a 

 primaeval forest tree, the progenitor of numberless scions, he 

 stumbled upon a poisonous Jacaraca, ready to defend from 

 intrusion his accustomed resting-place. 



At the north-west entrance of Jurujuba Cove, rises a lofty 

 island, with the appropriate name of Bom Viajem ("a happy 

 voyage"), with its church of the Virgin of the same name, 

 situate on the extreme summit, 400 feet in height. As, during 

 our visit to the hospital, the twilight had crept stealthily on, 

 we returned without further stoppage to Rio ; when the com- 

 pany, landing at the usual landing-place of the arsenal, 

 separated, full of the most pleasing impressions, arising from 

 the beautiful scenery enjoyed during the day, and a deep 



