KELATION BETWEEN CLIMATE AND VEGETATION. 193 



large species of Tillandsia, Lycopodium rupestre. Anemia fiex- 

 uosa, Pteris palmata, Trylepsis Lhotskyana, and Brassavola 

 tuberculata, have taken up their abode. Where a little vege- 

 table mould has accumulated, Prescottia plantaginea, Gesnera 

 agnregata, Epidendrum ellipticum. Vanilla planifolia, the 

 lovely Vellozia Candida^ and its smaller, though not less beautiful 

 congener, Barbacenia purpurea, vegetate and bloom in the ut- 

 most luxuriance. Of the many species of Vellozia that exist in Bra- 

 zil, this is the only one found on the coast ; the others for the most 

 part inhabiting the mountains in the interior. It often forms a 

 bush from four feet to six feet high, and is a most beautiful object 

 when covered with its large white flowers, which very much re- 

 semble those of Lilium candidum. It has often been tried to be 

 taken to England alive, but witliout success. Plants of it, Iiow- 

 ever, which were raised from seed sent home by me, exist both at 

 Glasgow and Dublin, and may soon be expected to flower. Mr. 

 Murray, of Glasgow, has also raised many of the beautiful purple- 

 flowered species from seeds which I sent to him from the gold 

 and diamond districts ; but it seems to be a genus very impatient 

 of cultivation. Where the soil is deeper, there a natural shrub- 

 bery exists, consisting of several sorts of Pleroma and other 

 Melastoms, Myrtles, Lantanas, Crotons, Bignonias, Jaca- 

 randas, Oxalis Barrelieri, Clusia alba, and herbaceous Compo- 

 site flowers. Rising above these again are a few small trees of a 

 spiny species oi Bombax, Lecythis, and Cleome dendroides, with 

 large racemes of dark purple flowers. In similar situations, Cat- 

 tleya Forbesii is found abundantly, either on the ground or on the 

 branches of the trees, even tliose which overhang the sea. Here, 

 also, are found some beautiful species of Ahneidea, two or three 

 species of Capparis, Alsodeia physiphora, a large shrub belong- 

 ing to the Order of Violets, with panicles of small white flowers, 

 some beautiful climbers belonging to the Order of Malpighi- 

 worts, several species of Laurus, Cordia, Croton, Acacia, and 

 Mimosa. 



As in other countries, many curious plants are here found in 

 waste places, and by the roadsides, and the stranger from Europe 

 is not a little surprised to find that not a few of tliese are sucli 

 as are commonly cultivated in the hot-houses of his native coun- 

 tiy. Among these I may mention several fruticose Mallow- 

 worts, Asclepias curassavica, Leonotis nepetcEfolia, Loasa parvi- 

 Jlora, Buddlea brasiliensis, Kalanchoe brasiUensis, several Be- 

 gonias and Cleomes, Scoparia dulcis, Turnera cuneifolia, Stel- 

 laria media, Sonchus oleraceus, and several grasses and ferns ; 

 while, where there is moisture, the beautiful Dichorizandra 

 thyrsifiora throws up its thyrse of azure flowers, and various 

 Jussiaas and Melastoms may be seen unfolding their yellow and 



VOL. I. O 



