48 MISSION OF COLLECTOR TO BRAZIL. 



low ground on either side of the railway, but have met with 

 nothing I had not seen before in the low grounds near Belem. 



July 3 Of A. — Returned to Quemeidos, to look through some of 

 the wooded hills to the north of the village. Met with No, 39 

 {Chamerantliennim Beyrichii), a plant with the leaves prettily 

 veined with silver. The plant occurs sometimes without the 

 silvery markings. Returned to Belem by evening train. 



July 31st, — Engaged in-doors in the morning; in the after- 

 noon had a ramble on the wooded hills overhanging Belem. 

 Among several species of what I suppose to be Dichorizandras 

 (although none of them are in flower) common in these woods, 

 occurs one (P. 7) with the leaves marked longitudinally on the 

 upper side with two broadish stripes of silver ; beneath, they are 

 of a deep purple. The plant is very pretty, and I think is worth 

 cultivation, but, unfortunately, I am not likely to be able to get 

 any seeds of it during my stay here- I have been considering 

 whether I ought not to send home a case with such tilings as I 

 can find here worthy of being so sent, and which I am not likely 

 to be able to send in any other way. 



Aug. 1st. — The railway was opened this morning to Macacos 

 for passenger traffic, and I went by the first train to examine the 

 Serra near that place. The main line of railway does not come 

 this way ; it strikes off to the ndrth a short distance from Belem, 

 where it also begins to ascend rapidly. The branch to Macacos 

 runs in a westerly direction, the village being situated at the 

 point where the old waggon road begins the ascent of the Serra. 

 After spending nearly the whole day in the thick forests of the 

 Serra without meeting with anything likely to hq of use, I came at 

 last upon the beautiful Melastomad, No. 40 {Bertolonia margari' 

 tacea). I have only seen two plants, one of which has the remains 

 of the flower-stem and a few three-cornered capsules still remain- 

 ing. It was late in the afternoon before I met with the plant, 

 and therefore have not had time to look whether there are any 

 more plants of it near the place where I found the two, but will 

 return to the forest as soon as possible, to look for more. Mean- 

 time, I think I will have a case made while in Bio, between the 

 arrival and departure of this mail. I hope to be able to send at 

 least one home with some things worth while. 



Aug, 7«/t.— Called at Mr. Miers's. Mr. M. offered to intro- 

 duce rae to Messrs. Hurst & Rossiter, the only nurserymen in 

 Eio, proposing to call at my hotel early to-morrow morning, to 

 accompany me to their place of business. 



