590 MR. weir's journal. 



petals are very pale purple, tlie latter almost white, the lip is 

 also pale purple, the throat white, and with a broad crimson stam 

 on the spreading part, the edge of which is pure white. The 

 leaves of the plant are ribhed, and it grows about 15 inches high ; 

 the roots are about the thickness of a quill, and are very brittle. 

 I looked anxiously for more plants of this, bat without success. 



I collected also a specimen of No. 200, an Oncidium. This 

 grew on the ground in a thicket on a wet part of the campo ; 

 No. 201, a melastomaceous plant, also grows on wettish places; 

 No. 203, a {Nesa:a sp^ shrub with white flowers, grows plenti- 

 fully on the dry parts. This plant is very showy, but its petals 

 are very delicate and are now much damaged by the rain ; it 

 grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet, and is an abundant bloomer. 

 If not already in cultivation, it is worth sending home. 



Feb. 21si. — Very wet. I am sorry to see the weather con- 

 tinue so unfavourable ; if the rain continues much longer I shall 

 not be able to collect the Orchids I intended to send home in time 

 for the April packet. 



Feb. ^2niL — Weather a little better. Went out to the campo 

 to look for more plants of No. 199, but after a long search I 

 retunaed unsuccessful. Collected specimens of No. 203, a splendid 

 melastomac-eftul;' shrub {Lasiandra sj).\ which grows plentifully 

 in parts of the campo along with No. 201. It is perhaps already 

 in cultivation, and is worthy of all attention. Of Nos. 204 and 

 205 collected specimens also ; the former is a shrubby Bignoniad, 

 with a half-trailing habit; the latter a straggling leguminous 

 shrub [Cassia »p.), with yellow flowers. Packed up ready to 

 start to-morrow morning for Capellinha da Serra. 



Feb. 23r£Z. — A very wet day; could not start, especially as my 

 camarada is not yet quite well, and getting wet might make him 

 worse. 



Feb. Qith. — Left Brotas early in the morning. Reached 



Capellinha da Serra in the afternoon. I remain here a day to 

 collect some plants, seeds, &c. 



Feb. ^5th, — Collected a few seeds of No. 154, but it is no easy 



matter to get them perfectly ripe, as the capsules split and shed 



them all as soon as they are at maturity. I hope the few I have 



got will grow, as this is a very pretty little plant. No. 152, which 



also grows here, seems to set very little fruit. I examined many 



plants to-day, and only saw two capsules among the vhole; they 



will require a couple of months at least to ripen. Collected in 



the afternoon a quantity of the striped-leaved Orchid I met with 



