MR. weir's journal. 787 



borne on the summits of the branches, while tlie habit of the plant 

 is singularly compact and regular. 



Another Melastomad, No. 243, which grows on the hills here, 



has very dark green foliage— blackish green I may say— with a 



tinge of purple. It is now in fruit, and I have collected a few 



seeds, as the species may be worth cultiratiou for its foliage. Tho 



Begonia I sent home a few plants of from the province of Rio 



Janeiro also grows here plentifully, and is now in flower; tho 



flowers are white and are produced in very large panicles* 



May iQth and I7th, — Engaged examining the forest, but found 

 nothing ne\Y, 



May 18th. — Went out to-day to the woods near the top of tho 

 Serra, where the Sophronitis grows most abundantly. This 

 pretty little species, growing on the small gnarled trees in the 

 opener parts, is now pretty dry, and I have ventured to collect 

 some of it to-day, which I think, when laid in the sun for a day 

 or two, before packing up, ought to reach England in good con- 

 dition.* 



May 20tJi. — Commenced collecting the variegated foliaged 

 Bromeliaceous plant. , This grows on trees, &e., in the swamps, 

 and is never found in the higher parts of the forest. The large 

 plants of it are very fine, and would be magnificent objects in a 

 conservatory ; but a single plant of the largest size would fill a 

 box 3 or 4 feet cube. 



L 



There is a Begonia common in the same situations. It climbs 

 the trees often to a height of 50 feet. The flower is scarlet and 

 pendent like those of B. fiiscJioldes, but I have not been able to 

 gather any of it, on account of its being so high. The plant often 

 grows in the vegetable matter accumulated on the trees. I will 

 send a few plants of this home ; some of them may reach alive. 



May 2lst. — Collecting the variegated Bromeliad. Found a 

 few plants of an epiphytal shrub with pinldsh- white flowers, 

 somewhat like those of a Digitalis in shape, and with purple spots 

 inside the coi'olla. I only saw one or two imperfect flowers, and 

 don't know that it will be worth cultivation ; but there can be no 

 harm in sending home a plant or two. 



May ^^nd to 29i/t- — Occupied in going to Santos with plants 

 to despatch to England, and returning to St. Pauls. 



May SOth. — Arrived in St. Paul's this afternoon. To-morrow 

 I intend going out to the hill called the Caballo Blanco, ftn,d to 



* It arrived in very good condition. 



