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are secnrely fenced in by close growths of tlie arborescent columnar 

 cactus, fCereus erio2)Jionus;J other cactuses are also frequent, including 

 several scandent species, intertwined among the dense thickets of 

 Acacia^ and other thorny shrubbery, and especially conspicuous, with 

 its bright pink blossoms, the Opuntia eoccinellifera, on which the coch- 

 ineal insect feeds. 



Further in the interior, the Cacti give place to shrubbery of different 

 kinds; an attractive feature in the cultivated landscape being presented 

 in clumps of lignumvitiTe, (Guiacum officinale J now showy with a, pro- 

 fusion of bright blue flowers, which form a j)leasing contrast with its 

 deep, glossy green foliage. 



Entering among the foot-hills of the mountain range, the road winds at 

 the foot of rocky spurs overlooking the bed of a clear mountain stream, 

 ■which is frequently crossed by substantial bridges built of arched 

 masonry. The shrubbery occupying the steep rocky slopes is of a 

 varied character, conspicuous among which are the large orange-colored 

 panicles of the Agave AntUlarum^ now in full flower. 



At a distance of nine miles from Kingston the smooth wagon-road is 

 exchanged for a rude mountain trail. In making the ascent frequent 

 small settlements are passed on either hand, the country generally 

 presenting an arid aspect, its native timber-growth having been long 

 since destroyed. The cultivation is here mainly confined to small 

 patches of cofi'ee, now just forming its fruit ; while in the vicinity of 

 rudely thatched houses we invariably meet with i3lantains, yams, and 

 occasional orange or mango groves. 



Passing the settlement known as GuavaEidge, by dint of industrious 

 questioning 1 was enabled, out of a confused maze of mountain trails, to 

 select the one leading to what is generally known as the " Quinine Gar- 

 dens." After crossing a considerable mountain valley, whose water- 

 course now, in the height of the dry season, is contracted to a small 

 brook, but showing in its wide pebbly bed the high-water mark of the 

 rainy season, the road commences at once the steep ascent of the prin- 

 cipal mountain ridge towering far above. By a succession of sharp zig- 

 zags the ascent is gradually effected, the increasing elevation being 

 plainly shown not only by the extended views, but also by a marked 

 change in the character of the vegetation. Here wild roses, mountain 

 blackberries, and ordinary white clover take the jilace of the more 

 ordinary tropical forms which everywhere border the roadsides at lower 

 elevations. 



At an elevation of 4,000 feet above the sea a marked coolness of the 

 atmosphere is experienced, accompanied by frequent showers and fogs 

 throughout the season. Above this point the profitable cultivation of 

 coffee ceases, though plants can be grown up to 5,000 feet; here north- 

 ern fruits and vegetables flourish and produce abundantly, the winter 

 season barely sufficing to check ordinary growth, the temperature rang- 

 ing from 40° to 75° Fahrenheit through the entire year. 



On this mountain eyrie, at an elevation of over 5,000 feet above the 

 sea, and commanding an extensive view of the adjoining lowlands and 

 the distant ocean, is located the ])ermanent residence of Mr. R. Thom- 

 son, the superintendent of the Cinchona plantations, a truly enviable 

 locatitm for a botanist, and worthily occupied by Mr. T. and his hos 

 pitable family. 



Refreshed by a comfortable night's rest after the fatigues of the pre- 

 vious day's journey, in company with Mr. Thomson 1 made an early 

 start to the Cinchona grounds. The path led along the edge of a steep 



