394 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1926 
Macieiras is about 1,900 meters altitude and the grasses were north- 
ern or alpine genera, Agrostis, Calamagrostis, Danthonia, Bromus, 
and the like. 
About 7 in the morning we started up the mountain on horseback, 
and in less than an hour were above timberline. We passed glowing 
gardens of a big red Hippeastrum (an ally of Amaryllis), three or 
four flowers in a cluster, often all open; lovely meadows of an 
Erigeron that comes out white and turns rose pink, and masses of 
a yellow composite. At Itatiaia Alta, a great stretch of gentle 
slope, full of boulders and with great clumps of Cortaderia modesta, 
we left the horses near two tiny lakes. 
Above Itatiaia Alta the peak, called Agulhas Negras (the black 
needles), rises abruptly, composed below of steep, bare granite cliffs, 
deeply furrowed vertically. We climbed up the furrows on all 
fours and crossed from one series to another over steep slopes 
covered with a low bamboo (Chusquea pinifolia) most convenient 
to cling to. At the top of these furrowed cliffs is a great overhanging 
rock that seemed to stop all progress, but the way led through a 
crevice to one side and over and between boulders wedged in the 
crevice. The worst place was like a chimney flue, which we ascended 
with the help of a rope. 
The view from the summit was magnificent, mountains every- 
where, in all directions, from dark granite or green slopes near to 
wonderful blues in the distance. From under a cloud we looked out 
on the Minas side on mountains glowing in sunshine, as far as the 
eye could reach, like looking into the sunshine from under a vast 
parasol. 
At the summit was dwarfed Chusquea pinifolia, the only grass, a 
pink Owalis, a tiny cactus (L'piphyllanthus candidus), a little fern, 
bromeliads, an ericaceous plant resembling Gauwltheria with lovely 
pink flowers, two carices, and a composite. In wet mossy rocks 
coming down I collected Poa, Agrostis, and Bromus. 
Reaching Itatiaia Alta again an excellent hot meal awaited us by 
a clear cold streamlet—this was mountaineering de luxe. Here, 
above timberline, grasses were abundant. I made the return journey 
afoot, collecting as rapidly as possible, for night shuts down quickly 
in the Tropics. 
The next morning I started down afoot with my portfolio. The 
way was long and grasses many, so I had to walk and collect at 
top speed, reaching the Florestal just before dark with bulging 
portfolio, a big handkerchief tied around a bundle, and an armful 
besides. 
It rained hard during the night and in the morning the mountain 
tops were hidden by the mist, but the araucarias are at their best 
