THE WATER-VINE 27 



largest forest-trees did not appear to offer difficulties 

 which they could not overcome. If the trunk of the tree 

 they wanted to climb was of such dimensions that they 

 could not embrace it, they would choose some other tree 

 near by, and, passing from branch to branch like monkeys,, 

 they soon got to the place they had decided to reach. 



As we proceeded we found the ascent less arduous. 

 After the first 100 yards the gully widened out, nor was 

 it so precipitous as lower down. Although the incline 

 was still steep, we were able to stand up. Many stunted 

 trees like those of the lajas grew from between the crevices 

 in the rocks, but everything was greener. The rocks, 

 trunks, and branches of the trees were covered with beauti- 

 ful mosses and ferns nourished by the mist which crept 

 daily up the sides of the mountain and shrouded its summit. 

 A stately Sobralia grew in clumps in great profusion, 

 while in the glades we met with the same razor-grass 

 which had caused us so much inconvenience when we 

 crossed the three hills. The highest point of Turagua 

 is about 6000 feet above sea-level, and consists of one 

 huge block of granite nearly flat on top. Stunted moss- 

 covered trees overgrown with a scandent shrub formed 

 the vegetation of the plateau, which also supported a 

 dense growth of bromelias. The Indians pronounced the 

 scandent shrub to be the water- vine (Doliocarpus) , and as 

 we were exceedingly thirsty they cut pieces of from three 

 to four feet in length, which produced a small quantity 

 of clear water. It took quite a number of these pieces ta 

 quench our thirst. 



To get through the field of bromelias overgrowing 

 the plateau, it was necessary to cut a track through them. 

 Closely resembling the pineapple in its growth, the leaves 

 of this bromelia are arme:l with sharp spikes, and the 



