96 NOTES OF A BOTANIST CHAP. 



we can well understand the difficulties of the ascent 

 of such a mountain through many miles of tropical 

 forest, among deep ravines and impassable gorges, 

 along a track used only by Indians crossing the 

 mountains to a good fishing stream which Hows 

 directly into the Huallaga, as described at p. 40.) 



In July 1856, Spruce went for a month to Lamas 

 and Tabalosos, making the latter place his head- 

 quarters for the exploration of the eastern slopes 

 of the Campana Mountains, where, at about 4000 

 feet elevation, is a natural pasture called Potrelo, 

 " around which is low forest with many interesting 

 flowering plants, palms, tree - ferns, ferns, and 

 mosses." The position of Tabalosos is picturesque, 

 being situated in the midst of mountains. On the 

 opposite side of the Mayo (to the N. and N.E.) 

 there is a very bold and lofty peak, at no great 

 distance, whose rocky slope seems to be nearly 

 perpendicular. Those who go from Yurimaguas 

 to Moyobamba by way of Balsapuerto have this 

 peak on their left. The inhabitants are nearly all 

 Indians, with very few half-breeds. Hardly any 

 speak Spanish. They grow large quantities of 

 vegetables, and are much employed as carriers on 

 the route from Tarapoto to Moyobamba. 



(The drawing here given of the rude clock-tower 

 of Tabalosos shows this remarkable mountain im- 

 mediately to the left of it, and nearly in the centre 

 of the picture, while the Indian ringing the two 

 very small bells gives life and character to the scene.) 



From the summit of the Pingulla mountain there 

 is a splendid view of the whole lower course of the 

 Mayo, with Lamas, Tarapoto, and all its surrounding 

 mountains, to Chapaja on the Huallaga river. 



