XVIII 



CANELOS TO BAftOS 161 



the river was confined to a narrow gorge. Immedi- 

 ately below, it opened out into a deep basin where 

 the w r ater was so clear and green that one sees the 

 name of " Verde " has not been given to the river 

 without reason. Its course is down a steep valley 

 from north to south, and at its mouth it falls over 

 the barranco of the Pastasa in an unbroken cascade 

 of perhaps 200 feet high. 



We had obviously been ascending all day, and 

 when we came out on the open ground of the Rio 

 Verde, a cold, penetrating wind was blowing. Here 

 we found that the common plantain would no longer 

 bear the climate, though the small species called 

 Guineo was still flourishing. Oranges and sugar- 

 cane did not attain the size they did on the Amazon. 

 On the other hand, productions of cooler climates 

 began to make their appearance, such as potatoes 

 and zanahovias, which seem a sort of parsnip. 

 These are planted in far too small quantity to 

 suffice for the consumption of the people employed 

 in the hacienda, who being from the Sierra, their 

 food consists chiefly of potatoes, pea- meal, and 

 barley-meal. I was therefore disappointed in my 

 expectation of finding materials for a plentiful re- 

 fection for all my party, and with much difficulty 

 bought a few potatoes and zanahovias, and a small 

 quantity of barley-meal, besides a couple of bottles 

 of aguardiente for the Indians, who esteemed it 

 much more than the food. 



/it nc 30. Although at the Rio Verde I slept 

 under the shelter of a good roof, I suffered more 

 from cold than I had done in the forest, for a ml<l 

 wind came through the unfinished flooring and walls 

 of the upper story, where I had made my bed. 



VOL. II M 



