306 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 



stretched moistened strips of calico over the cases, 

 which seemed to answer admirably. As Mr. Cross 

 wished the plants to be firmly established in their 

 new residence before removing them from Agua- 

 catal, I determined to delay our departure until the 

 latest possible moment, that is to say, so as to 

 reach Guayaquil and fasten up the cases before the 

 arrival of the steamer on the 28th. 







After my arrival at Aguacatal the weather was 

 occasionally showery, but the rains were evidently 

 heavier towards the source of the river, which 

 would suddenly rise several feet, and then rapidly 

 lower again ; so that we had to watch our raft night 

 and day, lest on the one hand it should be carried 

 away by the floods or the onslaughts of driftwood, 

 or on the other hand should be left high and dry- 

 by the sudden receding of the waters. At 1 1 P.M. 

 of December 22, heavy rain came on at Aguacatal, 

 and did not cease until 9 A.M. of the following day, 

 when the river had risen much, and continued 

 rising through the day. The next night still 

 heavier rain fell, clearing off at about 8 A.M. of the 

 24th, which was the day fixed for starting on our 

 voyage. Our raftsmen were three in number as far 

 as to Bodegas, but thence to Guayaquil, where the 

 river is wider, and is therefore not subject to sudden 

 rises and falls, we needed only two. As soon 

 as the rain ceased, we got the glasses of the cases 

 put on board, and when our raftsmen had taken 

 their last trago with their friends, and said their 

 last adios (always a lengthy process), we left 

 Aguacatal ; Don Matias, at parting, foretelling us 

 a speedy but perilous voyage. 



