410' TRINIDAD. 



Ferns. — We have a few tree-ferns, as I have already 

 mentioned ; but as they grow on the top of our highest momes, 

 they are not easily reached. Notwithstanding, the form of 

 ferns has here a large number of representatives, and in many 

 localities they add no inconsiderable charm to the refreshing 

 scenery of our valleys and ravines. 



Lilies. — Although we have a number of very elegant 

 pancratiums, crinums, and amaryllides, yet a South American 

 island is not exactly the spot in which a botanist would seek or 

 expect a rich assemblage of these plants. The only part where 

 the importance of this form is exhibited to any advantage is the 

 swamp near the savannah at the Cocal. 



Willows. — Not represented here. 



Myrtles. — In dry and somewhat sterile spots, we generally 

 meet with a peculiar vegetation, characterised by not very lar£ 

 trees, with slender branches, small leaves of a dark shining greei 

 and a roughness of the stem, owing to the shedding of th( 

 bark. These are myrtles. But the myrtle form does not posses 

 here that importance it assumes in higher latitudes, and in New 

 Holland. 



Melastomas. — If we are rather poor in myrtles, this deficiency 

 is compensated by the melastomacese, a form not very remote 

 from the preceding. The plants belonging to it are, generally, 

 shrubs or small trees, with dark green leaves, distinguishable by 

 very prominent longitudinal ribs. The flowers commonly form 

 large rich clusters, and are frequently very fragrant. They are 

 closely allied to the next class. 



Laurels. — This closes the list of forms as enumerated by 

 Von Humboldt. He adds to this form that tribe of plants to 

 which belong the mammee and the Matapalo of our forests — 

 distinguishable by a very fine foliage and large flowers, generally 

 fragrant. We are, therefore, induced to aggregate to them the 

 moronobea — one of the finest ornaments of our woods — the 

 different species of clusia, also the rose-apple tree, though an 

 exotic. 



There is one form of trees which Von Humboldt has omitted, 

 and which cannot fail to attract the notice of the least attentive, 

 as very peculiar and highly characteristic. I would call it the 

 Papaw form. 



Papayas. — A naked trunk, or branches, crowned by a cluster 



