ZONES OF VEGETATION. ^ 31 



and graceful bamboos, deep rooted in the rocks, and 

 apparently coeval with the rocks themselves, rise 

 bold groups of noble and majestic trees, lofty palms 

 and cedars, varied with the lana de ceibo, a high 

 and tufted tree, covered during summer with \vhite 

 blossoms, and in autumn with pods that open and 

 throw out their cottony contents, which often hang 

 in elegant festoons from branch to branch. This 

 cotton is softer and more delicate than even that of 

 Coromandel, and, should a method be discovered of 

 manufacturing it for articles of dress, it might rather 

 be called silk than cotton. For mattresses it has 

 undoubtedly no equal, both with regard to softness 

 and elasticity. 



Three zones of vegetables extend far up the 

 majestic sides of the vast Cordilleras. The valleys, 

 or gunga, as they are termed, signifying dry plains, 

 produce plantains, quirieos, quiney pepper, and 

 cherimoyas, with different roots, esculents, and fruit- 

 trees in great abundance. Higher up grow pears 

 and peaches, nectarines and quaitambos, apricots and 

 melons, orange, limes, and citrons, of the finest 

 flavour. Another zone of plants succeeds, present- 

 ing a most beautiful appearance, and yielding Peru- 

 vian strawberries, that carpet the earth with their 

 broad leaves and white saucer-shaped blossoms, 

 varied with rich scarlet fruit. For here the seasons 

 succeed not one the other as with us ; but buds and 

 blossoms appear in mingled beauty, while rising 

 from this carpet of nature's making. Apple-trees of 

 luxuriant growth are covered with fruits and blos- 

 soms throughout the year. 



While this luxuriant vegetation adorns the lower 



