146 QUININE 



a mild and equable climate, such as that suitable for coffee 

 and cacao trees, i.e. between 60 F. and 65 F. mean tempera- 

 ture. 



' When in good soil and under favourable conditions they 

 become great forest trees ; on higher elevations, and when 

 crowded or growing on rocky ground, they frequently run 

 up to a great height without a branch, and at the upper limit 

 of their zone they become mere shrubs.' They are evergreen 

 trees with bright green, shiny, laurel-like leaves ; but the 

 leaves have crimson veins. They bear large clusters of fragrant 

 flowers, rather like lilac, but generally roseate in colour. 



It was resolved to form three separate expeditions to the 

 Chinchona forests, the most difficult one to the Caravaya 

 region of Peru being undertaken by Sir Clements himself. 



He tells how they started from Islay, on the coast of Peru, 

 and then journeyed across the Andes to the eastern side of 

 Lake Titicaca. Their road lay across desolate plains, and 

 across snow-capped mountains, and down steep ravines, but 

 at last, after travelling for six weeks, they came upon their 

 first clump of Chinchona trees at an altitude of 5,400 feet. 



' I entered the Chinchona forests, travelling on foot, with 

 Weir the gardener and four young Indians carrying the food 

 in leather bags. All were faithful, active, steady young 

 fellows and good comrades, except one, who deserted with 

 a bag of toasted bread. Soon we came to the coca plantations, 

 then the volume of the rivers increased and they were difficult 

 to ford. At length we came upon the first Chinchona plant, 

 only a shrub at this elevation, 5,400 feet. It was on a grassy 

 slope, growing with other beautiful flowering shrubs. . . . 

 It was a great event. I gazed with feelings of delight at the 

 panicles of exquisite roseate flowers and the rich glossy 

 leaves with crimson veins of my first Chinchona. Pressing 

 onwards for several days ; and always descending, we reached 

 the forests in the valley of the river Tambopata.' 1 



They spent a fortnight in gathering plants, cutting their 

 way through dense forests, where no European had ever been 



1 Chinchona, by Sir Clements Markham. 



