312 THE GAPO. 



often more numerous than in other parts. This is the region 

 where the cacao-tree and prickly sarsaparilla grow. Here the 

 underwood is less dense, the sipos retiring to weave their 

 tracery among the upper branches alone. Though during the 

 dry season the vegetation springs up with wonderful rapidity, 

 it is swept away by the next overflow. 



Here the lovely orchis tribe adorn the gloomy shades with 

 their brilliant flowers. Among the most beautiful is the onci- 

 dium, of a yellow hue, often seen apparently suspended in air 

 between the stems of two trees shining in the gloom, as if its 

 petals were of gold. In reality it grows at the end of a wire- 

 like stalk a yard and a half long, springing from a cluster of 

 thick leaves on the bark of a tree ; others have white and 

 spotted blossoms, growing sometimes on rotten logs floating 

 on the water, or on moss and decayed bark just above it. Still 

 more magnificent is the Flor de Santa Ana, of a brilliant 

 purple colour, emitting a most delicious odour. 



Peculiar and strange is this region of the Gapo. When the 

 waters are at their height it can be traversed in all directions. 

 The trees which grow on it, and the animals which here have 

 their abodes, appear to differ from those of other districts. 



Let us accompany the naturalist Wallace, in his canoe, 

 through a district of this description ; now forcing our way 

 under branches and among dense bushes, till we get into a 

 part where the trees are loftier and a deep gloom prevails. 

 Here the lowest branches of the trees are level with the sur- 

 face of the water, many of them putting forth flowers. As 

 we proceed we sometimes come to a grove of small palms, the 

 leaves being now only a few feet above us. Among them is 

 the maraja, bearing bunches of agreeable fruit, which, as we 

 pass, the Indians cut off with their long knives. Sometimes 



