468 TRINIDAD. 



vicinity of cultivations at least their finer kinds. But in the 

 forests they occur at every step, displaying their graceful forms 

 and gorgeous hues. 



CASUARINAS. There are a few of these cultivated. 



PINES. We have no pines, except a few cultivated specimens, 

 stunted and miserable-looking, as if longing for " sweet home." 

 There is a ridiculous exhibition of them, in front of Trinity church, 

 Port-of- Spain. 



POTHOS AND AROIDS. We are very rich in this form, there 

 being all imaginable varieties of them. From the numerous 

 species of anthurium, growing like parasites on trees, various 

 species of caladium and others ; from the widely known and use- 

 ful mamure (Qarludovica) which furnishes the settlers with 

 natural twine and rope, down to the dumb- cane (Dieffenbuchia) 

 and smaller aroids growing on river-sides, together with the 

 curious cyclanthus all are equally interesting and attractive. 

 Tanias and seguines belong to this form. An interesting plant of 

 this class is the Montrichardia, the largest of all, covering our half- 

 salt, brackish swamps for miles : its seeds supply a sort of chesnut, 

 which certainly no one would have expected. 



LIANES. We have already had occasion to observe how rich 

 our forests are in this form the truly distinctive feature of the 

 tropical woods. A great number of families supply examples 

 the most prominent being bignonias, malpighiaceae, bauhinias 

 and dilleniacese : they assume all possible forms, sometimes being 

 twisted together like ropes, or flattened like tapes ; sometimes they 

 creep up the highest trees, thence to hang down in elegant 

 festoons, or coil around the stems, like giant serpents, attempting 

 to stifle their supporters. A few run along the ground, their 

 hooks and thorns catching or tearing the incautious hunter, who, 

 in return, has honoured them with the appellation of Boyaux- 

 Diable (devil' s-guts) and Crocs-chien (dog's-teeth). Others 

 hang a few feet only from the ground, in readiness to cut and 

 tear the clothes of the threader of their mazes. A great many, 

 on the other hand, supply, in case of need, as I have more 

 than once experienced during my rambles in our forests, an 

 abundance of fresh water of a deliciously cool and refreshing 

 quality. A large proportion of our lianes bear the finest flowers ; 

 I need only mention the bignonias, dolichos, norantea, the passion- 

 flowers and the securidaca. 



