240 \OYAGL IN SEARCH 



towiiids the fouth-cafi-, and foon reached the 

 brow of the mountain, when we difcovered 

 towards the weft fouth-weft, on the fea-fhore, 

 the great opening of the channel which runs 

 through the plain that we propofed to vilit. 



Shortly after we dcfcended into a valley, in 

 the midft of which rofe a charming infulated 

 grove that feemed planted by the hand of manj 

 but the flirubs grew here with fo much vigour 

 only becaufe they were in a pretty good foil, 

 and were befides moiftened by the waters which 

 fell from the neighbouring mountains. I made 

 at this place a great collection of plants, among 

 which was a new fpecies of fern of the 7nyrio- 

 theca genus, the largeft of which rofe to the 

 height of four meters, although their ftem did 

 not exceed a decimeter in circumference. 



Ongoing out of this thicket we faw, at the 

 diftance of three hundred yards below us, two 

 natives coming into the plain, the whole ex- 

 tent of which we now difcovered. They looked 

 at us, fiill however continuing their route, 

 notwithfianding the invitations which we made 

 them to come to us. One of them was carry- 

 ing on his flioulder, at the end of a flick, a 

 bafkct v.hich was filled doubtlefs with roots. 



We had now only a fcv/ hills to crofs in order 



to arrive at the plain, wiien fcvcral of our party 



being afraid that, fliould ve proceed any farther, 



3 ^e 



