PROFESSOR SMITH'S JOURNAL. 241 



branches, and the fruit (Calbufera?) hangino- on long 

 stalks. Though destitute of leaves, the sight of such a tree 

 made an agreeable impression, and the fruit 1 found to be 

 refreshing. In the upper part of the valley luxuriant 

 thickets of Jatropha ciircas, and thorny Zizijphi, covered 

 with ripe and somewhat acid fruit, \'ere found orouins!'. 

 After these followed lol't}^ fig trees, Annome, with ripe fruit, 

 &c. Our first stay was at a hut on the border of the v.dley, 

 where we refreshed ourselves with delicious goat's milk. 

 The scenery became more and more delightful. Shadowy 

 niimosae, oranges and fig-trees increase in number. A mul- 

 titude of small FriugUUc, an Alceclo with tropical plumage, 

 and many other birds tluttered about us. The valley con- 

 tinued to expand itself. New plants occurred in quick 

 succession, and different kinds of cultivated trees became 

 more and more frequent. For the first time w^e discovered 

 a whole thicket of Co.ss/o fistula with ripe fruit, and for the 

 first time had Tudor the striking sight of Bahanas, Cactus 

 opuntui, &c. Of all the plants I have hitherto seen, none 

 appeared more interesting to me than Asclepias procera, 

 which here grows half wild like the shrubs in a thicket. 



All at once we were called from out of the valley by 

 Tudor. It seemed that our guide, John Corea, had no 

 great inclination of venturing too far, without partaking 

 of some refreshment, and that he had discovered a conve- 

 nient spot for us to eat our dinner. A fowl, with the root 

 of cassava and some eggs, supplied us with a very good 

 meal. While it was preparing, we took a ramble up the 

 rising ground to the westward; afterwards, having finished 



li 



