302 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



Amongst the herbaceous plants growing in such situa- 

 tions " the most beautiful are those belonging to the Gen- 

 tian tribe ; one of these, a species of Lisianthus, has large, 

 blue, bell-shaped blossoms, not unlike those of the Fox- 

 glove (Digitalis) in shape;" and towards the end of the 

 rainy season the fields are gaily adorned with two other 

 flowers of the same tribe, which are both species of Catto- 

 pisma. Amongst other field flowers there is a conspicu- 

 ous one with spikes of large rose-coloured blossoms, belong- 

 ing to the Orchis tribe (an Epistephium), which is a fine 

 plant, about two feet high. 



The trees on the upland campos are mostly small, con- 

 sisting chiefly of the beautiful Sicupira (Commilobium poly- 

 galaflorum}, of the Leguminous family, and with papiliona- 

 ceous flowers, and of several of the very curious family of 

 Vochysiacea (before mentioned in the last chapter), of which 

 it is difficult to convey any idea, as they are unlike any- 

 thing we are acquainted with in England; they are re- 

 markable for the beauty of their large, gaily- coloured, and 

 sweet-scented flowers. Perhaps one of the most beautiful 

 of them is the Salvertia convallariodora ; one of the divi- 

 sions of the calyx is spurred; the corolla is composed of 

 five petals, within which there is but one perfect stamen 



