THE EQUATOKIAL ZONE. 803 



and one pistil. Two other species of the same beautiful 

 tribe grow in the same situations, Qualea grandiflora and 

 Q. parviflora ; besides Cecropias, a Panax, and many others, 

 amongst which are several kinds of Mimosa. 



The Mimosas however attain to a much larger size in the 

 forests at the base of the serras, where one species, called 

 Angica, is one of the largest of the trees. The pretty little 

 Marmoset monkeys carry on their frolics amongst its 

 branches, being attracted thither by a gum which this tree 

 secretes, and which is a favourite kind of food with them. 



There are some peculiarities and beauties in the vegeta- 

 tion of this part of Brazil, which are only revealed in the 

 darkness of the night. Being surprised by the sudden close 

 of day whilst wandering in the neighbourhood of some ele- 

 gant little dwarf Palms, and soon overtaken by darkness, 

 our attention is attracted by a bright phosphorescent light 

 of a pale greenish hue, which at first we of course suppose 

 to be emitted by fire-flies, but soon discover to be produced 

 by a phosphorescent kind of Fungus, of from one to two 

 inches and a half in diameter, which grows on the decaying 

 leaves of these Palms ; the Brazilians call it Flor do Coco. 

 " The light given out by a few of these Fungi in a dark 

 room is sufficient to read by." The species belongs to the 



