of an Orchid Hunter. 129 



and foliage plants, and is the principal resort of the 

 Colombian idler, the luxuriant sand-box trees forming 

 an ample shade. The centre of the park or plaza is 

 ornamented with a bronze statue of General Santander, 

 and the whole arrangement shows the greatest care 

 and good taste. On leaving this park we pass over 

 the first of fifteen bridges, which are all built inside the 

 city over two mountain streams, both of which rush 

 noisily through the principal streets. The business 

 houses are about half Colombian and half foreign ; 

 they are, as a rule, overflowing with merchandise, 

 drapery goods, and hardware. I believe almost any- 

 thing may be bought here that is to be found anywhere 

 else, although Bogota is seven hundred miles from the 

 sea-port, and nearly one hundred of this journey is 

 made over the Andes on mule-back ; yet the iron- 

 workers from Birmingham, the cotton - workers of 

 Manchester, Benson's watches, Taute's wearing ap- 

 parel, with Morton's hams and Peek Frean's bis- 

 cuits, all find a sure representative in Bogota, in spite 

 of the difficulties of mud and mosquitoes which are 

 thrown in the way of the traveller. The French, 

 German, and American houses are nowhere behind in 

 the market. The produce of the country is sold here 

 every day in a large enclosure set apart for this pur- 

 pose, called the Market, and this forms one of the 

 most complete collections of fruit and vegetables which 



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