304 THE BOCAGUA. 



high as St. Paul's, in the crevices of which grow many 

 small and slender Fan-palms (Thrinax), the plaited 

 fronds of one waving against the roots of its next 

 neighbour. It was now dry weather, but it is said that 

 when the seasonal rains have been particularly heavy, 

 a cataract pours down from the very summit of this 

 lofty rock, breaking into a cloud of mist and spray 

 before it reaches the distant river below. Surely this 

 must be a spectacle of wonderful sublimity ! 



The rocky sides of the ravine were profusely 

 fringed with the grass-like tufts of a Bromeliaceous 

 plant {Pitcairnia), displaying spikes of long scarlet 

 blossoms ; and as we approached the termination of 

 the gorge, a Bletia arrested my eye, agreeing in habit 

 with that of Bluefields mountain, but with blossoms 

 of a most rich and gorgeous purple hue. I secured 

 as many bulbs of this fine terrestrial Orchideous plant 

 as I could find, as well as roots of the Pitcairnia. 

 Near Spanish-town, a small shrub growing by the 

 road-side, displayed spikes of Verbena-like blossom 

 of bright violet, which afforded me some ripe seeds. 

 Thus terminated our very pleasant, and not unprofit- 

 able excursion. 



This romantic ravine received additional interest a 

 few days after our visit, by the occurrence there of a 

 bird of singular brilliancy of plumage, the Scarlet 

 Tanager {Pyranga rubra), which had never before 

 been noticed as an inhabitant of Jamaica. The fact 

 was communicated to me by Mr. Hill, after my re- 

 turn to Bluefields, in the following words. 



" You will learn with much interest, that on the 

 Thursday after we made our traverse from St. Thomas 



