126 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [AUGust 
scrub, which is composed of narrow-leaved acacias, eucalyptus, aid 
numerous Myrtacee of a gray-green color. To those who tire 0 
the gray-green of Italian olive groves, these narrow-leaved Myrtacet 
soon become monotonous, and the scanty shade shed by the sickle 
shaped vertical leaves of the eucalyptus makes little in the landscape 
that is restful to the eye. There are scarcely any islands in Sydne 
harbor, and its principal charm to a traveler lies in these innumerable 
coves which on either hand pop into view from the steamer. Theyat 
often filled with shipping, and the shores are being rapidly denuded 0! 
their forest and scrub vegetation, though many quiet pretty views tl 
remain. A botanist finds in the curious Proteacez, the most pecilli 
grass trees (Xanthorrhoea), and the endless variety of Myrtacee a host 
of forms which tickle his morphological sense with their novelty. 
Rio harbor, on the other hand, is like a large inland lake, wit 
numerous islands scattered through it, and surrounded by tall curious! 
rounded sugar-loaf hills. Islands, hills, and low-lying swampy shoe 
are covered with a wealth of tropical vegetation quite as luxuriant 8 
any to be seen directly under the equator. In place of the round 
gray-green of the hills of Sydney, Rio has dark imposing cliffs whic 
reach above the low-lying clouds. Their deep ravines and valleys . 
a tangle of creepers, bright purple flowered melastomas, proad-l “oe 
lilies, and innumerable epiphytic bromelias. Everything is steamins 
with moisture and the leaf tips are dripping with dew. ov 
The islands in the harbor, though very picturesque, lack o 
cocoanut palms and coral reefs, two features which give to the B® 
of the south seas their peculiar charm. The former lack could 3 
be remedied, but the brilliant white coral reef would be diff 
supply. : 
Rio is the most picturesque city in South America. The Portug® 
architecture is a great relief after the monotony of Spanish Ams 
cities, and no suburb in any city that I know is more charming” 
Botafogo, the residence portion of Rio. Each picturesque hee 
yellow or pink stucco, trimmed with colored Moorish tiles and 
with red tiling, is set in a half-neglected garden of tangled 
creepers, bamboos, ficus trees, and foliage plants. Although not 
taken care of as the American gardens of Honolulu, they are . 
numerous and picturesque. In fact, I do not believe there 30 
in the world where such an array of picturesque gardens a 
_ can be seen as here in Rio. 
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