28 
seen sparingly in groups on accumulations of humus on the large 
bowlders in and along the stream which suddenly broke through 
a chasm of the range forming the eastern boundary of this valley. 
The road upon which we traveled had been a well-constructed 
one but now was in a bad condition, apparently after many years 
forest, the predominating element being a beech-like tree be- 
longing to the genus Almus. On reaching the top of the ridge, 
was a species of Rubus with avcune “eats tw o fifteen feet 
long reaching out over the roadway. It had en appearance of 
our northern blackberry with the fruit of a black cap raspberry 
an as ovelty very much appreciated, it being the first 
South American fruit that I had encoun t is, however, 
very much inferior to our own raspberry, baying an insipid taste 
and a mulberry-like flavor. The people called it “murus.’ s 
we neared the base of the hill I saw the first specimens of Rhip- 
salis, but they were aggravatingly high and could not be col- 
lected. Having finally reached the plain, the road continued for 
Pp 
tiresome ride through increasing cultivation which, as we neared 
the town, consisted of sugar plantations, Concepcion was reached 
