ISO THE ADVENTURES OF 



hedges of orchids, of which beautiful race Mexico possesses 

 hundreds of species ; we stopped at nearly every step to admire 

 some of these curiously shaped, brilliantly coloured, but often 

 scentless flowers. L'Encuerado pointed out many plants of the 

 lynx flower, called by the Indians the serpent flower, the fine 

 petals of which are dotted with yellow spots and marbled with 

 pink, violet, and white. Farther on, another flower, the 

 tiger-lily, reminded us by its colour of the animal from 

 which it takes its name. Plucking, as he went along, Lucien 

 became possessor of such a bouquet as the richest gardens could 

 not furnish. Of course he wanted to know the names of all, but 

 he was obliged to be content with learning that, with the 

 exception of the vanilla plant, the brilliant legion of orchids 

 furnishes nothing utilised in the arts or industrial skill. 



We had just reached the foot of the mountain, when an im- 

 mense mass of stones obliged us to turn aside. I took the lead, 

 and an involuntary slip brought me unexpectedly to a cave. My 

 companions came running up in answer to my call ; I took 

 three or four steps into the entrance, and immediately made up 

 my mind, from its thorough adaptability, to shelter there for the 

 night. Whilst I, helped by Lucien, was collecting some wood, 

 I'Encuerado cleared the ground, and Sumichrast cut down two 

 or three shrubs which impeded the view. I then ordered the 

 Indian to light the fire, which would assist us to reconnoitre the 

 entrance to the cavern ; which, being done, it was necessary for 

 us to go in search of game for our dinner. 



Looking from the plain, I could well judge of the feat we had ac- 

 complished in our descent. Up to the level of the cave there were 

 shrubs and brush-wood. Higher up, orchids with their bright 

 flowers and opal-green leaves ; higher still, rose a perpendicular 

 and almost smooth rampart, utterly impassable except through 

 the fissure which had afi'orded us egress. Sumichrast guided us 

 through the thicket where the frangipanni-plants, covered with 

 their sweet-scented flowers, predominated, announcing our approach 

 into the Terre-Chaude, and of a completely altered nature of vegeta- 

 tion. Soon an immense mahogany tree, Swietenia mahogoni, with 

 its thick boughs and dark-green foliage, rose before us ; a little 



