CAPE SAN ANTONIO 193 



the branches of the greater trees. Among the 

 epiphytes, great quantities of bromeliads, in 

 particular, Pitcairnias and Catopsis, fasten upon 

 the branches. Many tillandsias, with unusually 

 narrow leaves, festoon the limbs of the larger trees. 

 We observed also several of the ^Echmeas, with 

 broad strap-shaped leaves, clinging to the tree 

 trunks. Orchids were here exceedingly abundant, 

 both as to species and individuals but few were in 

 bloom — one, however, an Epidendrum with yellow 

 and orange brown, and another with purplish, flow- 

 ers, were noted. We took many specimens of 

 Oncidium with thick heavy leaves — Brassavolas, 

 Crytopodium, and Brassia. One unknown orchid, 

 high up upon the branches of a great tree, had hung 

 out some lavender lamps that shone faintly and 

 about which many butterflies and a tiny little 

 humming-bird hovered. Some flowering shrubs 

 illumine the edges of the forest, especially along 

 the clearing for the track, but within its shade few 

 patches of color relieve the somber green of the 

 denser jungle. 



The endless variety of leaf form is most bewilder- 

 ing. Huge thick fleshy leaves of very dark green 



stand out from the confused mass giving one a 

 13 



