194 NOTES OF A NATURALIST. 



Colorado, and led me to believe that a carriage road 

 extended as far as that point. The latter statement 

 ■was, however, disputed by several of my acquaintances 

 in Santiago, and the most various assertions were 

 made as to the distance and the time requisite for the 

 excursion. As it turned out, Mr. Mackenna, as he 

 generally is, was correctly informed. The road, as I 

 now learned, was in bad order, but quite passable for 

 a carriage ; and the distance could be accomplished in 

 'little over three hours. 



Having ordered a vehicle for the next morning, I 

 inquired for a man or a boy acquainted with the 

 neighbourhood of the town, who might serve as guide 

 and carry some of the traps with which a botanist is 

 usually encumbered. An ill-looking fellow, who 

 seemed to have been drinking heavily overnight, 

 soon made his appearance, and we started through a 

 long, dusty street, with only very few houses at wide 

 intervals, which led to the road by which I was to 

 travel on the following morning. Seeing the ground 

 near the town to be much inclosed, while on the 

 opposite side of the river a broad belt of flat stony 

 ground, partly covered with bushes and small trees, 

 gave better prospect to the botanist, I desired to be 

 conducted to the nearest bridge by which I might 

 cross the stream. When we reached the place it 

 appeared to be even a more rickety structure than 

 usual, requiring some care to avoid the numerous 

 holes in the basket-work which formed the floor. 

 Having ascertained that I meant to return the same 

 way, my guide proceeded to stretch himself on the 

 bank, where I found him fast asleep on my return. 



