286 PER U. 
specimen of Peruvian nobility. Their supper was good, and they 
were permitted to lie on the clay floor, in the house. 
They paid the usual price for the accommodations. In the morning, 
before their departure, they purchased fifty oranges for twelve and a 
half cents (a real), it being stipulated, however, that they should be 
gathered by themselves. These served to refresh them while passing 
over the barren track (described in their ascent), of four leagues. 
They were overtaken by their Chilian friends, and the troop, when 
their minds were relieved of the apprehensions of robberies. 
Caballeros was reached at an early hour, and here they intended to 
have stopped on account of their horses, but their Chilian friends 
persuaded them to pursue their journey to Lima, promising to render 
them assistance, in case they should need it. At Caballeros they 
witnessed a fight between a turkey and a game-cock ; strife, indeed, 
appears to be a constant amusement with the Peruvians, and scenes 
of this kind seem alone to interest the public. After a long day's 
journey of twelve leagues, they reached Lima at eight o'clock, very 
much fatigued, and happy to return to the comforts of civilized life. 
The only novelty they met with during the day's ride was a 
Gnacho on horseback, carrying a pine board before him, a proof of 
the scarcity of such articles in Peru, and the value that is set upon 
them. 
This journey, although attended with much fatigue and some dis- 
appointment, from not having obtained their object entirely, that of 
reaching the wooded district of the eastern slope of the Andes, yet 
was very productive of results in the botanical department. 
The great difference of elevation, and the variation in climate con- 
sequent thereto, would lead one to expect a greater variety in the 
vegetation than was found. Forests were no where met with, nor 
were any of the palm tribe seen ; very few of the many tropical plants 
were perceived even on the coast. The smaller shrubs were seldom 
found, except in the lower region, where their limit is circumscribed 
to the well-watered district. Thickets are very rare, and in the 
higher regions appear to be altogether wanting. The vegetation of 
Peru on the whole is characterized by an air of tameness, indicating 
but a slight change of season, and has been classed into four distinct 
botanical regions, which are easily distinguished; they will claim 
particular attention, and afford much interesting matter, in the 
Botanical Report. 
