40 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. [VoL. XXXII. 
the lower plants were several tropical liverworts, among them 
Dendroceros, Symphyogyna, and Monoclea. 
The little town of Bath lies close to the base of the moun- 
tains, and, besides its ancient garden, is famed for its hot mineral 
baths. The town was formerly much more important than at 
present, and there are still some of the fine old trees left, 
planted by a former generation. Among these are grand 
specimens of the stately Oveodoxa oleracea, the finest of all the 
Jamaica palms. This tree, with its smooth, slender shaft a 
hundred feet in height and its crown of green plumes, is 
indeed one of the most beautiful of plants. 
As may be gathered from the foregoing sketch, the flora of 
Jamaica is extraordinarily rich and varied. The presence of 
high, abrupt mountains results in extremely different condi- 
tions both of temperature and moisture, and this is evident 
in the very divergent character of the plants of the different 
sections of the island. As we have seen, the prevailing vege- 
tation is distinctly tropical, and, as might be expected, related 
to that of the Central and South American mainland. Con- 
sidering the size of Jamaica the number of indigenous palms 
is surprising. Of the strictly American types of plants the 
Bromeliads are the most noticeable, although the Cacti, Agaves, 
and Yuccas are represented. The Bromeliads occur in nearly 
all parts of the island, and form an important factor in the rich 
epiphytic flora. One of the most characteristic sights is a large 
cotton tree (Eriodendron) with its great horizontal branches 
covered with a mass of epiphytes, conspicuous among which are 
many Tillandsias and other bromeliaceous forms. 
Of orchids the island has about sixty species, many of them 
epiphytes, most of which are not especially showy. Besides 
the Oncidium already mentioned, there are pretty Epidendrums, 
and an exceedingly brilliant little crimson species, Broughtonia 
sanguinea, Was common in several localities. Of the terrestrial 
orchids in flower the finest were two species of Bletia, recalling 
our own Calopogon, and a magnificent Phajus, which is said 
to have been introduced from Asia. 
The aroids are among the noticeable plants, many striking 
species being common. Several species of Philodendron are 
