OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 



25 



and direct testimony, there seems hardly a distinction of seasons in 

 this part of BraziL Flowers and fruit were usually seen side by side 

 upon branches of the same plant; but during our six weeks' stay, 

 we witnessed something of the successive dominance of different 

 kinds of showy flowers, spoken of by residents. In the trees gene- 

 rally, so far as I had the opportunity of examining, the annual con- 

 centric rings of growth were hardly if at all distinguishable ; showing 

 that the vegetative process is never periodically checked. 



On entering the woods, the most striking point of difference from 

 the North is, that the forest-trees bear gaudy flowers, various in hue 

 according to their kinds, but over all the rest yellow predominating. 

 In the distance, yellow alone was conspicuous, covering tree-tops, as 

 those of Lecijtliift, Caisalpinia, VocIi//sia, and Cassia ; and lower down, 

 profusely intermingled on the shrubs and woody vines, from the great 

 abundance of Bignonias and MaJpighiaceai. The foliage is everywhere 

 perennial, not so freshly green as our spring foliage in the North; nor 

 with the season losing its freshness ; but throughout the year main- 

 taining a sober aspect of perpetual youth. 



From the first, Mr. Brackenridge remarked the absence of " social 

 plants," of stocks of the same species growing in beds and patches. 

 The plants were all growing separately, each stock surrounded and 

 entangled among other plants of the most diverse affinities; and every 

 new locality presenting species not before met with. Such was the 

 intermingling at every turn, that in the whole course of my experi- 

 ence in different parts of the globe, only in Brazil was I unable to 

 point out prevailing species of plants. 



It is true, the local circumstances favor the presence of the greatest 

 variety of species within a given space. The face of the country 

 is broken into mountains of inferior elevation, and abounds in inac- 

 cessible spots, any one of which may afford a species extremely rare 

 elsewhere. There is besides great uniformity in the leaves ; and the 

 plants being mostly woody, the eye of the observer is usually below the 

 objects of his search. Certain kinds of trees and woody vines come 

 into flower only after an interval of several years, and then perhaps 

 are by no means conspicuous. So that in view of these and other 

 considerations, the environs of Rio Janeiro may long continue to afford 

 accessions to the known species of plants. 



For some miles around the city, the modifying hand of man is 

 everywhere manifest, and if at first the woods seemed entirely wild. 



