102 



DISTRIBUTION (fF PLANTS. 



Tropical analogies. The forest at Orange Harbor contained large 

 Ferns, growing in luxuriance ; and in one or two localities, the aspect 

 was rendered eminently Tropical, by the presence of a Gleichenia ; in 

 addition to the abundant intermingling of liymenoplnjllea} everywhere 

 among the wet mosses in the shade. In the open ground, the diminu- 

 tive Mijrtus belonged to a Tropical genus : and the CofFeacece were 

 present in Nertera, a genus, however, occurring between the Tropics 

 only on mountains. 



North American analogies. At this immense distance from home, 

 an Osmorliiza among the woodland plants unexpectedly brought North 

 America to mind : the accompanying Rihes contributed to heighten 

 the resemblance ; as also, the Agropyrum growing by the sea-side. 



European analogies. A European resemblance was barely dis- 

 tinguishable ; being traceable only, in the frequent occurrence of 

 Cicliorece, and in the presence of an Armeria. 



Boreal analogies. About one-half of the genera occurring at 

 Orange Harbor, will be observed to be common to wintry climates in 

 all parts of the Globe. But I was greatly surprised at the number of 

 species indistinguishable, as far as I could judge from memory, from 

 those growing in the extreme North : as, a Primula like P. farinosa, a 

 Galium like G. aparine, a Galium like G. trifidum, an Ainam like A. 

 graveolens, a Cardamine like C. hirsuta, the Stellaria dehilis of D'Ur- 

 ville, a Cerastium like C. lineare, a Carex like C. paupercula, an Aira 

 like A. fiexuosa, a Trisehim like T. subspicatum, besides certain other 

 grasses : but in some of these instances, a critical comparison of speci- 

 mens may probably bring to light specific differences. On the other 

 hand, the gen. Saginoid, though so much resembling, is in reality only 

 a counterpart to the Sagina procumbens of the extreme North. 



The continuous connection or prolongation upon the summits of 

 the Andes. Of the remaining and more characteristic genera, many 

 will be perceived to be such as occur throughout, along and upon the 

 whole range of the Andes. 



On the 2Gth of February, the Relief sailed from Orange Harbor; 

 and the wind being fair, we congratulated ourselves on the prospect of 

 reaching on the following day, the nearest Passage into the Straits of 

 Magellan. But during the night, the wind became adverse. 



On the 27th, and for several successive days, the Relief continued 

 beating against wind and current Westward along the coast : the 



