154 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



1. Bromeliacece. From the frequency on the Desert upland of tlie 

 above-described Tillandsia-beds. 



2. Lichens. Of the same color as the Tillandsias, and growing 

 chiefly intermingled with them, in beds upon the soil. In the latter 

 circumstance, and in their profusion agreeing unexpectedly with the 

 Lichen-covered districts of the extreme North. 



3. CompositcB. Presenting a very considerable variety of genera and 

 species; some growing on the Desert upland, and others in the infil- 

 trated lowland. 



4. Cactaceoi. Growing on the Desert upland; and more frequent, 

 and the species more numerous, towards the base of the Andes. 



5. GraminacecB. Both reeds and grasses, with hardly a real excep- 

 tion, confined to the infiltrated lowland. 



6. Leguminosce. Consisting of shrubs, herbaceous vines, and of 

 more humble plants ; most of the species growing in the infiltrated 

 lowland. 



7. Solanacece. Occurring in much variety both of genera and 

 species ; and nearly equally divided as to locality, one portion grow- 

 ing on the Desert upland, the remainder in the infiltrated low- 

 land. 



8. Malvacece. Occurring also in some variety. Sidas and Ahidilons 

 frequent in the infiltrated lowland. 



9. Verbenacece. The species belonging to four or five difierent 

 genera; but chiefly or altogether confined to the infiltrated lowland. 



Of remarkable plants, the three following deserve notice : Wigandia 

 urens, ten to fifteen feet high, herbaceous, but having the habit of 

 Hydrophyllum, and covered Avith coarse, stinging hairs; the Male- 

 sherhia, observed only at the Eastern margin of the Desert-region ; 

 and an ornamental, scarlet-flowered Aniirrkinmn ?, rather frequent 

 in the environs of Lima. 



Amid the universal tameness of the vegetable growth, the most 

 characteristic botanical feature seemed to be the frequency and variety 

 of Solanacece ; the species presenting nothing of the coarseness of the 

 Brazilian and other Tropical Solanums, but from marked differences 

 in habit and organic structure, probably belonging to several distinct 

 genera. Another striking botanical feature consisted in the Heliotro- 

 ])iums ; belonging to a peculiar tribe, eminently Peruvian, and several 

 of the species becoming low shrubs. 



The Nolanacece constituted a third botanical feature ; characteristic, 



