5942 



Natural' History Collectors, 



other portions are open water- courses, either with or without water, 

 according to circumstances or seasons ; and, even in the more level 

 places, which are " few and far between," the stones seem placed 

 on purpose to puzzle the mules to know where to find a footing : the 

 ascent is frequently two feet in three: add to this a stone every 

 now and then, from 18 to 24 inches in height, to be ascended or de- 

 scended according to circumstances. The only wonder to me is how 

 the beasts ever managed to get over the road. 



The first day was for the greater part through magnificent forests, 

 the trees almost covered with orchids ; the second day the trees 

 became more stunted, and the orchids not noticeable, but almost every 

 hour produced some beautiful flower new to me ; the third day was 

 through almost barren mountains, at times presenting a view, on 

 looking up, of several hundred perpendicular feet of bare rock. I saw 

 but few birds and not any mammals en route. 



Cuenca, October 21, 1857. This time I have not much to say. 

 I am busy fixing up to join a merchant, who has promised to take me 

 with him (I say " promised," for, until the thing comes off, I have no 

 faith in anybody here) to Gualasio, about twenty-seven miles east- 

 ward from here, — a cane country. After a few days' stay in that 

 place, we are to proceed to Gualaquisa, about eighty miles further on 

 to the E.N.E., but on the eastern side of the Andes, — a Caskarilla 

 country, where I hope to meet with novelties. In this place I have 

 been exceedingly disappointed ; specimens of all kinds are scarce, — 

 species still scarcer. I have only obtained about thirty species of 

 birds, and these of no great account, although I have been out every 

 morning, weather permitting, and have hunted all round the town for 

 some four or five miles ; moreover, I believe 1 have nearly all the spe- 

 cies to be found here, at any rate at this season. I have only three or 

 four Mammalia. I have three or four genera of shells, but only two kinds 

 of which I could get any number. Insects are very, very scarce : all 

 this perhaps owing to the entire neighbourhood being cultivated. 



Louis Frazer. 



Note on Mr. Wallaces Travels. — It appears an object much to be desired by lovers 

 of Natural History thai (if possible) before Mr. A. R, Wallace returns homeward from 

 the Eastern Islands, where lie is so zealously pursuing his researches, his attention 

 should be directed to Siam. The Fauna of that country is at present quite unex- 

 plored, but there is, T think, reason to auiicipute that it will richly reward a close sci- 

 entific investigation. It is tlie native land of the (so-called) " white elephant," and it 

 possesses an extraordinary amphibious fish, which may be seen by persons passing on 



