116 



Notes of a Visit to Mexico, 



given up all hope, considering the elevation I had attained, appeared 

 here in the greatest abundance ; the oaks actually seemed to groan 

 under their weight ; Maxillaria densa and tenuifolia, forming fes- 

 toons and hanging gracefully over the branches they were grow- 

 ing on, seemed to strive with the larger species of Tillandsia for 

 their existence. It was here I met with the beautiful and new Cyrto- 

 chilum macula turn, and the varieties of it now become so common. 

 In the ravines or rocks I found Maxillaria aromatica, Epidendrum 

 seriatum, equitans, umbellatum, fuscatum, cochleatum (this latter 

 with nearly all its varieties), and Acr opera Loddigesii. In the 

 more exposed situations, particularly on trees overhanging the per- 

 pendicular sides of the ravines, Stelis ciliaris, Dinema polybulbon, 

 Isochilus linearis, Polystachya luteola, and the little plant that 

 now bears my name ( Hartwegia purpurea ) were common. The 

 first plant of Brassavola glauca I met with was on a Coccoloba, in 

 a wood descending to the savannah ; but I afterwards found it on 

 oaks in abundance near this station. To grow this plant, as well 

 as Hartwegia purpurea, to perfection, I would recommend a tem- 

 perature of 65-70° of Fahr., and to be kept in the driest part of the 

 stove. The same treatment may be applied to the thick-leaved 

 Epidendrums and Oncidiums. Near the same locality I found Ber- 

 beris tenuifolia, forming a shrub 10 to 12 feet high, and at the time 

 covered with its black berries on spikes more than a foot in length. 

 In the more open places, among grass, the Cebadilla, or Asagrcea 

 officinalis was ripening its seeds on a stem four feet high ; 

 the roots, leaves, and particularly the seeds of this plant are used 

 by the muleteers, in a state of fine powder, for killing the maggots 

 in the wounds of their beasts, and occasionally an infusion of it is 

 used in extirpating certain vermin which may be found on the 

 heads of the lower class; but its employment is not so general as 

 the occasion for it. The seeds of the Cebadilla form an article of 

 export in Vera Cruz ; but judging from its low price (six shillings 

 for 25 lbs.) it seems to be in little demand, and scarcely pays the 



