By Mr. Theodore Hartweg. 



127 



" Rancho del ojo de agua," the ascent became more steep, the 

 Oaks appearing in larger masses and taller trees, and covered with 

 several species of Tillandsia and a few Orcliidacecs . 



Having reached the " Cumbre " or highest point, there were some 

 stragglers of Pinus Russelliana or Devoniana, which in want of 

 cones I could not distinguish, and some stately trees of Abies reli- 

 giosa. The oaks were no longer clothed with Tillandsias and 

 Orchidacece, but their places were occupied by a brown moss 

 hanging gracefully down the branches in threads nearly three feet 

 long, which gives the trees a singular appearance. Cornus disci- 

 flora, Ceanothus azureus, Rubus trilobus with its large white flowers, 

 the pretty little Cuphea pubiflora and Melampodium mo nt a man 

 were found at that station, the elevation of which above the level 

 of the sea, must at least be 8,500 feet. In descending gradually 

 towards " La Parada " which is a kind of inn, the woods consist 

 chiefly of Pinus Teocote and Oaks. On the latter I found Odonto- 

 glossum nebulosum, Cattleya citrina and several other species. 

 After passing the bridge, " Puente de Gia," where I found Eche- 

 veria acutifolia, and the village of San Juan, the Oaks ceased 

 entirely, and were replaced by small Acacias and Bromeliacea*. 

 Orcludacece, although few in number, no longer cling to trees, but 

 seek their nourishment from the ground ; an instance of which is 

 Epidendrum falcatum with its thick leaves and brittle rhizoma, 

 which was growing most luxuriantly on a heap of loose stones and 

 perfuming the air towards evening with its large white flowers. 

 After descending from the village of San Juan to the Hacienda of 

 Santa Ana, and following the rivulet as far as the mine of Socorro, 

 I crossed a high ridge, where mining operations are carried on, 

 and arrived at the Hacienda del Carmen, an establishment for 

 reducing the silver ore. Carmen, or Castresana as it had for- 

 merly been called, is situate in a deep and narrow ravine, the 

 sides of which are well wooded with Pines and Oaks, the showy 

 Arctostaphylos nitida, Gaultheria hirtiflora, Vacciniam brachys- 



