12b 



Notes of a Visit to Mexico, 



tachyum, Arbutus jalapensis, Lyonia ferruginea and Philadelphus 

 mexicanus. Ascending the steep sides on the right I arrived on 

 the " Monte Pelado " or bald mountain, so called from the upper 

 part being destitute of trees, which gives it a singular appearance 

 compared with the mountain ranges on the opposite side of the 

 ravine. Near " Las Cruces " on the ascent to the Monte Pelado 

 I observed some remarkably fine trees of Abies religiosa and 

 Pinus Ayacahuite, the latter measuring three to four feet in 

 diameter. Bordering on the limits of trees I found three plants, 

 remarkable for their geographical distribution ; they had previously 

 been known from other countries ; they are Chimaphila maculata, 

 Pyrola rotundifolia and Ottoa cenanihoides, the latter found by 

 Humboldt near Ibarra in the Andes of Quito. 



Having well examined the vegetation about Carmen, I ascended 

 the high ground at the back, crossed Llano verde and arrived at 

 the Indian village of Tanetze. The name of Llano verde (green 

 plain is given to the mountain intervening as far Tanetze, a distance 

 of eighteen miles, and is derived from a green swampy place in 

 the midst of the wood, measuring some twenty feet square. The 

 climate of Llano verde is termed by the natives " caliente humida," 

 or warm and damp, the temperature being about 70° Fahr. and 

 particularly adapted to the growth of Oncidium ornithorhynchum, 

 which I found there in great splendour. In the more elevated 

 parts Pinus apulccnsis, Tilia mexicana, Clethra mexicana, several 

 Lycopodiums, Pteris aquilinatwehe feet high, and Cyathea mexicana 

 were met with. Descending this ridge, several Melastomacece, Epi- 

 dendrum rhhophorum with its bright scarlet flowers, were growing 

 on the outskirts of the wood. From Tanetze I went over a broken 

 road to Tabaa where I found Befaria Icevis and discolor in full 

 flower, growing in company with Magnolia glauca, the flowers of 

 which are used by the religious Indians in decorating their places 

 of worship. Tabaa, being situate in " tierra caliente," or the warm 

 country, produces some fine Pine apples, Oranges ,Plantains, Sugar- 



