By Mr. Theodore Hartweg. 



129 



cane, Cherimoyers and Coffee. Descending towards Santa Ger- 

 trudes I found a small bean, the seeds of which resemble those of 

 Abrus precatorius, and are said to be employed with success against 

 the bite of the little venomous spider called Chiatatlahua. 



Passing over the steep ascent of the Cuesta de mata Hombre 

 I found some Orcliidacece which had previously been seen near 

 Taba; the woods consisted of a variety of Pines and Oaks. Descend- 

 ing towards the river Tabaa luxuriant vegetation gradually disap- 

 pears, and the arid soil only produces stunted Mimosas, Agaves, tall 

 Cerei, and a few straggling specimens of Cyrtopodium punctatum. 

 The same vegetation continues ascending the other side towards 

 Villa-alta. From the latter place to Tonaguia, the road leads 

 through many ravines, and the vegetation is similar to that of 

 Tabaa. The inkplant, " Xuquilite," Justicia atramentaria, was 

 pointed out to me here as a great curiosity. To produce the ink 

 the foliage and young shoots are enveloped in large leaves, such as 

 those of Plantains, and are gently heated over the fire for a few 

 minutes, after which a black fluid is expressed from them, and 

 used instead of ink. Its chief use with the Indians, near whose 

 houses some plants are generally to be met with, is in a diluted 

 state, to give their linen a blueish appearance. I never found the 

 plant wild; in its cultivated state it forms a compact erect shrub 

 three feet high. 



Towards Comaltepeque, species of Arum, Pothos, and Heli- 

 conia, indicating a true tropical climate, make their appearance, 

 the Mammee trees are covered with a variety of Orcliidacece and 

 Tillandsias, and, such is the fertility of the soil, assisted by a con- 

 stant heavy dew and mist, that three crops of Indian corn are ob- 

 tained on the same piece of ground in one year. 



Between Comaltepeque and Ciioapan the mountains are partly 

 destitute of trees ; woods of deciduous Oaks still occur, and trees 

 of Pinus oocarpa which latter seems to enjoy a high temperature. 



Near Roabela, pine apples were growing wild along the road ; 



