496 



potheses too easily admitted, I do not engage to 

 substitute others more satisfactory in their place. 

 I am rather inclined to think, that these pro- 

 blems cannot be solved ; and that the task of the 

 philosopher is fulfilled, when he has indicated 

 the laws, according to which nature has distri- 

 buted vegetable forms. 



It is now said, that a mountain is high enough 

 to enter into the limits of the rhododendrons, 

 and the befarias, as it has long been said, that 

 such a mountain reached the limit of perpetual 

 snows. In using this expression it is tacitly 

 admitted, that under the influence of certain 

 temperatures certain vegetable forms must ne- 

 cessarily be developed. Such a supposition 

 however, taken in all it's generality, is not 

 strictly accurate. The pines of Mexico are 

 wanting on the Cordilleras of Peru. The Silla of 

 Caraccas is not covered with those oaks, which 

 flourish in New Grenada at the same height. 

 Identity of forms indicates an analogy in the 

 climate ; but under similar climates the species 

 may be singularly diversified. 



The charming rhododendron of the Andes, the 

 befaria, was first described by Mr. Mutis, who 

 observed it near Pamplona and Santa Fe de 

 Bogota, in the fourth and seventh degree of 

 north latitude. It was so little known before 

 our expedition to the Silla, that it was scarcely 

 to be found in any herbal in Europe. The 



