35 



which are easily forded. We observed, that the 

 cecropia, which by the disposition of its 

 branches, and it's slender trunk, resembles the 

 port of the palm tree, is covered with leaves 

 more or less silvery, in proportion as the soil is 

 dry or moist. We saw some plants of it, the 

 leaf of which was on both sides entirely green*. 

 The roots of these trees are hid under tufts of 

 dorstenia, which flourishes only in humid and 

 shady places. In the midst of the forest, on 

 the banks of the Rio Cedeno, as well as on the 

 southern declivity of the Cocollar, we find, in 

 their wild state, papaw trees, and orange trees 

 with large and sweet fruit. These are probably 

 the remains of some conucos, or Indian planta- 

 tions ; for in those countries the orange tree 

 cannot be counted among the indigenous plants, 

 any more than the banana tree, the papaw tree, 

 maize, cassava, and so many other useful plants, 

 with the true country of which we are unac- 

 quainted, though they have accompanied man 

 in his migrations from the remotest times. 



When a traveller newly arrived from Europe 

 penetrates for the first time into the forests of 

 South America, nature presents herself to him 

 under an unexpected aspect. The objects that 



perez, with a habitation that is called Pie de la Cuesta ; the 

 Rio St. Juan ; &c. 



* Is not the cecropia concolor of Willdenouw a variety 

 of the cecropia peltata ? 



D 2 



