212 
Selections. 
[no. ^, NEW SERIES, 
selves in the midst of the forest. Without any compass but that in- 
telligence peculiar to man in a state of nature, they guide them- 
selves as unerringly in these labyrinths as if they were surrounded 
by an open horizon. But how often does it happen that those less 
experienced in this art lose themselves and are never more heard 
of ! 
" The only period which is not suited for the collection of cincho- 
na bark is the rainy season, which in duration corresponds in some 
respects with cur winter. If 'some .persons contend that the pe- 
riod of the ascension of the sap is the best for stripping the trees, 
their precepts are certainly not practically adopted, for even during 
the rainy season the collection of the bafk is only suspended on 
account of physical obstacles to its continuance. 
" The cutters are not generally engaged on their own account, but 
are mostly in the service of some merchant or small company. A 
confidential person is sent with them into the forests who is called 
the major domo* It is his duty to receive and examine the barks 
which are brought to him by the different parties in the forest, and 
to superintend the distribution of the provisions. 
" The first thing done by those who engage in this kind of specula- 
tion in a region previously unexplored is to have it examined by ex- 
perienced cascarilleros, who are called diestros or practicos. The 
duty of these is to penetrate the forests in different directions, and to 
ascertain to what points they may be profitably explored. They are 
expected to state whether there are any cinchonas, and in what 
quantity ; also to point out the direction in which the trees are to 
be found, and to report on the quality of specimens of the bark ob- 
tained. 
" This preliminary investigation is very important, and requires 
the possession of much sagacity, patience, and experience, in those 
■who are engaged in it. It is upon their report that the chances of 
success are calculated. If it be favourable, a road is immediately 
commenced up to the point which is to form the centre of the ope- 
rations ; and from this time all those parts of the forest adjacent 
to the road become provisionally the property of those who have 
formed it, and no other cascarilleros can work there. 
