JAN. — MAR. 1857.] Peruviati Bark-tree. 
213 
*' On the arrival of 77iajor domo with his cutters in the neighbour- 
hood of the part to be explored, he chooses a favourable site for 
his encampment, as near as possible to a spring or river. He con- 
structs a hut or slight house to shelter the provisions and the pro- 
duce of the cuttings ; and if he anticipates having to remain for 
some time in the same locality, he commences the cultivation 
maize and a few vegetables. Experience, indeed, has shown that 
an abundant supply of provisions is one of the most important con- 
ditions of success in this clasi^ of ifndertaking. The cascarilleros, 
during this time, are distributed through the forest, one by one, or 
in small parties, each carrying under a small cloak, and suspended 
at his back, provisions fbr several days, and the coverings which 
constitute his bed. In this way these poor beings have occasion to 
put in practice all their courage and patience in order that their 
work may prove fruitful. Obliged to have the hatchet or knife 
continually in his hand, to disembarrass himself of the numerous 
obstacles which arrest his progress, the cascarillero is exposed, from 
the nature of the circumstances by which he is surrounded, to an 
infinity of accidents which too often endanger his life. 
*' The cinchonas rarely constitute an entire forest, but form groups 
more or less compact, distributed in different parts of it. The 
Peruvians give these the name of manchas. In some cases, and 
most frequently, they grow separately. However this may be, it is 
in discovering them that the skill of the cascarillero is principally 
exerted. If the position be favourable, the tops of the trees first 
attract his notice ; a slight movement peculiar to the leaves of cer- 
tain species, a particular colour of the foliage, the aspect produced 
by a great mass of inflorescence, enable him to distinguish the cin- 
chonas from a great distance. Under other circumstances he con- 
fines his inspection to the trunks, of which the external layer of the 
bark, or enves as it is called, presents remarkable characters. Very 
frequently the dry leaves which he finds on the ground are suffici- 
ent to indicate to him the vicinity of the object of his search ; and 
if these indications have been brought there by the wind, he knows 
in what direction to look. An Indian, under these circumstances, 
is an interesting object for observation. Passing in and out through 
the narrow pathways of the forest, glancing through the foliage, 
