Selections. 



[NO. 3, 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 bark 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. 



