jan. — mar. 1857.] Peruvian Bark-tree, 



213 



" On tae arrival of major 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 of 

 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 class of undertaking. 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 for 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 mctnckas. 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, 



