The region is a goverrjnent reserve like our n-ntional parks. We starred 
over night et the station, ree cbed by a steep climb on horseback. As we vrent 
up through the tropical forest next morning I was thrilled by seeing a troop 
of ruoai^cys— most graceful beautiful things. Great l^cy raises of hanging: bam- 
boos bordered the trail and other lovely grasses clambered over the briishor 
peeked out below. ?fe stopped at a mud hut rest Ijouse just below tjmber line and 
I collected a great pressfiol before dark. This Wf^s only about 6500 ft. altitude 
and midsummer^ but it was bitterly cold during the night. ?/ith dry stockings, 
felt slippers and all my clothes, wrapped in a heavy blanket I lay and shivered 
and thought about the torrid zone of school geography. At dawn Dona liaria and I 
climbed the hill to see the sun rise over the mountains. About 7 we started 
up the mountain on horseback and were soon above timber line. The mountain ^ 
slopes were gorgeous with red iimaryllia and tall pink and white flowers much like 
our daisy and mousses of yellow^ tnd best of all numberless grasses. left 
the horses and with two men climbed the peak, exceedinpiydif f icult but well worth 
the effort, both for the view and for the quantities of grasses I got. I made the 
return journey afoot, not reaching the hut till dark and with all I could possibly 
carry, and the next day again on foot, re aching the station after dark aiid working 
till midnight by candle light getting my plants in press. Oh but e bed felt 
good that night , Of course, it had rained most of the time, it elwavs does 
in the high mountains. Hext raorning 1 v;&lked to the railway and we took the trein 
fcr Rio, happy and dirty, a M .weary. 
