XVIII 
CANELOS TO BAjNOS 
i6i 
the river was confined to a narrow gorge. Immedi- 
ately below, it opened out into a deep basin where 
the water was so clear and green that one sees the 
name of Verde " has not been given to the river 
without reason. Its course is down a steep valley 
from north to south, and at its mouth it falls over 
the barranco of the Pastasa in an unbroken cascade 
of perhaps 200 feet high. 
We had obviously been ascending all day, and 
when we came out on the open ground of the Rio 
Verde, a cold, penetrating wind was blowing. Here 
we found that the common plantain would no longer 
bear the climate, though the small species called 
Guineo was still flourishing. Oranges and sugar- 
cane did not attain the size they did on the Amazon. 
On the other hand, productions of cooler climates 
began to make their appearance, such as potatoes 
and zanahovias, which seem a sort of parsnip. 
These are planted in far too small quantity to 
suffice for the consumption of the people employed 
in the hacienda, who being from the Sierra, their 
food consists chiefly of potatoes, pea- meal, and 
barley-meal. I was therefore disappointed in my 
expectation of finding materials for a plentiful re- 
fection for all my party, and with much difficulty 
bought a few potatoes and zanahovias, and a small 
quantity of barley-meal, besides a couple of bottles 
of aguardiente for the Indians, who esteemed it 
much more than the food. 
June 30. — Although at the Rio Verde I slept 
under the shelter of a good roof, I suffered more 
from cold than I had done in the forest, for a cold 
wind came through the unfinished flooring and walls 
of the upper story, where I had made my bed. 
VOL. II M 
