3o6 
NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
CHAP. 
Stretched moistened strips of calico over the cases, 
which seemed to answer admirably. As Mr. Cross 
wished the plants to be firmly established in their 
new residence before removing them from Agua- 
catal, I determined to delay our departure until the 
latest possible moment, that is to say, so as to 
reach Guayaquil and fasten up the cases before the 
arrival of the steamer on the 28th. 
• ••••• 
After my arrival at Aguacatal the weather was 
occasionally showery, but the rains were evidently 
heavier towards the source of the river, which 
would suddenly rise several feet, and then rapidly 
lower again ; so that we had to watch our raft night 
and day, lest on the one hand it should be carried 
away by the floods or the onslaughts of driftwood, 
or on the other hand should be left high and dry 
by the sudden receding of the waters. At 1 1 p.m. 
of December 22, heavy rain came on at Aguacatal, 
and did not cease until 9 a.m. of the following day, 
when the river had risen much, and continued 
rising through the day. The next night still 
heavier rain fell, clearing off at about 8 a.m. of the 
24th, which was the day fixed for starting on our 
voyage. Our raftsmen were three in number as far 
as to Bodegas, but thence to Guayaquil, where the 
river is wider, and is therefore not subject to sudden 
rises and falls, we needed only two. As soon 
as the rain ceased, we got the glasses of the cases 
put on board, and when our raftsmen had taken 
their last trago with their friends, and said their 
last adios (always a lengthy process), we left 
Aguacatal ; Don Matias, at parting, foretelling us 
a speedy but perilous voyage. 
