422 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
all embarked night was approaching, and we de- 
sisted from our voyage till the following day. 
On Jan. 6 at 8 a.m. we got into the Orinoco, 
and about noon on the 7th reached the mouth of 
the Casiquiari. . . . 
Jan. 10. — We reached the Pueblo de Monagas yesterday before 
noon, and as the people were all absent in their fields we awaited 
their return, as I wished to purchase some pigs which the people 
here are noted for rearing. Meantime I strolled into the forest. 
Chiquichiqui (Piassaba of Brazil) was exceedingly abundant, in 
some places quite gregarious, and here and there a magnificent 
tableau. When the trees grow high and the beard is not cut off, 
its own weight brings it down, but it still remains as a sheath to 
the lower part of the stem, and as the new beard is forming at 
the apex the stem has a very singular aspect. It was in young 
fruit, and from the ramification of the panicle I have no hesi- 
tation in referring it to Leopoldina. Along with it were an 
Aldina (Leguminos?e) and a Rhizobolea (gen. nov.) in flower, but 
the trees were so thick and lofty that not one could be climbed. 
To-day on the voyage down I gathered a small-leaved Connarus, 
which was everywhere in flower. A Bignonia with large yellow 
flowers is also abundant on these two days. Another bignoniad 
{Arrabidcea incEqiialis) with smallish rose flowers was completely 
crowning a lofty tree (100 feet high), so that it appeared to belong 
to the latter, until an Indian with great peril ascended and brought 
down specimens. 
When we re-entered the Casiquiari it had fallen 
about 2 feet. The same night we had heavy con- 
tinued rain which did not pass off till 10 of the 
following morning. At daybreak the water was 
rising, and so continued. On the 12th towards 
evening we reached the Pueblo de Ponciano, and 
found the Casiquiari higher there than it was when 
we ascended. We did not leave again till the morn- 
ing of the 22nd, as I wanted to dry and pack away 
my plants before I ascended the Pacimoni. Dur- 
ing this time it was very rainy, and except on one 
day (the 19th) the sun was scarcely ever seen 
clearly. The river rose steadily till the 19th, when 
