434 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
than 200 feet. As we decided to pass the night 
here, I climbed the rock, when I was astonished at 
the magnificent scene that burst on me, exceeding 
that from Tarurumari both in extent and distinct- 
ness. A rain- cloud streaked with lightning was 
passing between Tibiali and Imei, which added to 
the picturesque effect. The whole horizon was 
visible except from W. towards N.W., which was 
shut out by trees on the top of the cerro. As this 
was nearly in the direction of the Casiquiari, I do 
not suppose there were any hills to be seen even 
had the forest been cleared away. Not only were 
all the mountains seen which had been visible from 
Tarurumari — especially Imei in its entire length — 
but by moving one's position a little a distinct view 
was obtained of Cocui (S.W. ^ W.) and the cerros 
below San Carlos, besides a set of low hills extend- 
ing between S.W. and S., and in the extreme dis- 
tance at the back of these we could dimly distinguish 
Pira-puku. 
[The Journal of the return journey ends here ; 
but the short record of botanical excursions shows 
that Spruce reached the mouth of the Pacimoni 
on February 24, 1854, remained a day collecting 
at the junction of the Pacimoni and Casiquiari, and 
arrived at San Carlos on the last day of the month. 
Here the whole of March was occupied in sorting 
and packing his collections and dispatching them 
to England, while April and half of May were 
spent in further botanical excursions around San 
Carlos, till he started on his journey to the cataracts 
of the Orinoco by way of the Guainia and Javita. 
The following letter to Sir William Hooker gives 
a connected sketch of the interesting voyage just 
