168 We Ascend the Hitmirida Range. 
and last occasion on wliicli I saw the plant. Near the trnnk, under cover 
of luxuriant ferns, particularly species of Trichomanes, Poh/padium, and 
swollen mosses, a chattering- rivulet wns ,ü;nrolin.2;, skippinfj and 
splashing on its way to the plain helow. Tt was upon its banks that T 
ji'ot hold of a prettily marked toad. ]»rol»al>ly a variety of Dendro'bates 
flnrtorioiis Wagl.: the dull black jiround-c(dour of the head, back and 
feet was broken by a uuml)ei' of irreiiiilar yelloAV streaks. 
405. After my return to camp, tlte liuntsmen came in one after the 
other, all in low S]>irits and still with empty hands. A few pepper-eaters 
which I nt tii-st took for RJin mplin.'tto.'i yifen!)}i(s formed the only bajj, but 
Ihc necnliar colour of the beak, that fairly resembled Rhamphnfifnfi 
rri/flirdrli j/nrlnifi, shewed it to be Tflin m phas^fofi fliftroToriifi Linn., Jardin 
et Selbv. 
400. Tlie sandstone rancfc had to be climbed next day: the cool 
morninq: might well be devoted to it. As his wife had to make arrange- 
meiits for her api>rofichiiig confinement, we prevailed on Sororeng to 
leave her hci-e until we got back, a proposition to which, after long 
hesiiaiiou. he agreed. 
407. Eai'liest sunrise on the 24th October found our column, 
increased by some' additions from the settlement, already on the quick 
march following the course of the valley which was still always sloping 
to the westward. After travelling along the foot of the TTumirida, and 
crossing a small affluent of Iho ^Iiiyaui:. we arrived at the spot indicated 
as the starting point froTu where we had to clamber over the Range. 
40S. TTowever inconceivable the asceut of the perpendicular sand- 
stone wall of Humirida appeared to be, some of our guides who had 
already travelled' the road n few times, nevertheless assured us that, 
though perhaps a bit difficult, it was possible. The Range, free of all 
trees from base to summit, plentifully cleft at the sides,, and only here 
and there covered with low bush, shewed the most luxuriant forests more 
to the westward, where it rose to a height of more than 2,000 feet above 
the plain. We set out upon the dansrerous enternrise. Between and 
over colossal sandstone rocks, nrv went the trail at the end of an hour 
we had not reached half-^'^r althouph our streno-fh was exhausted: the 
panting breast, the tremblinc knee that every few minutes required n 
moment's rest, and the scorching sun. from which we were inn^'^'e 
imT>'''oTf>r'te'd. exlTnuste'd tTie remainder of our strenjrth. We were renllv 
in a "Had wav, an'd yet we Enroneans lieTd nothing but a stick in our hands, 
while the Indians, steeped in perspiration and carrying their load by 
means of a broad band over the forehead, clambered over the masses of 
stone with as much ease and acility as if these were level n-round and the 
Howina" orb a coolinsr shade. Our long procession glided like a snake up 
the mountain side and the outlook, front and back, was of so strange a 
nature that it wns even aide to captivate us, exhaustedi as we were, on 
the repeated occasions that we were forced to rest. After many an 
hour's climb we reached the 500 foot high sandstone wall. For us to 
commence its ascent at once along the dangerous trail that the Indians 
had been forced to use was a matter of impossibility: our lost strength 
had at least to be partly recuperated. 'A, quantity of moss and lichens 
