We Eetra.ce our Steps. 
[217 
posed of a solid fine-grained reddish sandstone with small white thin 
plates of mica. A species of Buhns probably the only species of the 
tropics, the sweet berries of which proved a real cordial for us, flonrished 
at their base. A small delicate Melastomacea with snlphnr-yellow bios 
soms sprouted in the clefts of the steeji rocks, as well as in the crannies 
and projections, wherever any humus had collected : on closer investiga- 
tion it ]U'0ved to he a new s])ecies of Co mhcssedcsia, to which I could 
apply no more characteristic name than lyomlmne, because I never fonnd 
this peculiar plant anywhere else Itut on this mountain. 
479. Unfortunately the forest, liy reaching up to the very base of the 
mountain, just like the wihl thicket of ferns, allowed us to take l»iit 
isolated and stray views of the landscape spread out below. The sense 
of oppression first l)egan gradually to disappear as I retraced my steps 
dowuAvards, but I only breathed freely when I fonnd myself outside the 
area of the precipitons wall. Our descent was attended with infinitely 
more difficulties than the climli up. Had T taken a mud bath I could not 
have arrived in camp dirtier than I really did. 
480. Immediately after getting l)ack, when T rolled into my liara- 
mock with a very bad attack of fever, my brother and Mr. Fryer started 
along the path just traversed by me. The huntsmen, in no sense dis- 
lieartened by yesterday's bad luck in missing the tapir, had again set out 
tliis morning in a happy frame of mind and now returned in the evening 
crowned with victory. Not a bit of meat having passed our lips for ten 
days, all and sundry fell Avith ravenous hunger upon the dainty repast 
while the wretched fever had coir.]detely spoilt my otherwise excellent 
appetite . 
481. On the following morning, 22nd ^Tovember, we intended leav- 
ing this spot, so interesting from both botanical and geological points of 
view. On account of his mapping, my In-other was forced to push Iiis 
way np to tlie source of the rotinga, wliich rushes down the eastern 
preci]üce of Eoraima, while anxiety to prevent my treasures getting mil- 
dewed urged me back to Onr Village as speerlily as possible so as to be 
aide to dry them before this dangerons condition should be really 
reached : to press them here was an ira]"»ossibility. 
482. Nevertheless during this short stay I had collected over 100 
species of Phanerogams, and So species of fern, amongst whicli a large 
numl)er proved to be ncAV, and yet we had reached this inexhaustible 
l)otanical treasure-house in the same month Avherein my In-other had 
visited it in the year 1838. AVhat a countless number of plants h;id 
already bloomed, how many near Idossoming, or still awaited it! I have 
never and nowhere again even approximately, seen such a similarly 
lovely wealth of vegetation as that which greeted me on this sandstone 
range where one was in doubt which to admire the more — the infinite 
variety or the enchanting loveliness of the flowers- The most insignifi- 
cant alteration in the lay of the ground, the varying height and dip of 
the beds, hoAvever slight it might be, differing degrees of moisture, every 
one of these conditions, or one in combination) Avith the other, gave rise 
to such a change in vegetation as Avould never be) found over a similar 
limited area throughout the almost level lands of the Essequibo^ Orinoco 
