A nOTANTST’.^ RAMBLK IN CENTRAL AMERICA j 
anv of these reptiles. Not much,” said he, I have no fear ” 
but at the same time, we noticed that he took good care, that one 
of his Indians walked in front of him with a long Cuban cutlass” 
(here called Collin’s cutlass, from the maker’s name) making at 
the same time a great noise by hitting the bushes as Ave walked 
along. 
We collected many specimens in the woods, the most inter- 
esting being a Pteris, a Trichomanes of very minute proportions, 
and Si Alchornea. This latter was growing in a pasture at sea 
level, and appeared to be the same species which is indigenous to 
the Jamaica hills, but is never found on the plains of this Island. 
This instance has a parallel, in the plants found by Mr. Morris 
grooving on the sea shore in British Honduras, which in Jamaica 
are only to be found in the highest mountains. The fact has not 
been explained, but it is probable, that were a careful search 
made into the microscopical structure of these plants it would be 
found that their cells are constructed, so as to render them more 
dependent upon a regular supply of moisture, than upon a higher 
or loAver degree of temperature. The humid character of the at- 
mosphere is nearly constant in the localities in which these plants 
are found and the rainfall in the two places, is believed to be- 
nearly equal, in annual average. 
The Banana Plantations on this gentleman’s property were 
examples of good cultivation. The ground selected for their 
growth, consisted principally of a stiff yellow clay coA^ered Avith 
black alluvial, intermixed with innumerable sea shells, and through 
Avhich, the land crabs are exer bringing up the subsoil to the 
surface, thus raising it gradually, higher and higher above sea 
level. 
After a short trip through the Avoods, Ave again returned to 
the house and Avere entertained at dinner, the good things keep- 
ing us so late, that it Avas almost dark ere Ave reached the boat 
house, canoe house I suppose would be the more correct term, hoAA"- 
ever Ave soon Avere afloat and two athletic Indians rapidly took us 
across the bay to Bocas-del-Tora. Here Ave were furnished AAuth 
a canoe by Mr. Pobinson Lopez, the brother of our late host, Avho 
had accompanied us and Ave Avere soon speeding home- 
AAmrds towards Old Bank.” The Bull’s Mouth is not the best 
of places to pass in a dark night, and at the time Ave crossed, the 
Avaves Avere running very high, and Ave sank and rose alternately 
some 10 or I5 feet at a jump, but our canoe seemed a thing of life, 
and our boatmen as unconcerned as if they Avere on shore. After 
some tAAmnty minutes of this style of progression, Ave found our- 
selves safely once more on ierra firma, but although the confi-’ 
