Botanical Remhiiscences. 
58 
The cold temperature drove us by daybreak from our ham- 
mocks, the thermometer showing 60° Fahrenheit. W*e were 
now 3,930 feet above the level of the sea. 
The intense interest for the grand spectacle in store for us, 
united with the cold, we hastened to the great fall, about 
three miles distant. The road to it was most interesting in 
regard to botany. The air was filled with fragrance. Between 
Thibaudias, Andromedas, Ternstroemias, and Bef arias mag- 
nificent Orchids, trees of Ladenhergias, extended along our road. 
With every step the wild roar of the falling water 
increased, until we saw before us the unfettered element in 
volumes of foam, rushing over the steep precipice, and 
witnessed one of the most picturesque waterfalls of British 
Guiana. Over 120 feet high, perfect perpendicular precipice 
of red jasper, the mass of water, which, when it had reached 
half-way, already dissolved in foam and vapour, rushes down 
to a layer of jasper, when, after this mighty fall, it forms ten 
other cascades of a perpendicular height of six to forty feet, 
and then, after the whole fall of 220 feet, it unites its water 
with that of the River Kukenam. 
Struck with amazement, captivated by the awfully grand 
and imposing spectacle, we looked down into the wild drift of 
chasing waves, which with deafening thunder devoured any 
other sound. 
Not without difficulty we made a road downward to the 
basis of the great fall through the wall- like vegetation, which, 
from the pressure of the air of the falling waters, waved in 
wild emotion, and covered us with flakes of foam. Looking 
upwards on the beautiful cascades, through the crystal watei% 
tinged by the dark-brown red and pink colored layers of the 
J asper, which showed through it in beautiful variegated colors, 
and through a vegetation which only a tropical climate and 
the ever humid atmosphere can produce. 
Mosses, Lichens, and Ferns covered the gigantic rocks of 
gneis, which appeared here and there along the banks with 
a green swelling bolster, while creeping Aroids, Monstera, 
cannaefolia, Schott., Anthurium gracile, Lindl., and other 
creepers like garlands were spread over the ground. The 
most beautiful fern-trees appeared amongst the large stone 
blocks, and the shadows of their moving fronds danced like 
fairies over the green carpet. 
Even the crevices of the slippery masses of J asper were not 
without living vestment ; small luxuriant vegetating ferns, 
