72 
Botanical Re^niniscences. 
One Niglits/^ Alexander von Humboldt said that it is in 
vain to search in the Alps for a perpendicular rock of 1,600 
feet high ; before us on the southern side, the Kamaiba 
rushed down 1,500 feet ; the celebrated Staubbach, in 
Switzerland, rushes down a precipice of 900 feet ; and the 
more celebrated Cascade de Gavarnie, the highest waterfall 
yet known, has a height of 1,266 feet. On the steep rocks 
we observed a shrub like vegetation, which, from where we 
stood, appeared a dazzling green mass, contrasted with the 
uncovered rocks. The platform of the Roiaima seems to 
have in its centre an elevation, because we observed some 
vegetation there. After the terrible leap of the Kamaiba, 
down the precipice of 1,500 feet, it disappeared at the base 
among the green vegetation, suddenly appearing again about 
100 feet from the rocks at a spot destitute of all vegetable life, 
and then again rushed down a precipice of 120 feet, to dis- 
appear entirely in the green vegetation. This charming 
scenery we were not to enjoy very long, as the mist began to 
rise from the depth like a thick cloud, which was dispersed 
by the wind, and again we and the rocks were wrapped in 
that envious, damp, and cold veil, impenetrable to the eyes. 
After eating our breakfast, consisting of a yam sup, I was 
roving over the slope of the mountain, detecting, I may say, 
at every step new botanical treasures, which were hailed by 
me with exclamations of joy. The most splendid and peculiar 
flora I found amongst and on the sandstone rocks, which 
covered the deep descent in wild confusion— a chaos of 
Clusias, Thibaudias, Mimosae, Myrcias, Ternstrcemias, Bon- 
netias, Befarias, Vaccmiums, Oaultherias, Oomphias^ and 
Stegilepis guianensis ; while on the edge of the gigantic rocks, 
which consisted of a gravelly red sandstone, were contained 
Algm, of the genera * Cladonia, Evernia^ and ITsnea ; and 
mosses, viz., Sphagnum^ OctohlepJiarum, Calymperes, and 
Hypnum ; amongst these grow luxuriantly the pretty Qnapha- 
Mum americanum. 
Wherever I cast my eyes they fell on the most charming 
Orchids, viz., Stelis ophioglossoides, Sw. ; Biothonea imbricata^ 
Lindl. ; Zygopetalum Mackai, Hook.; Masdevallia guianensis ^ 
Lindl. ; Cleistes rosea, Lindl. ; Oncidium pulchellum, Cattleya 
pumila, Hook. ; and Mossiae, Hook. ; Odontoglossums, MaxillariaSy 
and a number of Expidendrons ; but the most lovely ornament 
were the Sobrdlias, which at this altitude vegetated in a 
