Delfin Sanclobal. They arrived at Cartago while I was 
indisposed, and in order that their time should not be lost, 
I arranged for them to make an excursion along the 
Cordillera Occidental overland to Cali, to make scientilic 
collections from that region. 
Cartago to Cali by Steamer. 
From Cartago we proceeded up the Cauca river to Cali 
on December l7th. We were fortunate in meeting on 
board the Governor . of the Department, Dr. Ignacio 
Rengifo, who was very helpful in his advice as to our 
route and in relationing us with the various officials of the 
Department. We sailed from Fresnero at live in the 
evening and continued until 10 p.m., when we reached 
the river port for Toro, where we remained the night. 
The first thing that strikes one who has travelled np 
and down the Magdalena river, is the complete dilference 
in the river scenery. There is, for example, an entire 
absence of the extensive forests which characterise the 
Lower Magdalena valley, and replacing them are extensive 
pasture lands, broken here and there by large cacao 
plantations, the e.xistence of which can be observed for a 
long distance at this season (December) by the flaming 
scarlet blossom of the shade trees [Erylhrina spp.). 
The river at this time of the year is low, navigation 
having at times to be suspended. The Cauca, unlike the 
Magdalena, is confined within ■ narrow banks, and the 
number and variety of palms, together with graceful 
bamboos, distributed on either side, lends a beauty to the 
landscape which probably does not lind a parallel in any 
other part of Colombia. 
The next morning the boat continued its upward course 
at an early hour, and as the heat of the day became more 
pronounced, large herds of cattle made their way to the 
river, where on the sand-banks and in the shallow parts 
they sought its coolness. 
Para grass is one of the principal pastures of the Cauca 
valley, and there is no doubt that it is one of the most 
appropriate to the conditions which exist in the valley, 
especially in areas such as those traversed by the river 
which are subject to periodic inundation. 
One of the plants which stands out conspicuous on the 
river banks, as if it were there especially to announce to 
the passengers who pass up and down the river the 
fertility of the lands, is the cana brava.' This plant 
’ A grass resembling sugar-cane. 
reminds one of the elephant grass of Central Africa, a 
plant three to four metres, in height and with caulms 
resembling slender bamboos, which grow in such density 
that it is only penetrable after elephants have opened up 
a pathway. In Africa the elephant grass is a recognised 
sign of the fertility of the land on which it grows, and it 
would seem that the existence of the caila brava is no less 
a sign of fertility than its African congener. 
The Coconut palm occurs at intervals all along the 
Cauca river. 1 noticed that these palms were bearing 
very heavily, .carrying huge bunches of golden nuts. So 
prolific did these palms seem to me that it would appear 
that ]-ilantations on a commercial scale would prove a 
profitable undertaking in the valley. 
From noon on the second day’s journey, the river winds 
around the hill ranges of the Cordillera Occidental, and 
liere and there widens out, presenting more difficulty in 
navigation. With the formation of sand-banks, the 
character of the vegetation changes, the pale green willow 
comes more into evidence, contrasting strikingly with the 
deeper green of other vegetation. 
On the third day's journey bird life became more 
common, and we saw the swarms of ducks, beautiful 
pink-coloured llamingos and innumerable cormorants, 
kingfishers, etc. The course 
brought us close at times to 
the Cordillera Occidental, 
which we observed is much 
more arid than the opposite 
Cordillera, which we had 
recently left. Here our vision 
of pasture lands was widened, 
ancl as far as we could see 
there was little, at times, to 
break the expanses of para 
grass, with immense herds of 
sleek cattle grazing therein. 
Here and there extensive 
plantations of cacao line the 
banks, and the little trees 
laden with their purple fruits, 
under their canopy of shade, 
form a pleasing sight. 
d'he steamers of the Cauca 
river are smaller than those 
of the Magdalena, they are, 
however, modern in construc- 
tion and very comfortably 
arranged for passengers ; the 
menu is ample and good and 
the attention on board all that one would desire. 
Before reaching Cali we passed the famous drawbridge 
over the Cauca, on which passes the line from Cali to 
Palmira ; this is the only bridge of its nature in the 
country. 
The fourth day’s journey brought us to the port of 
Cali, and a smoky old steam tram took us up to the heart 
of the city. 
Cali. 
Cali is the capital of the province of that name and of 
the Department of El Valle. It is situated on the Cali 
river at 1 ,042 metres above sea-level, and has an average 
temperature of 25'' C. The population according to the 
last census (1918) numbers 45,524, the city was founded in 
1535. It is a busy commercial centre and there are 
important manufacturing concerns. In the adjacent 
Cordillera Occidental there are extensive deposits of coal 
of excellent quality, which are only worked to a small 
extent, chiefly for supplying the needs of the Pacific 
Railway. The city possesses a beautiful cathedral, public 
and private buildings, including a magnificent theatre now 
Fig. XIV.— C.vcao Plantation on thk Upper Cauca River. 
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