772 
THE TROPICAL AQRIOULTURISI 
[April i, 1892 
able to tbe eetablisbmeut of tropicel plautationf, and 
suited in all respects to tbe conditicns required for 
a largo Koropean ecttlement. 
To a botanist tbe flora of the Perene Valley is of 
tbe deepest intexest, aud in some respects unique. Here 
are met tba gisut monarobs of an Amazouic fortat, 
with an abundance of kinds of parisitical growth. 
Everything impresses the mind with the fait that 
here nature la indeed primeval. But although interest- 
ing in this botanical aunse, and possessing a value 
peculiarly its own, tbe iuteiesis of tbe Oorporatiuu 
demand from me mote praetioal treatment. 
The variety of flora, bat eapooialiy that of tbo under- 
growth, is of a most varied and luxuriant dcHcrip'ion, 
presenting a scone of great richness. 
Here is the home of most of the species ef Anthu- 
rinm. Philodendron, Caladinro, Peperomis, Dichori- 
sandra, and dwarf Palms, wi’li th« besntilul tropical 
species of Begonia, the striking leaved and (lowered 
Gesneraceous plants, and the torro.atrial Orchids, wit U 
their epiphytal allies, sneh as Oncidinm, Epidendiiim, 
Oattleyas, Ac., &a., all lending a oharmitig colour to 
the deep green surroundings of a tropical forest. Hi re 
also tbe tiolagiuella, forming a carpet-like growth, 
are represented by seven species, some of which were 
quite new to me ; while the heaiUiful and feather- 
like tree ferns which here abound grace Ibis really 
magnificent display of natnre, Never baa it been 
my privilege to wituees aueb a collection of horticultural 
rarities. 
Tbe most prominent feature which at once arrests 
tbo eye is the enormous dimensions of seme of tbe 
larger speoimeos of tree life. To render these 
of oiimmercial value, speedy and economical means of 
transport are absolutely necessary ; and with such 
beautiful aud valuable timber trees so adaptable to 
the various lequiiemeuts of trade, it would seem a 
positive waste to fell indiscriminately the whole jungle 
in opening up this region. 
Tbe following are the most conspionous trees of 
commcTcisl value wliioh 1 noted during my limited 
opportunities : — 
The •• Black Walnut ” {.luylann nu/ra) ; This tree’ 
the wood of which is so valuable, is most oommnuly 
mot with at elevations raiigiiig from 2,000 to 4,000 
feet. Specimens were found which gave a diameter 
of 49 iuobes, with a oolumn-like stem of about 75 
feet. 
Tbe “ Toon ” (Cedretn odorala) is very oemmon 
thronghoat this district at similar altitudes, and at- 
tains almost as large dimensions ; one tree I happened 
to measure giving a diameter of 86 inches, with a 
stem 60 to 60 feet high. This tree, so allied to the 
mahogany, provides a timber used for all light worki 
and has the advantage of not warping when cnt. Thia 
la the wood principally used in Cuba and South 
Amerioa generally in tbe making of the well-known 
dark coloured oigar boxes, and it conld be largely 
employed here for such purposes. 
A speoies of what I take to be Facaranda brafi- 
lienais oommouly known as " Hose Wood,” having a 
beautiful grniUj was also found. This would be highly 
prized for ohoice cabinet work. 
Equal iu value as timber for building purposes is 
tbe Calophyllum Oalaba and the Mimnsops elala- 
whilo others of leas value, but equally common, sro 
a very high species of Erythrina with its conspicu- 
ous red flowers, and the " Sand Bax ” tree ( Jluva 
ertmtana) with its huge trunk. 
Caoso was fouud at elevations ranging from 1,050 
feet to 2,700 feet, aud extending all along the volley 
from Chanebsmayo to the Cascades, Trees were found 
00 feet high, with a diameter of 18 inches at 3 feet 
above ground, end generally found growing under shade. 
So far as I could asoertain, there is found wild only 
one variety, the fruit of wbiob, when immature, is 
of a greenish colour, turning when fully ripe into an 
orange yellow. 
The pods, which are about 8 inches long, are deeply 
fluted or ribbed, and contain from 27 to 30 seeds 
of a triangular shape and of deep rose or purple 
eulonr. The variety is one of tbe most superior of 
tbe h'orastoto class so much in demand in Ceylon 
The crop woulil seem to ripen in April or May. 
Tn no cate did I find the plant cultivated. Tbe natives 
however, collect the beaus and prepare a sirt of cocoa 
from them, and a kind of vinegar from the busk. 
In this va ley I found the Vanilla plant grownig 
wild, and in no case under cultivation. 
Wiihin the elevations 1,£00 and 3,000 feet, the 
valuable plant seems to thrive best. Three varieties 
were fouud, one with leaves 12 to 14 inches long 
bearing triangular ped.H 14 inobea loug, having a 
strong aroma ; one wiib (.miller leaves with round 
pods 12 inches long, etjaally strong in flavour — the 
plant ( V anilla iilani folia) in general onitivation tlirongh- 
out the tropics; another with tbin pods with little or 
no sroina. 
While yet green, the natives collect the pods and 
otire them by simple exposure to the sun lusulting in 
the production of a very poor article indeed. 
Tbe plant is very common throughout the entire 
valley, and the growth is exceptionally good. 
Wbeicas iu most couutrios where this plant is oul- 
tivaled, fertilization is artificial, the flowers here are 
uatucally fertilizeil. 
This herbaceous plant {Co^diolia ipecacuanha) was 
found in the low damp sbaOy forests near San Luia, 
but Lot iu quantity. 1 have every reason, however, 
to expect that on a more diligent search being made 
iu similar situations it might be found in quantities 
sufiiciently large to attract attention with a view to 
expiiilaiicn. 
Ot a creeping habit, thi- Kubaoeous plant growl 
to a ^ height ot about 13 iuches, and produces 
long wiry aunuiated roots, (he portion i f the plant used. 
Tile val Hat, le properties of this imporlaut drug do 
LOt B> ism to be recognised by the natives, 
CittcuoNA. — 01 (bis valuable plant there would appear 
to to three species peculiar to the valley of the 
Chauchsuiayo river; hut aa it so happened, neither 
of these Wire fouud in flower. I bad, therefore, only 
the foliage of these plants by which 1 could define 
tlio exact speoies, ami consequently havo liad consi- 
derable difliouliy lu naming them. From the foliage, 
however. 1 would suppose them to bo C. Miorantha, 
C. Lanoifolia, and auuihcr unknown. The bark of 
these plants, however, on analysis proved to be poor 
iu nlkiiuiils compared with the more valuable species 
(nuud further toutli. 
Tlie plants feiiud wore quite 60 foot in height aud 
are very oummou iudoi d. 
On more searching exploration ef this vast terri- 
tory, I have every reai-cn to expect that tbo more 
profiiable species would be found. 
Coca.— This valualdo plant (Erj/lhroxylon Coca) was 
found wild at from 3,000 to 4.800 feet el(‘vatiou, and, 
AS a cultivated plant, iu the neighbourhood of the 
Indians* bou-os, Tbe leaves are only gathered for 
local consnmption. 
SAusAi’AniLLA (Smilox officinalis). — This drug of lesa 
imputtiiuoe was found growing wild, generally in the 
fwarmer regions of the rivers, in free or sandy soil. 
Tbe roots, which arc the commercial part of tbe plant, 
were ot exceptionilly goud size and could be exported 
in large quantities. 
Tobacco. — lu the neighbourhood of tbe honses of 
be Cbauohoo Indiins, this plant is found in a semi- 
wild state, and is chiefly ci lleoted by them for the 
nicotine which is used, along with coca, in tbsir 
masiioaiory. This extract is obtained by a process 
of pounding tbe leaves, picvti usly p»rtly cured, 
when water is applied ; after which fermen- 
tation takes place, the whole being strained through a 
pcrloratcd ground. 
Aknatto. — T he product of a plant (Bisa Orellana) 
common throughout tbo whole valley below an elcva- 
tioD ol 4,000 feet. The dye is made from the seed 
and ia need by the Oliancboo Indians in colouring 
their bodies. 
It is largely grown in the East Indies, whence 
England and the Continent receive their supplies. 
As a colouring matter for butter and cheese it is 
sold in Europe from 3d to fid p*r pound. 
Loowood (Hamatoxylott campechiaimm.)—ln the act 
of oleatiug the jangle for plantations it would, in my 
