Occasional Notes. 
The Third Ascent of Roraima. — This ascent of 
the mountain was made by Mr. F. DRESSEL, who, a few 
months ago, journeyed to that distri6l to collect orchids — 
and of these chiefly the beautiful and recently described 
Cattleya Lawrenceana — for Mr. Sander, the great 
orchid dealer in St. ALBANS. Curiously enough the 
second ascent of Roraima, in November 1886, was made 
by another orchid colle6lor, Mr. CROMER, conne6led 
with the same English firm. As was to be expe6ted, 
both of these gentlemen ascended the mountain by the 
path on the south-western side discovered by Mr. 
IM THURN and Mr. PERKINS, in their memorable first 
ascent in December 1884. 
During the time of Mr, DRESSEL's visit, the weather 
was singularly dry, scarcely any rain falling, and that of 
a light chara6ler and of little duration. The appearances 
of the scene, noticed by Mr. DRESSEL, were therefore 
just such as would be expe6led under such conditions 
from the knowledge which we have of the mountain 
through the first explorers, who it will be remembered 
arrived at Roraima towards the end of a dry season, and 
were not able to make the ascent until one fine and fairly 
clear day broke after three days of heavy and almost 
incessant rain and thunder. After such a down-pour, it 
will be remembered, Roraima presented the appearance 
of a saturated or super-saturated area, the upper surface 
so to speak, reeking with moisture. Mr. DRESSEL, who 
ascended on the 14th October after continuous dry 
weather, found the upper surface comparatively dry, the 
