126 EDGE OF THE TABLE-LAND. Book I. 
trachytic or phonolitic basis. The sides of the hills and 
mountains are rocky, but covered with grass and bushes. 
Amongst the latter a shrub or little tree called Nancite is 
characteristic, and prevails to such a degree that it deter- 
mines the aspect of vegetation in the greater part of 
Chontales. The shrub is found in the lower country like- 
wise, and I have seen it often in the environs of Granada. 
It has a stunted growth, like some dwarf-oaks ; bears clus- 
ters of red berries of a sub-acid taste, which are preserved 
and eaten like cranberries ; and the bark is said to be a 
superior material for tanning. If the latter statement is 
correct, this bark might become of commercial importance, 
as any quantity of it may be obtained from these regions. 
From the valley the path ascended a steep mountain 
side, where a family lived in a hut, keeping some goats and 
chickens ; but I could see no trace of cultivation in the 
neighbourhood, and I was really unable to conceive how 
these people managed to sustain life. Farther on, the path 
led along the brim of a precipice, from which I looked 
down upon a valley covered with a forest of high trees. 
The roaring of a number of howling-monkeys, sounding 
almost like that of lions, was heard from below. 
"When I had reached the summit of the ascent, I saw 
myself on the edge of the table-land, and a beautiful park- 
like country, with green prairies, clusters of trees and little 
groves lay expanded before me. Here numerous springs 
give rise to brooks and rivulets which, by their confluence, 
form the Rio Mico. This river, together with the Rio 
Siquias, into which it empties, and the Rio Arama, which 
likewise empties into the latter, from the same side and a 
little lower down, make up the Boswas or Boswash. This 
name, in the language of the Woolwas, means " the three 
rivers," from bos, three, and was, water, or river. The 
