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96 NOTES OF A BOTANIST CHAP.
we can well understand the difficulties of the ascent
of such a mountain through many miles of tropical
forest, among deep ravines and impassable gorges,
along a track used only by Indians crossing the
mountains to a good fishing stream which Hows
directly into the Huallaga, as described at p. 40.)
In July 1856, Spruce went for a month to Lamas
and Tabalosos, making the latter place
his head-
quarters for the exploration of the eastern slopes
of the Campana Mountains, where, at about 4000
feet elevation, is a natural pasture called Potrelo,
" around which is low forest with many interesting
flowering plants, palms, tree - ferns, ferns, and
mosses." The position of Tabalosos is picturesque,
being
situated in the midst of mountains. On the
opposite side of the Mayo (to the N. and N.E.)
there is a very bold and lofty peak, at no great
distance, whose rocky
perpendicular. Those
slope seems to be nearly
who go from Yurimaguas
to Moyobamba by way of Balsapuerto have this
peak on their left. The inhabitants are nearly all
Indians, with very few half-breeds. Hardly any
speak Spanish. They grow large quantities of
vegetables, and are much employed as carriers on
the route from Tarapoto to Moyobamba.
(The drawing here given of the rude clock-tower
of Tabalosos shows this remarkable mountain im-
mediately to the left of it, and nearly in the centre
of the picture, while the Indian ringing the two
very small bells gives life and character to the scene.)
From the summit of the Pingulla mountain there
is a splendid view of the whole lower course of the
Mayo, with Lamas, Tarapoto, and all its surrounding
mountains, to Chapaja on the Huallaga river.