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XVIII CANELOS TO BAftOS 161
the river was confined to a narrow gorge. Immedi-
basin where
ately below, it opened out into a deep
the w r
ater was so clear and green that one sees the
name of " Verde " has not been given to the river
without reason. Its course is down a steep valley
from north to south, and at its mouth it falls over
the barranco of the Pastasa in an unbroken cascade
of perhaps 200 feet high.
We had obviously been ascending all day, and
when we came out on the open ground of the Rio
Verde, a cold, penetrating wind was blowing.
Here
we found that the common plantain would no longer
bear the climate, though the small species called
Guineo was still flourishing. Oranges and sugarcane
did not attain the size they did on the Amazon.
On the other hand, productions of cooler climates
began to make their appearance, such as potatoes
and zanahovias, which seem a sort of parsnip.
These are planted in far too small quantity to
suffice for the consumption of the people employed
in the hacienda, who being from the Sierra, their
food consists chiefly of potatoes, pea- meal, and
barley-meal. I was therefore disappointed in my
expectation of finding materials for a plentiful refection
for all my party, and with much difficulty
bought a few potatoes and zanahovias, and a small
quantity of barley-meal, besides a couple
of bottles
of aguardiente for the Indians, who esteemed it
much more than the food.
/it nc 30. Although at the Rio Verde I slept
under the shelter of a good roof, I suffered more
from cold than I had done in the forest, for a ml