Untitled - The Alfred Russel Wallace Website

IN THE CINCHONA FORESTS 285
at the same elevation (3000 feet), and these are the lowest points
at which I have observed any Rosaceae near the equator ; although
plants of this order, especially of the tribe Sanguisorbeae, constitute
a considerable proportion of the vegetation of the open
highlands.
Hydrangeacea, i. A Cornidia. The same, or a very similar
species, of this truly Andine genus grows by the Pastasa, on the
eastern side of the Cordillera, at about 4000 feet, and other three
species were gathered on Mount Campana, in Maynas, at 3000
feet. I have never seen any Cornidia either above or below the
warm region.
Ciuwniacete. A pinnate-leaved Weinmannia, sometimes reaching
80 feet high, is very frequent, and extends down the banks of
the Chasuan to perhaps 2200 feet. A humbler species descends
nearly as low on the Andes of Maynas. On the wooded declivity
of the volcano Tunguragua, Weinmanniae constitute a considerable
proportion of the vegetation, and extend upwards to at
least 11,000 feet.
Lythmcece. A Cuphea, a small, weak, much-branched under-
shrub, with purple flowers, grows gregariously in the pastures, generally
accompanied by Sida glomerata and a Stachytarpheta. By the
Rio San Antonio grow other two Cupheae, one of which grows also
in the valley of Alausf. This genus, abundant in the plains on
both sides of the Cordillera, spreads up the hills to 7000 feet, or
through the region of the Red Bark, but scarcely up to that of
the Hill Barks. Adenaria piirpiirata grows by the Rio San
Antonio up to 2500 feet, and descends on its banks into the
streams on the eastern side of the
plain, the same as it does by
Cordillera.
Onagraceie, i. Three species of Jussisea grow by the Rio San
Antonio. In the warm and hot regions this genus takes the place
of (Enothera, which is frequent in the hills, but rarely descends
below 6000 feet. In other parts of South America, as for instance
along the coast of Chili, Jussiita; arc found inhabiting a cool
climate. A single plant of a large-flowered Fuchsia was gathered
at about 2700 feet. A similar species occurs very rarely on the
eastern side of the Cordillera, at a little higher elevation. These
are the only instances I know of Fuchsias descending so low,
their favourite climate being found in the temperate and cool
regions of the Andes, say from 6000 to 1 1,000 feet.
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