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306
NOTES OF A BOTANIST
stretched moistened strips of calico over the cases,
which seemed to answer admirably. As Mr. Cross
wished the plants to be firmly established in their
new residence before removing them from Agua-
catal, I determined to delay our departure
until the
latest possible moment, that is to say, so as to
reach Guayaquil and fasten up the cases before the
arrival of the steamer on the 28th.
After my arrival at Aguacatal
the weather was
occasionally showery, but the rains were evidently
heavier towards the source of the river, which
would suddenly rise several feet, and then rapidly
lower again ;
so that we had to watch our raft night
and day, lest on the one hand it should be carried
away by the floods or the onslaughts of driftwood,
or on the other hand should be left high and dry-
of the waters. At 1 1 P.M.
by the sudden receding
of December 22, heavy rain came on at Aguacatal,
and did not cease until 9 A.M. of the following day,
when the river had risen much, and continued
rising through the day. The next night still
heavier rain fell, clearing off at about 8 A.M. of the
24th, which was the day fixed for starting on our
Our raftsmen were three in number as far
voyage.
as to Bodegas, but thence to Guayaquil, where the
river is wider, and is therefore not subject to sudden
rises and falls, we needed only two. As soon
as the rain ceased, we got the glasses of the cases
put on board, and when our raftsmen had taken
their
last
last trago with their friends, and said their
adios (always a lengthy process), we left
Matias, at parting, foretelling us
Aguacatal ; Don
a speedy but perilous voyage.