[E28]

April 25 -1862

"Mountains exceeding 2000 feet in elevation, situated principally in Western Veraguas, possess a vegetation which resembles in many respects that of the Mexican highlands; one in which the forms of the torrid region are harmoniously blended with those of the temperate. Alders and Blackberries are found with Fuchsias and Salvias; the common Brake grows in company with Lupins and Ageratums; Oaks and Palms are intermingled; fine large flowers are abundant. The genera represented are: Styrax, Rondeletia, Salvia, Lopezia, Fuchsia, Centradenia, Ageratum, Conostegia, Lupinus, Hypericum, Freziera, Galium, Smilax, Euphorbia, Rhopala, Equisetum, Clematis, Chorisia, Verbena, Condaminea, Inga, Solanum, etc. The Oaks, like most tropical ones, are scarcely higher than 30 feet, resembling neither in size nor in grandeur those which our heathen forefathers worshipped; their branches are smooth and devoid of that rugged appearance which renders those of the northern species so picturesque."

Extracted from Berthold Seemanns Botany of the Voyage of H.M.S. Herald. p. 67. (London. 1852–1857. Quarto. 484 pages, and 100 plates.)

NB. The oaks here alluded to are: Quercus Seemanni, Lieb., Q. bumelioides. Liebm., and Q: Warscewiczii14 Liebm.

As in Himalaya, Fernando Po & here, temperate forms get mingled with Tropical, apparently from neighborhood of Temperate forms. so it would have been in Glacial Period'