THE ORCHARDS OF LIMA. 163

mented his income, and gained him the respect and
confidence of those who could not appreciate his
skill as a naturalist. They were ready enough to
be cured by the French savant, when they found
him a more skilful leech than their own country-
men ; and thus self-interest secured what merit and
justice had failed to obtain for him. For the rest,
he thoroughly enjoyed the amusements of the gay
soclety with which for a time he mingled, and
lis lively manners and agreeable person made him
a favourite in those assemblies over which the fair
Limefias presided.

Lhe number and variety of the vegetable pro-
ductions of the country afforded a rich treat to our
naturalist. In a climate so favourable to all kinds
of vegetation, tropical and equinoctial fruits and
flowers abound. The predominant colour of the
flowers of indigenous plants upon the coast being
yellow, while those of the mountains are white,
the natives have a common proverb, “Ora en la
costa, plata en la sierra” (Gold on the coast, silver
in the mountains). One of the attractions of Lima
is its orchards ; they are described as being always
beautiful. Unlike those of Europe, the native
fruit-trees are evergreens, and present the garb of
spring during the whole year. The rich green of
the banana and plantain, their enormous leaves

rustling with every breeze and discovering their
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