fruits and seeds, "we are going to Fusagasugá to hunt the giant blackberry. You will be ready to start to-morrow at 7. We shall take the early train for Sibaté and walk from the end of the line to our destination." A look of anguish overspread the countenance of the assistant agricultural explorer. Latin Americans are not given to "hiking" like their North American brethren; indeed, it savors of indignity. for a gentleman to be seen on foot in the Andes, unless he be within a few squares. of his own residence. But Hernando was game. He might lose caste by the journey, but he would risk it rather than have me suspect that he was unwilling to do anything which I would do. "I shall purchase the railway tickets this afternoon," I continued; "and, by the way," feeling that I was on very delicate ground, "how are you accustomed to ride-second or third class?" There was no hesitation on Hernando's part. "Señor," he said, with feeling, "I always ride second class. It would be impossible for me to go third class; that's THE "SIETE CUEROS," IN THE PARQUE DE INDEPENDENCIA, AT BOGOTÁ The flowers of this Andean shrub, a species of Tibouchina, are remarkable for the various shades of color which they exhibit. Blossoms of rich blue, others of violet hue, and still others of mauve, may be seen on the plant at one time. This is due to the fact that they change color between the time when they first expand and the moment when they wither and fall. where plebeians travel!" The day was won, and I purchased two second-class tickets. The ordinary traveler in Colombia rarely thinks of going first class. Government officials, military officers, members of the clergy, and a few wealthy hacendados (ranchmen) are the chief patrons of this exclusive method of transportation, and of this group I suspect that all but the hacendados ride on passes. The real democracy of Colombia is found in the second-class coaches. As for the third-class-well, I could hardly blame Hernando, once I had seen the motley collection of peons, mule-drivers, and lowclass women with squalling babies which filled this car. At 7 in the morning we rolled out of the station and were soon beyond the suburbs. Broad haciendas stretched away on either side, with here and there expanses of waste land. To our left the mountains rose close by, while on our right the sabana (savanna) spread out 30 miles or more, until it met the hills of the escarp ment, where, breaking through by a tortuous channel, the river of Bogotá leaps in a mighty effort to reach by one sheer jump the torrid valley of the Magdalena, lying far below. Thus are formed the Falls of Tequendama, rivaling those of the Yosemite in beauty. A QUEST FOR THE GIANT BLACKBERRY When we climbed down from the train at Sibaté it was drizzling gently. We groaned inwardly, as we looked at the muddy road winding up into the hills; then packed our supplies upon our backs and struck off. An occasional oxcart passed us, a mule train of charcoal, and horsemen dressed in the ruana and huge, baggy, cowhide trousers, known to Colombians as zamarros. Here and there along the roadside were small taverns, whose only stock in trade seemed to be vats of chicha and guarapo, fermented beverages which were. being dispensed in large gourds. Over the divide we went and down a steep zigzag trail, carefully graded and This building was formerly a monastery, but is now used to house the Post Office and certain other government activities. Roses and other flowers brighten its attractive patio. The man in the foreground is wearing the typical garb of the highland laborer-"Panama" hat, ruana, trousers of cotton drill, and alpargatas, or rope sandals. This flowering plant (botanically known as Dahlia maxonii) grows in Mexico, Central America, and the northern Andes. It reaches 20 feet in height and bears starry pink or white blossoms, usually single, though double-flowered forms are occasionally found. Photographed on the road between Villeta and Albán, Colombia. Photographs by Wilson Popenoe THE "CURUBA DE CASTILLA," A FRUIT OF THE NORTHERN ANDES A handsome pink-flowered climber native to the Andean region pro- THE BALÚ, WHICH GROWS ON TREES The beans inclosed by this pod are nearly two inches long and half as |