the plain right and left of us, and the ground became
pierced here and there with blocks and pillars of limestone
rock, while a few abrupt conical hills and peaks rose
like islands. Passing over an elevated tract forming the
shoulder of one of the hills, a picturesque scene lay before
us. We looked down into a little valley almost entirely
surrounded by mountains, rising abruptly in huge precipices,
and forming a succession of knolls and peaks and
domes of the most varied and fantastic shapes. In the
very centre of the valley was a large bamboo house,
while scattered around were a dozen cottages of the same
material.
I was kindly received by Mr. Jacob Mesman in an airy
saloon detached from the house, and entirely built of
bamboo and thatched with grass. After breakfast he took
me to his foreman’s house, about a hundred yards off,
half of which was given up to me till I should decide
where to have a cottage built for my own use. I soon
found that this spot was too much exposed to the wind
and dust, which rendered it very difficult to work with
papers or insects. It was also dreadfully hot in the afternoon,
and after a few days I got a sharp attack of fever,
which determined me to move. I accordingly fixed on a
place about a mile off, at the foot of a forest-covered hill,
where in a few days Mr. M. built for me a nice little
house, consisting of a good-sized enclosed verandah or open
room, and a small inner sleeping-room, with h little cookhouse
outside. As soon as it was finished I moved into it,
and found the change most agreeable.
s u g a r p a l m . (A r e n g a saccharifera.)
The forest which surrounded me was open and free
from underwood, consisting of large trees, widely scattered