x The famous botanical garden, which has the reputation
of being the finest in the world, is in close
proximity to the park. Here acres of land are laid out
apportioned to the different groups of plants and trees.
A large space is occupied by palms of every kind, from
the majestic taliput to the common date, also the
pretty fern tree (Alsophila latebrosa) is seen here in its
full development. Entire avenues are formed of
poisonous trees, a single fruit of which or the chewing
of a leaf would speedily despatch a man into the other
world. Orchids and pitcher-plants (.Nepenthes) of
almost incredible beauty, not to be surpassed even in
the West Indies, where the swampy ground and hot
damp climate particularly favours their growth.
Creepers, water plants,—an enormous Victoria regia,
completely putting Mr. Whampoa’s specimen at Singapore
into the shade, — and every variety of plant
enjoying the privilege of Latin denomination.
Amongst this tropical vegetation I noticed a perfect
menagerie of leaf insects, which, unless already known
to the visitor, he would hardly detect at a glance, so
like are they to the actual leaves amongst which they
house; the very network of veins, and frequently the
very spots of partial decay, are here reproduced to a
nicety. Whilst walking along the main alley of
gigantic rasimalas (Liquidambar estingaria), I made
the acquaintance of a handsome jet-black cobra, about
six feet long and a couple of inches in diame'ter, said to
be poisonous.
Buitenzorg, thanks to the indefatigable exertions of
Mr. Murschenbrock, who holds the high position of
judge and controller, and to whom it had been my
good fortune to be introduced, possesses a most excellent
geological museum, containing samples of gold and
coal from Java, diamonds from Borneo, copper and coal
from Sumatra, silver from Timor, etc. Sumatra is
particularly rich in coal, but so far the Government
had not granted permission to work i t ; there are seams
twenty feet in depth, whilst those of Java seldom
exceed six to eight feet. All these islands produce
innumerable varieties of timber; Mr. Murschenbrock
told me that he had sent to the last exhibition at
Batavia no less than 800 specimens from Banca alone.
The country around Buitenzorg is simply magnificent,
and the prettiest view is probably that from the
verandah of the H6 tel “Belle Vue.” A thickly-wooded
and well-watered valley below, with high mountains for a
background, rising to a height of 4,000 to 5,000 feet, and
clothed in verdure to the very top. To the east there is a
succession of terraces whose bright green indicates the
cultivation of rice, and under your eye winds a limpid
stream, spanned here and there by slender bamboo