This Tree, Which Grows Rapidly, Is So
Well Adapted To Our Climate That I Wonder It Has Not Been
Introduced On A Large Scale, As It May Be Seen By Everybody In Kew
Gardens.
There is another tree with orbicular leaves in pairs,
which grows to an immense size.
From this valley a worn-out, stony bridle-track ascends the western
side of Lebungetoge, climbing through a dense forest of trees and
trailers to a height of about 2000 feet, where, contented with its
efforts, it reposes, and, with only slight ups and downs, continues
along the top of a narrow ridge within the seaward mountains,
between high walls of dense bamboo, which, for much of that day's
journey, is the undergrowth alike of mountain and valley, ragged
peak, and rugged ravine. The scenery was as magnificent as on the
previous day. A guide was absolutely needed, as the track ceased
altogether in one place, and for some time the horses had to
blunder their way along a bright, rushing river, swirling rapidly
downwards, heavily bordered with bamboo, full of deep holes, and
made difficult by trees which have fallen across it. There Ito,
whose horse could not keep up with the others, was lost, or rather
lost himself, which led to a delay of two hours. I have never seen
grander forest than on that two days' ride.
At last the track, barely passable after its recovery, dips over a
precipitous bluff, and descends close to the sea, which has
evidently receded considerably.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 396 of 417
Words from 108936 to 109189
of 115002