THE VOL<AXIC CA1U1513EES 32'J 



When thus viewed the islands appear as Edensof Loveliness. 

 Their general t<>ne is fresh and green, <>r, in comparison 

 with t he other islands, more Bomber, for the glaring whites 

 so conspicuous where Limestones and shell-sand abound 

 are entirely missing here. 



While precipitous to an astonishing degree, they are not 

 craggy or angular, bui rise in greal curves and slopes to 

 the rounded summits of the high mornes which crown 

 them. These mountains are peaks, bul not pointed, and 

 while appearing everywhere, they do not occur in regular 

 crests or ridges, hut arc arranged in intangible masses. 

 From the sea the slopes appear so steep that the beholder 

 constantly wonders how human beings can find upon thcin 

 foothold to till the cultivated areas or to travel from place 

 to place through the jungle of verdure; yet one will see 

 here and there, surrounded by the more somber forests, 

 bright patches of green cane accompanied by Large groups 

 of houses. In addition to its own matchless verdure, each 

 island is ornamented with palms, roses, and exotic plants 

 brought from all parts of the world by the former inhabi- 

 tants. Here the gigantic banian of India grows beside the 

 African date-tree and the traveler's palm of Madagascar. 



Ashore, so far as nature is concerned, the illusion is not 

 dispelled. The vast monies, cliffs, and ravines are decked 

 with every delicate species of deciduous vegetation, from 

 ferns that entangle the feet to forest giants that cast their 

 shade from high overhead. These are moistened by gen- 

 tle daily rains, giving the delicious odors and asped of a 

 Landscape after a summer shower. Nature has been no 

 less generous in her bestowal of limpid waters than in her 

 vegetal bounties; everywhere there are running streams, 



springs, fountains, and cascades, so copious and abundant 



that it is a matter of wonder how Watersheds so small can 



supply them. The picturesque houses of the European 

 residents, buill in the styles <t' former centuries, ami the 

 varied dress and habits of the peculiar people are ever 



interesting, especially in the five central islands of the 



