:::::::::C THE HOT LANDS OF THE PACIFIC m::::::::: 



likely to take note of the struggles to the death, going 

 on all about us, as the various forms of vegetation 

 fought for space and light. Because the movements 

 and the tightening of the great liana coils were slower 

 than any serpent, no less was death in their grip. Oc- 

 topus-like, they reached upward and dangled their 

 tendrils over every twig, shutting out with their leaves 

 the life-o'ivino; sunlio-ht. 



These vines seemed of interminable lenj^th and of 

 incalculable age. In certain places, huge regular coils 

 lay along the ground, like giant hollow screws. A 

 careful search showed that once these screws embraced 

 some mighty tree, which, suffocated and killed, had 

 given way and crashed to the ground, carrying with it 

 its destroyer. Soon decay and insects attacked its 

 fallen trunk and it sank and merged into the mould. 



The vine, unharmed, had bent pliantly, as its victim 

 fell to earth, and with insatiable fingers reached out 

 for other prey. When at last the first light touch of 

 its delicate tendrils felt their way to another trunk, we 

 could almost imagine a shudder of terror agitating the 

 doomed tree. And then the vine grew even more rapidly, 

 vitalized by the decaying body of its first victim which 

 was slowly falling into dust and loam. Here and there 

 a sapling had been passed by the outreaching vine, as 

 if it voluntarily sought a worthier prey. 



The new branches, which the trees sent out to escape 

 the embrace of death, were pitiful. The trunk seemed 



<^ 311 #* 



