JN SUMATIiA. ' 209 



feet I siiddeiily emerged on tlie edge of one of the many 

 gorges which deeply grooved the side of the mountain, and 

 stood clear of the tall forest 



During my progress through the lower zones few insects, 

 but some very interesting forms of birds, Imd been noticed. 

 Besides the species I have mentioned above, T shot a rare 

 grass warbler {Suya alUgiildris)^ previously known only from 

 Sumatra, by one example from Acheen, in the north of thn 

 island ; and twittering in low bashes a little fly-catch(*r, not 

 before taken in this ishmd — CuUcicapa cefjlonm^h. At 

 5000 feet, hopping about on fallen logs, dotl-nng in the low 



bush tangle, a black chat-thrush {Bmchjpterifx atratas) vrith 

 a bright white line over the eye, fell to my gun, which was 

 not my luck in regard to the beautiful Paradise fly-catcher 

 (Terpsf/pJwne affinis) which I saw — a pure white bird with 

 long black-shafted tail-feathers, named by the natives TJabU 

 Kapan which signifies the white cloth in which the dead are 

 wrapped, as they believe that he by whom it is seen has not 

 long to live. 



At 8600 feet the tall forest suddenly ceased, and among my 

 feet I found some splended ericas of various species, the most 

 conspicuous being that which the natives have named "Tree 

 of the long age" {Kayii parijang wnoor), a new species (Vac- 

 cinium forhesii), and one of the most handsome of its genus. 

 It was first met with as a shrub, low and compact, but 500 feet 

 higher it became a tree with a circumference of four feet. 

 This, with the scarlet rhododendron already mentioned, and 

 many species of ferns, monopolised the mountain up to 9000 

 feet, where I gathered, with perhaps more satisfaction still, a 

 wee species of Gentian that expanded its blue flowers on the 



bare earthy banks. 



To obtain the full pleasure of the climb, the day must be 

 perfectly clear, such as the first day of 3Iay on which I made 

 my most memorable ascent. It was one of the few a!)soluteIy 

 rainless days of my stay. When that height was attained 

 where the forest dwindled to a shrubbery, every foot of ascent 

 added to the grandeur of our outlook and to the number of 

 the peaks on peaks that came in view, along whose flanks the 

 clouds rolled upwards in white humps and scuds, in striking 

 contrast with the intense cobalt blue of their crests towering 



