320 A DAT IN THE WOODS OF JAMAICA. 



again, the prospect is bounded to a few yards : on one 

 side an almost perpendicular limestone cliff, covered 

 with gorgeous-flowered twiners, and gay with butter- 

 flies and gilded beetles ; with prickly aloes, and dwarf 

 fan-palms, growing in the crevices ; and on the lower 

 side a wilderness of bush, with here and there the 

 broad flag-like leaves of a banana, or the glorious 

 pyramid of pink blossom of a mountain-pride break- 

 ing the uniformity, or the slender stem of a cabbage- 

 palm lifting its shining crown loftily above the mass. 

 Now the forest boughs are meeting over our heads, 

 shutting out the sky, and making a grateful green- 

 wood shade ; and now we are passing along one of 

 those pleasant bamboo walks that are so characteristic 

 of the steep mountain roads in this island. These 

 have been planted by man, for the preservation of the 

 roads, which are scarped out of the rocky face of the 

 hill. The gradual disintegration of the exterior edge 

 of the road from external causes, such as the weather 

 and the wear of travelling, would soon destroy its 

 level, and necessitate the cutting of it afresh. To 

 prevent this, it is found sufficient to lay down lengths 

 of green bamboo just below the edge of the road, 

 along the mountain side, and cover them with earth. 

 These germinate at every joint ; roots strike into the 

 earth, binding it firmly ; and a rampart of young 

 shoots springs up, which, increasing every year in 

 number and size, effectually prevent the crumbling 

 away of the edge, and by throwing their feathery 

 arches over the road, form beautiful green avenues, 



