216 JAVA VEGETATION. 



The famous botanical garden, which lias the reputa- 

 tion of being the finest in the world, is in close 

 proximity to the park. Here acres of land are laid out 

 apportioned to the different groups of plants and trees. 

 A large space is occupied by palms of every kind, from 

 the majestic taliput to the common date, also the 

 pretty fern tree {Alsophila latehrosa) is seen here in its 

 full development. Entire avenues are formed of 

 poisonous trees, a single fruit of which or the chewing 

 of a leaf would speedily despatch a man into the other 

 world. Orchids and pitcher- plants [Nepenthes) of 

 almost incredible beauty, not to be surpassed even in 

 the West Indies, where the swampy ground and hot 

 damp climate particularly favours their gro"v\^h. 

 Creepers, water plants, — an enormous Victoria regia, 

 completely putting Mr. Whampoa's specimen at Singa- 

 pore into the shade, — and every variety of plant 

 enjoying the privilege of Latin denomination. 

 Amongst this tropical vegetation I noticed a perfect 

 menagerie of leaf insects, which, unless already known 

 to the visitor, he would hardly detect at a glance, so 

 like are they to the actual leaves amongst which they 

 house ; the very network of veins, and frequently the 

 very spots of partial decay, are here reproduced to a 

 nicety. Whilst walking along the main alley of 

 gigantic rasimalas (Liquidamhar estingaria), I made 



