VILLAGES OF THE INTERIOR. 233 



stems, others with their fantastical ramifications, 

 were visible in one or two spots ; and, whilst passing 

 slowly through a teak forest I noticed a great variety 

 of orchids, mostly much larger than I had seen else- 

 where, and a fine purple pitcher plant. After having 

 reached an elevation of about 1,000 feet the country 

 again became more open, and an excellent system of 

 irrigation favoured the cultivation of rice, even here. 

 Villages sprang up in every direction ; the houses 

 built entirely of bamboo, not being so liable to injury 

 by earthquakes as stone houses are ; moreover, the 

 former material grows in such abundance that it is 

 used in every possible way. Every paddy field has 

 its little bamboo watch -kennel, similar in construction 

 to those the fishermen ei'ect on the shores of the 

 Bosphorus ; it is raised on four posts, some six or 

 eight feet from the ground, and covered with dried 

 palm leaves ; generally a little urchin is seen in it 

 pulling strings, with dry leaves knotted into them at 

 certain distances, which cross and recross the field 

 in every direction, and by their motion prevent the 

 legions of sparrows and white ibises from picking the 

 ripe ear. 



Natives of every degree joined the train, at the different 

 stations, many holding an official position as the large 

 umbrella, carried bv their attendant, indicated. This 



