IN THE SWAMP. 225 



below the surface, its green tracery contrasting 

 with the ruddy-brown fluid in which it is merged. 

 Then we have the Cabomba, with pretty floating 

 shields and finely divided foliage of a circular out- 

 line below, which reminds us of a patch of miniature 

 buttercups. Unlike the water-lily and its con- 

 geners, these plants are particularly delicate and 

 fragile, yet they flourish to perfection, notwith- 

 standing that their stems are torn to pieces by 

 every flood. Every tiny piece is the parent of a 

 host and the raging waters only serve to dissemi- 

 nate it in all directions, to again come to the front 

 when the creek resumes its wonted stillness. 



The swamp is not entirely devoid of trees. 

 Besides the eta palm, the Genipa, the fruit of 

 which is used by the Indians to make the blue- 

 black markings on their skins, and the Tabebuia 

 a species of Bignoniae, are common. Then there 

 is a host of other species all more or less suited 

 to the swamp and never found in the forest 

 proper. At first sight they appear sickly, and 

 might be taken to indicate a passive endurance of 

 unsuitable conditions. Unlike the giants of the 

 forest they have no dense canopy of foliage far 

 above the ground, but are beset with gnarled 

 branches almost down to the level of the water. 

 Then, their twigs are open and their leaves com- 

 15 



