56 The Gardens of the Sim. [ch. iv. 



in the neighbourhood, while the patches of graceful seed- 

 ling calami or rattan palms increase at every step, the 

 stones and trunks become moss-covered, and then at 

 last the " sound of many waters " breaks on our ears 

 with a cool and welcome noise, and a few minutes later 

 we have " struck " the stream, as it rushes and sparkles 

 amongst mossy and water-worn boulders down an open 

 and sunny ravine. Some of the larger rocks are covered 

 with a palm-like fern (Polypodium bifurcatum) ; and 

 filmy ferns, of the most delicate form and texture, 

 abound on the dripping stones. 



As we sit down on the rocks, a small flock of gigantic 

 hornbills " saw the air " with their great wings far above 

 us, making a noise almost like a locomotive engine in 

 their flight. Butterflies come with wobbling motion down 

 the sunny clearing, formed by the shallow stream ; and, 

 as we are intent on the cold fowl and coffee, which forms 

 our breakfast, the sanguinary stains on our white trousers 

 prove that the wily jungle-leech has not been unmindful 

 of his morning meal. How this little slimy monster loves 

 to gorge himself with gore ! The wonder, however, is 

 how they exist when men are absent from the jungle they 

 infest, as often happens. I susjDect that human blood 

 forms simply an accidental part of their supply. I know 

 they exact all they can from the water buffaloes ; and 

 perhaps even the astute monkey is made to pay toll by 

 these blood-suckers as often as may be. I have often 

 watched them, when aroused by footsteps, as attached 

 to a stick, or stone, or leaf, they wave their bodies about, 

 or walk towards you with a caterpillar-like motion, in 

 quest of happier hunting-grounds. A squeeze of wet 

 tobacco juice is the best plan of dislodging them from 

 your skin ; for if pulled oft', however deftly it be done, 

 there is a chance of a bit of their sucker apparatus 



