3*8 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



does not cafily penetrate, we remarked with 

 aftonifhment the brilliancy of the colours of fe- 

 veral fpecies of paralitica! plants of the family 

 of the orchis, for the moft part adhering to the 

 trunks of the biggeft trees. In the more open 

 fpots, we faw riling the tree of the family of 

 the aral'ia, designated by the name of cujfonia 

 ttyrfiflora, whofe large palmated leaves consti- 

 tuted the ornament of thefe woods. 



Among the great number of lizards engaged 

 in the purfuit of infects, I admired the nimble- 

 nefs of that which is called the flying lizard (draco 

 voJans, Linn.) : it was during the greatelt heat 

 of the day, that this pretty animal was darting 

 with rapidity from branch to branch, extending 

 two membranes, in the form of wings, by means 

 of which it fupportcd itfelf from time to time in the 

 air. Nature having denied it the mufcles neceflary 

 for flapping thefe forts of wings, it can only 

 fpread them in order that they may counteract 

 the rapidity of its fall. It gives itfelf with its 

 hind feet an impulfe, which, without preventing 

 it from defcending, fomctimes carries it feveral 

 meters: for this purpofe it raifes itfelf to a height 

 nearly equal to the diftance of the point to which, 

 it wiflies to fly. 



On my return I wiflied to cut fome branches 

 of different plants, cultivated in a garden be- 

 longing to one of the natives of the ifland; but 



thofe 



