268 ORIENTAL FORESTS. 



when cut through, will, it is said, furnish an abundance of 

 clear water, and in the same paper is mentioned a certain 

 creeping plant, termed " Bahaumpul ", which, on being 

 divided, yields a quantity of slightly gummy water. 



Although forest-scenery, with its luxuriant vegetation 

 has been so often, and so well described, I cannot resist 

 the inclination to give my own impression of those vast 

 and solemn temples " not made with hands ", which will, 

 moreover, tend to show the great similarity which exists 

 with respect to the grander and more important features 

 between all primeval forests, whether in the Eastern 

 Archipelago or in the Western Hemisphere. 



In the forests of Celebes, Mindanao, and Borneo, 

 besides the eternal ringing song of the shrill Cicada, a 

 solitary note is sometimes heard from some high tree- 

 top, or a loud, long whine, from the depths of the dark 

 and sombre forest. The aged trunks are hung with 

 Orchideous epiphytes, and variegated with Lichens, while 

 on the humid soil, dark fetid Fungi, nauseous, and mis- 

 shapen, spread their dingy forms. A shy Lizard, scaling 

 a naked trunk, or huge Mattes, running among the dead 

 leaves, will startle you for a moment. The Honey-Bee 

 secures its hoard high in the summit of some leafy bough; 

 the White- Ant builds its cumbrous nest about the knotted 

 roots; and, in among the tangled maze, huge Spiders 

 spin their subtle toils. Here and there, the ground is 

 furrowed by the Wild Boar's snout, or, where the Man- 

 groves spread their roots, painted Gelasimi, or Land- 

 Crabs, holding up their one huge pincer, in a manner 

 perfectly ludicrous, though meant to be threatening, are 

 scampering about in all directions. Occasionally you 



