m THE JUNGLE 



consists of clearing land and planting crops in due 

 order, but in leaving the forest proper as it is, and 

 in planting foodstuffs haphazard wherever a tiny 

 space can be made for even three hills of corn or a 

 i single banana. Thus they add to rather than sub- 

 tract from the typical density of the jungle. At first, 

 we found, it took some practice to tell a farm when 

 we saw it. 



From the track narrow little paths wound im- 

 mediately out of sight. Sometimes we saw a wisp 

 of smoke rising above the undergrowth and eddying 

 in the tops of the trees. Long vine ropes swung 

 from point to point, hung at intervals with such 

 matters as feathers, bones, miniature shields, carved 

 sticks, shells and clappers: either as magic or to 

 keep off the birds. From either side the track 

 \ve were conscious always of bright black eyes watch- 

 ing us. Sometimes we caught a glimpse of their 

 owners crouched in the bush, concealed behind ba- 

 nana leaves, motionless and straight against a tree 

 trunk. When they saw themselves observed they 

 vanished without a sound. 



The upper air was musical with birds, and bright 

 with the flutter of their wings. Rarely did we see 

 them long enough to catch a fair idea of their size 

 and shape. They flashed from shade to shade, 

 leaving only an impression of brilliant colour. 



227 



