Chapter III. 



very considei'able size. The principal species are acacia, 

 mimosa, euphorbia, erithryua, and spathodea, both these last 

 with brilliant scarlet flowers. 



At tlie loot of these trees, among the brushwood and low 

 plants, is nearly always to be found one of those curious cones 

 constructed by termites which characterize all Central African 

 landscapes. It would seem as if some reason must exist for 

 their invai-iuljle connection with these isolated groups of trees. 

 Possibly tlie termites, by collecting earth in one spot, favour 

 the development of buslies and creeping plants, which in their 

 turn serve to shelter the growth of some forest tree until its 

 roots are firmly established in the soil. 



The forest zones in tlie valleys along tlie brooks are 

 I'eal oases of virgin forest. The luxuriant trees over a 

 humhed feet high, diverse species of acacias, majestic palms 

 (Borassus and Rapliia), cassia and dracsena, are overgrown with 

 climbing plants, and entwined witli the long rojies of giant 

 lianas. Troops of monkeys are fi'equently seen leaping from 

 branch to liranch witli shrill cries. The white-tailed Colobus is 

 the commonest species. The forest soil, even on days of blazing 

 sunshine, remains damp and elastic. Off the path the whole 

 ground is one carpet of deep moss. 



The contrast with the open tracts enhances the charm of the 

 forests. After crossing a slope scorched by the sun, the 

 traveller enters into the jirofomid sliade heavy A\itli the 

 perfumes of acacia, mimosa, jasmine, and lionevsuckle. 



The district is fairly populous, but the inhabitants are so 

 hidden away among their banana groves and impenetrable 

 grasses that it is possible to pass quite close to villages 

 without noticing them. They consist of clusters of huts 

 usually situated half-way up a liill, surroimded bv tufts of 



