THE TROPICAL ZONE. 219 



To the green islands in the bay we must also pay a visit. 

 The vigour and luxuriance of their vegetation, occasioned 

 by the low, damp situation, combined with great heat, ex- 

 cites our wonder. The trees are the same as those we meet 

 with on the continent, but there is a far greater number of 

 Palms in proportion, especially of the Cabbage-palm. In 

 the midst of this luxuriance " the images of death and of 

 the most vigorous life pass in rapid succession before the 

 eye of the wanderer; new forms continually arising and 

 flowering upon the remains of those that have fallen to de- 

 cay. Upon and near the largest trunks, which, stretched 

 out like enormous skeletons, suddenly return to the state of 

 vegetable earth, a multitude of many- coloured Fungi spring 

 up, an innumerable quantity of seeds shoot at the same 

 time, and unfold themselves with incredible rapidity. The 

 few spots which are clear of forest and which have not been 

 brought into cultivation are marsh-lands or savannahs : the 

 grass grows extremely thick, and attains a surprising height 

 and juiciness/' 



One beautiful flower, belonging to the Iris tribe, which 

 we often find growing amongst the bushes in these islands, 

 must be mentioned, because it has now become an ornament 

 of European gardens (though in England only a stove plant), 



