102 FORESTS OF BRAZIL. 



and the carmine-colored lichens, which invest the trunks 

 and bark, all mingle in brilliant confusion, forming groups 

 finely contrasted and diversified. The gigantic height of 

 the palms, with their varying crowns, give to these forests 

 an incomparable majesty. All these are interwoven with 

 a net work of creeping and climbing plants, so close as to 

 form round the tree a verdant wall, which the eye is un- 

 able to penetrate ; and many of the flowering species, that 

 climb up the trunks, spread forth and present the ap- 

 pearance of parterres hanging in the air. These woods 

 are not a silent scene, unless during the deepest heat of 

 noon, but are crowded and rendered vocal by the greatest 

 variety of the animal tribes. Birds of the most singular 

 forms and most superb plumage flutter through the bushes. 

 The toucan rattles his large hollow bill ; the busy orioles 

 creep out of their long pendant nests ; the amorous thrush, 

 the chattering manakin, the full tones of the nightingale, 

 amuse the hunter ; while the humming birds, rivalling in 

 lustre diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, hover round 

 the brightest flowers. Myriads of the most brilliant bee- 

 tles buzz in the air ; and the gayest butterflies, rivalling 

 m splendor the colors of the rainbow, flutter from flower 

 to flower. Meanwhile the beautiful, but sometimes dan- 

 gerous, race of lizards and serpents, exceeding in splen- 

 dor the enamel of the flowers, glide out of the leaves and 

 hoUows of the trees. Troops of squirrels and monkeys leap 



