108 A PLANTATION IN A TROPICAL FOREST 
the mountain top, one goes down to tropic heat. The dry 
air of the plateau gives place to a moist almost steamy at- 
mosphere as of a greenhouse, and the bare stretches of grey- 
brown plains give place to a vivid green foliage as of a hot- 
house. The century-plant has disappeared, coffee, bananas 
and all manner of tropical fruits have taken its place. 
From the mountain wall to the warm, low country, it is a 
step from the far north to the tropic. It is the warm 
country that is chiefly interesting tome. The high table 
land is the cold country Tierra Fria. It is rarely cold 
enough for snow except in the mountain tops, but never 
excessively warm. ‘The warm country, or Tierra Caliente 
along the coast, is perpetual summer. The Tierra Temp- 
lada, or temperate country, is perpetual spring. The warm 
country has a dreadful reputation for unhealthiness that it 
doesn’t at all deserve. It abounds in many annoying 
insects and many dangerous wild animals, but it is a 
country of such exuberant life, such richness, variety and 
splendor of leaf and flower that it must attract any lover of 
nature. Here animal and vegetable life seem to reach their 
extreme development, unchecked by winter colds or by 
drouth. Ina warm, moist atmosphere, as of a hot-house, 
whatever splendor of color or form can be reached by the 
vegetable kingdom can be attained here. One passes 
through miles of coffee plantation, diversified by orange and 
lemon and bananas, and finally one reaches districts where 
there are thousands of acres of untouched forest. From 
here comes our mahogany and Spanish cedar, and through 
this country grow the trees from which are derived India 
Rubber. 
This country is inhabited by a gentle, mild-eyed race 
of Indians, among the most intelligent and likeable of all 
the Indian tribes. They are divided into many tribes, but 
in general character they are more manageable and less 
fierce than their neighbors of the plateau, and beyond com- 
parison more tractable than the Indians who live in 
Canada. 
