108 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR chap. iv. 



fronds of this truly elegant class of plants, which were here so 

 abundant as to impart the charm of their own peculiar cha- 

 racter to the foliage of the forest in which they grew. 



At the time of my visit to this station, having found my 

 health somewhat affected by the oppressive heat of the wea- 

 ther, I gladly took up my abode for some time with Madame 

 Midland, at La Jara, situated at the foot of the Peter Botte 

 Mountain, about six miles from Port Louis, and about as far 

 from the missionary station. This kind lady received me 

 very cordially, as I had before paid her a visit in company 

 with Mr. Kelsey, who usually devoted the days observed as 

 holidays in the government offices to pleasant excursions into 

 the country with his family. I did not, therefore, feel my- 

 self a stranger in the place. 



The mountain scenery in this neighbourhood was peculiarly 

 rich and beautiful, and I found my health improved during 

 the short time I remained in the valley. On the occasion of 

 my visit with Mr. Kelsey, I had accompanied him and his 

 youngest son to Creve Coeur, a sort of pass on the lowest part 

 of the ridge separating the valley from the plain leading to 

 Moka; I have rarely enjoyed a mountain excursion more. 

 Our way was a winding path made by naked feet over rocks, 

 and stones, and streams, passing little low cane or bamboo 

 walled cottages, and through gardens of lentils, pumpkins, 

 cucumbers, sweet potatoes, bananas, and maize. Here and 

 there the men were working in their gardens, and the women 

 washing linen in the rippling stream, or at the edge of a 

 naturally formed basin, into which the water from the higher 

 parts of the mountain flowed in miniature falls. The people 

 appeared to be chiefly Chinese, Africans, or Malagasy, and 

 Indians; the latter most numerous. Their children — num- 

 bers of whom were seen aboiit the huts — were not overbur- 

 thened with clothing, but had splendid heads of jetty hair, 

 and were decorated with silver chains or rings in great abund- 

 ance on their necks, waists, arms, wrists, ankles, and toes. 



