CHAP. V. PORTRAITS OF NATIVE WOMEN. 137 



paper, most of which I succeeded in bringing home as illus- 

 trations of the rich and novel forms of vegetation, as well as 

 the general beauty of the country. One or two views of 

 forest scenery, in which the large trees are covered with 

 Orchidaceous and other plants, some of them in full blossom, 

 are remarkably striking. 



What effect coloured landscapes, or other views of natural 

 objects, might produce upon the natives, I am unable to say; 

 but it was curious to notice the intense interest excited by the 

 portraits, and the different effect produced by the view of a 

 group of trees, or flowers, a house, or any other inanimate 

 object. In the former the features, the aspect, the dress, the 

 ornaments, and all the little accompaniments were subjects 

 of curious examination and animated remark by wives and 

 children, as well as companions or friends. One man had a 

 mole on his cheek, and, as it was on the side next the light, it 

 came out clear and strong ; nothing excited more remark than 

 this. I saw the man himself, after feeling the mole on his 

 cheek with his finger, go to touch the mole on the picture 

 hanging up to dry, exclaiming, " How very wonderful ! I never 

 felt anything here," putting his finger to the mole on his cheek, 

 " and yet there it is," pointing to the picture. But the form 

 of a building, the shades in a flower, the perspective of a land- 

 scape, seemed to excite no interest. Another phase of human 

 character, peculiar perhaps to no country, but rather common 

 to all, was the evident anxiety about personal appearance, 

 when that was to be regarded by others or perpetuated. I 

 never suggested the arrangement of the dress or the hair; 

 but rarely found any one come and sit for a likeness without 

 giving some previous attention to one or both. Even the 

 labouring woman, returning from work in the field, with her 

 child at her back, as shown on the adjoining page, when 

 asked if she would have her likeness taken, adjusted her 

 burden before having her tout ensemble rendered permanent. 



