CHAP, xxviii.] IN A NATIVE PRAU. 175 



where broken into jutting peaks and pinnacles, weather- 

 worn into sharp points and honeycombed surfaces, and 

 clothed throughout with a most varied and luxuriant 

 vegetation. The cliffs above the sea offered to our view 

 screw-pines and arborescent Liliaceae of strange forms, 

 mingled with shrubs and creepers ; while the liigher 

 slopes supported a dense growth of forest trees. Here and 

 there little bays and inlets presented beaches of dazzling 

 whiteness. The water was transparent as crystal, and tinged 

 the rock-strewn slope which plunged steeply into its 

 unfathomable depths with colours varying from emerald 

 to lapis-lazuli. The sea was calm as a lake, and the 

 glorious sun of the tropics threw a flood of golden light 

 over all. The scene was to me inexpressibly delightful. 

 I was in a new world, and could dream of the wonderful 

 productions hid in those rocky forests, and in those azure 

 abysses. But few European feet had ever trodden the 

 shores I gazed upon ; its plants, and animals, and men 

 were alike almost unknown, and I could not help specu- 

 lating on what my wanderings there for a few days might 

 brhig to light. 



