180 J A FA. [chap. vii. 



next morning. The first mile was over open country, 

 which brought us to the forest that covers the whole 

 mountain from a height of about 5,000 feet. The next 

 mile or two was a tolerably steep ascent through a grand 

 virgin forest, the trees being of great size, and the under- 

 growth consisting of fine herbaceous plants, tree-ferns, 

 and shrubby vegetation. I was struck by the immense 

 number of ferns that grew by the side of the road. Their 

 variety seemed endless, and I was continually stopping to 

 admire some new and interesting forms. I could now well 

 understand what I had been told by the gardener, that 

 300 species had been found on this one mountain. A 

 little before noon we reached the small plateau of Tjiburong, 

 at the foot of the steeper part of the mountain, where 

 there is a plank-house for the accommodation of travellers. 

 Close by is a picturesque waterfall and a curious cavern, 

 which I had not time to explore. Continuing our ascent 

 the road became narrow, rugged and steep, winding zigzag 

 up the cone, which is covered with irregular masses of 

 rock, and overgrown with a dense luxuriant but less lofty 

 vegetation. We passed a torrent of water which is not 

 much lower than the boiling point, and has a most singular 

 appearance as it foams over its rugged bed, sending up 

 clouds of steam, and often concealed by the overhanging 

 herbage of ferns and lycopodia, which here thrive with 

 more luxuriance than elsewhere. 



