BUTTERFLIES 21 



and always we hear the whirr and hum of insect hfe, 

 sometimes soft and soothing, sometimes harsh and 

 strident. And floating about wherever we look are 

 butterflies innumerable, many dull and unpreten- 

 tious, but some of a briUiancy of colour that makes 

 us gasp with pleasure. 



We may be pouring with perspiration, pestered 

 by flies and mosquitoes, and in constant dread of 

 leeches. But we forget all such annoyances in the 

 joy of these wonders of the tropics, whether they be 

 trees or orchids, ferns or butterflies. And to see 

 one of these gorgeous insects alight in front of us, 

 slowly raise and lower his wings and turn himself 

 about almost as if he were showing himself off for our 

 especial pleasure, compensates us for every worry 

 his fellows in the insect world may cause us. 



As might be expected, in the steamy, dripping 

 atmosphere ferns are a predominating feature in the 

 vegetation. Not less than two hundred different 

 kinds are found. The most noticeable are the tree 

 ferns, of which alone there are eight species. Their 

 average height is about 20 feet, but plants of 40 and 

 50 feet are not uncommon. And with their tall 

 trunks and crown of immense graceful fronds 

 they form a striking feature in the forest, and in 

 the moister valleys where they attain their full 

 luxuriance they may be seen in extensive groves as 

 well as in little groups. Four kinds of maidenhair, 

 always light and graceful and* attractive, are found ; 

 and of ferns common to Europe, Osmunda regdlis, 

 the Royal fern of Europe, and the European 

 moonwort and alder 's-tongue ferns. Then there 

 is a fern which attains to gigantic proportions, 



4 



