:::;:::::ii: THE TROPICS Bs;::;::;: 



time we rolled up in our blankets for the night, some 

 new creature came to investig'ate the strang-e white 

 things which were so tantalizing to the curiosity of the 



THE GIANT FIG-TREE 



wild kindred. The sound of even the lightest breath 

 of wind, sifting through the finely divided leaves of 

 the mimosas and palm fronds, was as different as pos- 

 sible from the sighing of pines or the rustle of ordin- 

 ary foliage. It was a soothing, softly sighing sound, 

 which will ever be the background in our memory 

 of tropical voices. The foxes of this region were no 

 ghosts, but given to frequent sharp barking and silent, 

 nervous scurrying up and down our little glade. 



«4 271 ^ 



