126 VOYAGES OP A NATURALIST 



large quantity of rubber-trees were being imported 

 and planted, and these promised to do well. 



Mr. Meade-Waldo and I started out to pay our 

 visit early one morning. Driving from Mahe 

 to the foot of the cascade, we engaged two natives 

 to carry our baggage, and climbing up the winding 

 pathway to Mr. Thommasset's house — an exceed- 

 ingly steep ascent — we were immediately rewarded 

 for our exertions when we reached, just below the 

 house, a magnificent sheet of water which fell 

 in a glorious cascade over the brow of the hill 

 into the valley below. We stood for a time close 

 to the waterfall, and were deliciously cooled by 

 the refreshing spray as well as by the draught 

 made by the rush of the water. From this a few 

 minutes' walk brought us to the Cascade Estate. 

 The house, situated on a small plateau, com- 

 mands a splendid view ; the well- wooded ravine, 

 with its beautiful waterfall, runs sharply down 

 to the shore, while far away in the haze of distance 

 rises the island of Praslin, and, nearer, small 

 islets, covered with vegetation, stand out in clear 

 relief against the deep blue sea. 



Mr. Thommasset's estate is one of the best places 

 on the island in which to observe birds, but, 

 unfortunately, indigenous species are few. A 

 number of different kinds of " foreign " birds 

 have been introduced, and it is probably owing 

 to the excessive numbers of Indian mynahs that 

 the indigenous species are so scarce near the 



