INSECT-LIFE — BIRDS. 389 



the valley of Cassange. Insects are very numerous after 

 the rains commence. "While waiting by the elephant, 1 

 observed a great number of insects, like grains of fine sand, 

 moving on my boxes. On examination with a glass, four 

 species were apparent : one of green and gold preening its 

 wings, which glanced in the sun with metallic lustre ; 

 another clear as crystal; a third of the color of vermilion ; 

 and a fourth black. These are probably some of those 

 which consume the seeds of every plant that grows. 

 Almost every kind has its own peculiar insect, and when 

 the rains are over very few seeds remain untouched. The 

 rankest poisons, as the kongwhane and euphorbia, are soon 

 devoured; the former has a scarlet insect; and even the fiery 

 bird's-eye pepper, which will keep off many others from their 

 own seeds, is itself devoured by a maggot. I observed here, 

 what I had often seen before, that certain districts abound 

 in centipedes. Here they have light reddish bodies and 

 blue legs: great myriapedes are seen crawling everywhere. 

 Although they do no harm, they excite in man a feeling of 

 loathing. Perhaps our appearance produces a similar feel- 

 ing in the elephant and other large animals. Where they 

 have been much disturbed, they certainly look upon us with 

 great distrust, as the horrid biped that ruins their peace. 

 In the quietest parts of the forest there is heard a faint 

 bat distinct hum, which tells of insect joy. One may see 

 many whisking about in the clear sunshine in patches 

 among the green glancing leaves; but there are invisible 

 myriads working with never-tiring mandibles on leaves 

 and stalks and beneath the soil. They are all brimful of 

 enjoyment. Indeed, the universality of organic life may 

 be called a mantle of happy existence encircling the world, 

 and imparts the idea of its being caused by the conscious- 

 ness of our benignant Father's smile on all the works of 

 his hands. 



The birds of the tropics have been described as generally 

 wanting in power of song. I was decidedly of opinion 



that this was not applicable to many parts in Londa, 



33* 



