68 APES AND MONKEYS 



I lived so long, I shall endeavor to picture some character- 

 istic spots. 



Spread over a vast extent of the low delta region near 

 the coast is a growth of gigantic trees, from five to eight 

 feet in diameter near the base and growing to a height of 

 eighty or a hundred feet, having long, spreading boughs 

 and broad, dark foliage. This growth of trees is sufficiently 

 dense to constitute a great forest. The intertwining boughs 

 and the dense leaves form an impenetrable canopy, spread- 

 ing for miles in all directions. This is called the " great 

 forest." Between the stalks and under the boughs of this 

 forest is another growth of trees varying in diameter from 

 one to two feet at the base and reaching to a height of 

 forty, fifty, or sixty feet. This growth alone would consti- 

 tute another forest as dense as were those of North America 

 before the visitation of the white man. This growth is 

 called the "'middle forest.'' Under this is another growth, 

 consisting of palms, vines, shrubs, and bushes of almost 

 every kind. This growth is so dense, so matted and so 

 intertwined as to be in places quite impassable by any liv- 

 ing creature, except bv slimy reptiles, small rodents, ven- 

 omous insects, and creeping things of many kinds. This 

 is called the "'under forest." The three combined growths 

 together properly constitute the jungle. From the boughs 

 of the taller trees hang long pendants of moss and vines, 

 and from bough to bough han°; graceful festoons of the 

 same. These are frequently adorned with delicate ferns and 

 great clusters of gorgeous orchids. So dense and luxuriant 

 is the vegetation in many parts of the forest that no ray of 

 sunlight ever penetrates it, and in its dark, damp grottoes, 



