HXPRDITION INTO INTERIOR SUMATRA, 59 
The tree-trunks are covered with many species of 
plants, belonging, it is true, to the same family, but varying 
infinitely in their development. Here are rattans twining 
round a tree like the boa round its prey. ‘There the akar 
lamboutow thick as man’s arm grows side by side with the 
rotan emboun as fine as thread. 
As has already been remarked, few large animals are 
met with in these regions. Sometimes one hears the shrill 
note of the argus pheasant. Occasionally a monkey is visible 
leaping and swinging from one branch to another. But as 
far as the smaller animals are concerned, an attentive explor- 
ermay observe much. Amongst insects, we found many 
whose only means of defence lay in their disguise, creatures 
which so much resemble, in form and colour, the earth and 
the plants amongst which they live as to be mistaken for them. 
They must have had many enemies to be obliged to assume 
this disguise in order that their species may preserveits vitality. 
Before ending this narrative, I must touch upon the 
charms which night offers amidst these forests. Hardly has 
the darkness set in andthe stars begun to gleam through 
the leafy roof than the forest is hghted up by a thousand 
fires which, at first stationary, seem to be resting in the tree 
tops in order to afterwards take flight in graceful curves, and 
at last be lost to sight, like shooting stars. 
Even the leaves, the dead twigs, the very soil itself, seem 
to give forth a phosphorescent radiance. This formless mass 
covering the earth, which but lately impeded our march, is 
now enveloped in a mysterious light; we might describe 
it as an encbanted garden, hke those of the Arabian stories, 
if this simile were not worn threadbare. 
It is unfortunate that this fairy-like scene is marred by 
the music of cicadae, which far from producing the harmoni- 
ous sounds which would be appropriate to wre belle nuit fantas- 
tique, assail our ears with piercing cries, uttered with 
demoniacal strength and a pertinacity only to Le paralleled 
by the bass notes in this impromptu concert which are sup- 
plied by the mountain torrent. 
Such are the sights that nature unfolded to us in Sumatra. 
It will easily be understood that we shall not readily forget 
them. 
