CHAP. VI k] fangerango mount Jiy. 115 



General and a branch of tbe Botanic Gardens are situated 

 here, the keeper of which accommodated me with a hed 

 for a niglit There are many beautiful trees and shrubs 

 planted here, and hirge quantities of European vegetables 

 are grown for the Governnr-Genetal's table. By the side 

 of a little ton-ent that bordered tbe garden, quantities of 

 orchids were cultivated, attached to the trunks of trees, or 

 suspended from the branches, forming an interesting open- 

 air orchid-bouse. As I intended to stay two or three 

 nights on the mountain I engaged two coolies to cairy my 

 baggage, and with my two hunters we started early the 

 next morning. The first mile was over open country, 

 which brought ua to the forest that covers the whole 

 mountain from a height of about 5,000 feet The next 

 mile or two was a tolerably steep ascent through a grand 

 virgin forest, the trees being of great size, and the under- 

 growth consisting of fine herbaceous plants, tree-ferns, 

 and shrubby vegetation. I was stnick by the immense 

 number of ferns that grew by the side of the road. Their 

 variety seemed endless, and I was continually stopping to 

 admire some new and interesting forms. I could now well 

 undei-stand what I had been told by the gardener, that 

 300 species had been found on this one mountain. A 

 little before noon we reached the small plateau of Tjiburong 

 at the foot of the steeper part of the mountain, where 

 there is a plank-house for the accommodation of travellers. 

 Close by is a picturesque waterfall and a curious cavern, 

 wMch I had not time to explore. Continuing our ascent 

 the road l>ecame narrow, nigged and steep, windmg zigzag 

 up the cone, which is covered with irregular masses of 

 rock, and overgrown with a dense luxuriant but less lofty 

 vegetation. We passed a torrent of water which is not 

 much lower than the boiling point, and has a most singular 

 appearance as it foams over its rugged bed, sending up 

 clouds of steam, and often concealed by the overhanging 

 herbage of fema and lycopodia, which here thrive with 

 more luxuriance than elsewhere. 



At about 7,600 feet we came to another hut of open 

 bamboos, at a place called Kandang Badak, or " Ehinoceros- 

 field," wtdch we were going to make our temporary alx)de. 

 Here was a small clearing, with abundance of tree-feraa 



i2 



