i8 WONDERS OF THE TROPICAL FORESTS, 
of tlie storm, while tlie lower atmosphere still lies in 
deep repose* The roaring and rushing descend lower 
and lower ; the higher hranches of the trees strike wildly 
against each other; the lurked lightning Hashes through 
the night-like darkness ; the thunder, repeated by a 
hundred echoes, rolls through the thicket ; and trees, 
uprooted by the fury of the storm, t\ii\ with a loud crash, 
bearing down every stem of minor gi'owth in their 
sweepiug ruin. The bowlings and wailings of terrified 
animals accompany the %vild sounds of tin* tempest. 
After the wet season the woods apjiear in their full 
beaaty. Before the lirst showers, the long-continned 
drought had withered their leaves, ami dried up many 
of the more delicate parasites, and during its continuance 
the torrents of rain despoiled tbem of all ornament; but 
when the clouds disperse, and the auimals come forth from 
their retreats to stretch their stiffened limbs in the warm 
sunsliiue, then also the vegetable world awakens to new 
life ; and wh&re, a few days before, the eye met ouly with 
green in every variety of shade, it now revels in the 
luxuriance of beautiful flowers, which embalm the air 
with exquisite fragrance. 
At this time of the year the banks of the rivers of 
Guiana winding through the primitive woods are of 
magical beauty. Through the underwood, which often 
overhangs wide spaces of the stream, the large white 
blossoms of the inga shine forth, alang with the scarlet 
brushes of the magDificent combrefcia. Elegant palms, 
armed with a panoply of thorns, and bearing a profusion 
of red fruit, rise above this lovely foregi-ound ; and farther 
on, noble forest trees are seen festooned with creepers and 
parasites covered with Oowers. 
These fairy bowers are enlivened by birds of splendid 
plumage, particularly in the early morning, when the 
luscious green of the high palm-lronds or the burning 
yellow of the lofty leopoldinias, touched by the first rays 
of the smij suddenly shines forth. Then hundreds of 
