VILLAGE OP NISI-BAMA. 
265 
steep wooded hills were very curiously cultivated 
in terraces, causing them to resemble so many 
verdant amphitheatres. We passed through a 
wicket, ascendent a steep path through a grove of 
fine trees, and found it led to the trunk of a 
gigantic bastard-banyan or Ficus nitida, evidently 
a sacred tree, for the base was covered with paper 
effigies and other votive offerings, and a little gaudy 
joss was discovered squatting in a niche. On re- 
gaining the village we found the people very civil, 
though rather in awe of the foreigners, possibly the 
first of our race they had ever seen. Their houses 
were neatly built, Avith tiled roofs, and Avith com- 
fortable sheds for horses, coavs, and pigs. Dried 
squids abounded, and from the projecting rafters 
of a gable-end I observed a grotesque-looking dried 
shark’s head, evidently the trophy of adventurous 
fishermen. Entering the abode so decorated, I en- 
countered an aged crone poundiug the daily rice. 
She was inclined to be in a rage at my intrusion, 
but displaying in my manner as much of the 
“ suaviter in modo ” as possible, I effected the 
