INSECT LIFE — BIRDS. 
389 
the valley of Cassange. Insects are very numerous after 
the rains coinmeuce. While waiting by the elephant, I 
observed a great number of insects, like grains of fine sand, 
moving on my boxes. On examination with a glass, four 
species were apparent: one of green and gold preening its 
wings, which glanced in the sun with metallic lustre; an- 
other clear as crystal ; a third of the color of vermilion ; 
and a fourth black. These are probably some of thosa 
which consume the seeds of every plant that grows. 
Almost every kind has its own peculiar insect, and when 
the rains are over very few seeds remain untouched. The 
rankest poisons, as the kongwhane and euphorbia, are soon 
devoured ; the former lias a scarlet insect ; and even the fiery 
bird’s-eye pepper, which will keep otf many others from their 
own seeds, is itself devoured by a maggot. I observed here, 
what I had often seen before, that certain districts abound 
in centipedes. Here they have light reddish bodies and 
blue legs: great myriapedes are seen crawling everywhere. 
Although they do no harm, they excite in man a feeling of 
loathing. Perhaps our appearance produces a similar feel- 
ing in the elephant and other large animals. Where they 
have been much disturbed, they certainly look upon us with 
great distrust, as the horrid biped that ruins their peace. 
In the quietest parts of the forest there is heard a faint 
but distinct hum, which tells of insect joy. One may see 
many whisking about in the clear sunshine in patches 
among the green glancing leaves; but there are invisible 
myriads working with never-tiring mandibles on leaves 
and stalks and beneath the soil. They are all brimful of 
enjoyment. Indeed, the universality of organic life maj 
be called a mantle of happy existence encircling the world, 
and imparts the idea of its being caused by the conscious- 
ness of our benignant Father’s smile on all the works of 
his hands. 
The birds of the tropics lmvo been described as generally 
wanting in power of song. I was decidedly of opinion 
that this was not applicable to many parts in Londa, 
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